EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Summer Sipping and Slipping
July/August 2026
Update from Eileen
Do you remember slipping down a water slide on the front yard? Maybe you just screamed and threw yourself face forward. Or if you were like me, a somewhat scaredy cat, plopped down on your bottom and pushed off? Ah those were the days!
Now, the grownup in me, prefers sipping a cool beverage and watching the sunset. (Though truth be told, I also relish my early morning runs along the beach and watching the sunrise.)
Whatever your preference, summer does offer a respite from the world of work, a chance for time away from the routine, or simply a backyard barbecue.
We all need to take time. The onslaught of horrid news continues non-stop. My activism still pushes me to work on reclaiming our democracy. But as I write this, I know we will all be in a better place if we stop, look, BREATHE, and listen to our hearts and not the news.
That’s it, dear readers. I’m taking a break to go work in my garden. As the old song goes, “See you in September.”
96% Rank Freedom as an Important American Value
Thanks to Jessica Craven, I have access to good news that can help all of us: Americans may often disagree on a number of issues, but according to a new Navigator poll, 96% rank freedom as an important American value.
Latest Test Scores for 9-Year vs 13-Year Olds
New federal test scores, released this week, show that younger students are gaining ground in both reading and math after years of decline.
And Now for Fun
If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
When you're finally holding all the cards, why does everyone else decide to play chess?
If you're living on the edge, make sure you're wearing your seat belt.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
It's not hard to meet expenses. They're everywhere.
JoySpan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half
I am blessed to have Dr. Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist, as a neighbor. But I was even more blessed to read her book and listen to a workshop she gave on her findings. Given the above stats about burnout and the prevailing negativity, I think her book is even more important, regardless of ones age!
I accept her premise that joy is a practice with four activities:
GROW—always be in a learning frame of mind, For me, I’m studying Spanish and hope to learn how to play pickle ball.
CONNECT—reach out to others. Being a loner is not conducive to mental or physical health. I admit that my work has pretty much kept me from this activity. I’ve joined a book club and I’m looking into volunteering with our local Sheriff’s department.
ADAPT – Rigidity only makes one stiff. I sometimes have a hard time thinking that there is “more than one right answer.”
GIVE—Time. Talent. And maybe treasure. It can be as simple as giving a smile to a stranger, learning people’s names so you can greet them, taking a cake to a sick neighbor, etc. You have the idea.
Meta Deletes Face-Recognition System From Its Smart Glasses App After WIRED Report
Meta deleted a facial recognition system from its smart glasses AI app after their latest code update was investigated by WIRED.
A Historic Speech by the Pope in Spain
Pope Leo XIV received a seven-minute standing ovation after he demanded respect for migrants in the first-ever papal address to Spanish lawmakers.
Judge Foils Another Feds' Attempt
A federal judge blocked the U.S. Forest Service from using Trump’s energy emergency order to fast-track the environmental and cultural review of a proposed 226-mile transmission line through the Nebraska Sandhills.
About Eileen
If you are looking for a unique keynote speaker in resiliency, a facilitator for executive retreats, a speech coach or an emcee/moderator, then you want to work with Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE. Eileen has spoken for audiences as large as 15,000 and facilitated groups as small as 18! She is the author of seven books and other products that you can find in her online store. The British Research firm of Global Gurus ranked her #4 among the top 30 communication gurus worldwide. Why not hire Eileen for your next event?
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again to vote for Global Gurus in various categories. I’ve been in the top 5 of Communication Gurus for many years. Global Gurus is a British research firm that goes out to some 20,000 people to determine standing.
Click below to nominate me as inspirational. It might ask you to log in using either Linked in or Google. You are asked to log in to assure people can only vote once. You’ll then see my face pop up along with other nominees. Select and then near the bottom, you can rank me as “inspirational ”or not.
Please let me know if this works. You are all the best.
Many thanks. I am most grateful for YOU!!!!!
Ranked 7th in Communications
This is the 8th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 10 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
