It has been a few months since my last post, Combining Mindfulness with Strengths, so I wanted to catch you up on the latest and fill you in on what’s to come.

The fallout from the pandemic, along with daily life challenges, has taken a toll on many of us over the past 15 months. Personally, I’ve experienced a heartbreaking loss and added new roles – caregiver and property manager – to my already full plate. Then, just as pandemic life seemed to be easing up, the delta variant flared and created more uncertainty about daily life going forward.

In spite of these challenges, and maybe because of them, I have appreciated the meaningful, happy experiences even more. For instance, we finally held my daughter’s wedding after rescheduling it three times. The frustrating wait and disappointments made the celebration that much sweeter. Even when out and about, I’ve noticed that brief eye contact and a smile with a stranger feels more joyful.

No matter what’s happening within and around us, positive experiences and emotions are essential to our happiness and success. We know from hundreds of positive psychology studies that noticing, creating, and savoring positive experiences and emotions helps us to emerge from adversity and move forward in positive, healthful ways.

What Does “Emerging and Moving Forward” Mean To You?

How might you answer that question right now? What or who do you wish to move toward? For some, it might be about shifting to more engaging work, repairing a relationship, or creating better self-care habits. Others might be ready to take on a big goal that seems elusive.

Regardless of your answer, moving through daily frustrations and toward new possibilities can be both stressful and exhilarating. Mindfulness and character strengths can help you navigate all of it.

Mindfulness helps you short-circuit stress and anxiety, and focus on the present moment. Character strengths provide you with the energy and capacity to be and do your best in each moment. Research shows that integrating mindfulness and character strengths practices can boost meaning, achievement, productivity, problem management, positive relationships, and more.

Introducing A New Blog Series

That’s why I’m shifting the focus of my monthly blog from A Series of Short Practices to Boost Strength and Resilience to a new Strength Based Living series that focuses on mindfulness and character strengths: Emerging and Moving Forward. To receive these, you don’t need to take any action because you’re already subscribed to my newsletter.

This new monthly (occasionally bi-monthly) series will launch soon. It will continue to provide short, research-based strengths practices and reflection questions. The practices featured will reflect current contexts as you emerge and move forward in your work and life.

For instance, say your boss is treating you unfairly, or your child isn’t cooperating as you’re trying to get out the door. How can mindfulness help you become less reactive in stressful situations like these? How can character strengths like self-regulation, perseverance, or one of your signature strengths help you move forward more effectively?

In the past 15 months my team and I published 19 research-based practices to help you manage adversity and boost resilience. The Mindful Pause was one fan favorite. You can always revisit these posts by visiting my blog page.

Here’s What Else Is New!

Your comments and feedback have kept me motivated to offer more. For instance:

  • StrengthBasedLiving.com has a new look and content that will enhance your strengths journey. It serves as a one-stop shop for strengths enthusiasts to find research-based activities, my guidebook with 30 days of character strengths practices, and all of my offerings; along with a reader-friendly blog page, and services that will help you emerge and move forward. It also features a new start your journey page for newer strengths enthusiasts.

  • To offer you the latest on mindfulness and character strengths, I’ve invested in becoming certified by the VIA Institute on Character to teach their Mindfulness Based Strengths Practices (MBSP) program. As a charter member of the certified MBSP cohort, I will offer this 8-week course in the future. More on that later.

Let’s keep the strengths flowing in our families, workplaces, and communities!

What You Can Do In The Meantime

Until the new blog launches, there are a few easy things you can do:

  • Keep practicing your strengths!

  • Check out my new website.

  • Share my blog and other resources with someone you know.

  • Reach out to tell me what you’re interested in reading about, or just say hi!

As always, may your presence in the world be fueled by your strengths. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

With Gratitude,
Jane