Lead with Kindness

Caregiving

3 Ways to Disrupt Distress When Caregiving

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Being a family caregiver is challenging, especially when the person we're caring for is in distress. Here's how caregivers can disrupt cycles of distress.

Being a family caregiver is challenging, especially when the person we're caring for is in distress. Here's how caregivers can disrupt cycles of distress.

Environment

How Aloha Aina Can Help Us Reconnect

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on March 15, 2022

For an antidote to disconnection in the modern age, reconnect with nature, food, and material objects by living the traditional Hawaiian concept of Aloha Aina.

For an antidote to disconnection in the modern age, reconnect with nature, food, and material objects by living the traditional Hawaiian concept of Aloha Aina.

Flow

Simple Steps to Find Your Joy when Plans Get Canceled

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on January 14, 2022

Are canceled plans and uncertainty making joy feel out of reach? Here are a few simple actions we can take to restore well-being and stay centered in your life.

Are canceled plans and uncertainty making joy feel out of reach? Here are a few simple actions we can take to restore well-being and stay centered in your life.

Attachment

How to Release Attachment to Sentimental Things

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on July 7, 2021

Are sentimental feelings keeping you from the simplified, decluttered life you desire? Try these three steps for finding peace by letting go of things.

Are sentimental feelings keeping you from the simplified, decluttered life you desire? Try these three steps for finding peace by letting go of things.

Stress

Unsticking Yourself from the Stress of 2020

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on February 14, 2021

If you too are feeling that it is time to take a breath, and re-establish your inner equilibrium after a challenging past year, here are some ideas for how to open up and move.

If you too are feeling that it is time to take a breath, and re-establish your inner equilibrium after a challenging past year, here are some ideas for how to open up and move.

Resilience

Becoming Comfortable With the Uncomfortable

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on October 30, 2020

Wondering how to go forward when life’s 2020 terrain seems bumpy? You can do it.

Wondering how to go forward when life’s 2020 terrain seems bumpy? You can do it.

Self-Help

Two Actions That Will Simplify Your Life

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on September 4, 2020

Sometimes we think simplifying our lives is hard, but actually, it can be easy. The key is to remember to do these two actions.

Sometimes we think simplifying our lives is hard, but actually, it can be easy. The key is to remember to do these two actions.

Bias

How to Stay Mindfully Engaged, When We Want to Tune Out

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on June 5, 2020

How do we stay mindfully engaged, even when we want to shut down and run away from it all?

How do we stay mindfully engaged, even when we want to shut down and run away from it all?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Practicing Kindness While Sheltering in Place

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on April 4, 2020

Want to improve your well-being and mindset while sheltering at home? Here are some ideas for how to create healthy habits, stay motivated, and be of service from home.

Want to improve your well-being and mindset while sheltering at home? Here are some ideas for how to create healthy habits, stay motivated, and be of service from home.

Fear

Being Kind to Yourself in the Midst of a Pandemic

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on March 17, 2020

Have you given yourself permission to take mental breaks from the impact of the coronavirus on your life?

Have you given yourself permission to take mental breaks from the impact of the coronavirus on your life?

Gratitude

Preparing for an Empty Nest in 2020

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on December 12, 2019

Some ideas on how to prepare emotionally and concretely for the next chapter of our lives after the last kid leaves the house.

Some ideas on how to prepare emotionally and concretely for the next chapter of our lives after the last kid leaves the house.

Attention

Balancing Personal Joy and Difficult News

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on September 2, 2019

Is the daily news zapping away all your joy? There are ways to nurture our inner joyfulness, even while we feel the despair of our times.

Is the daily news zapping away all your joy? There are ways to nurture our inner joyfulness, even while we feel the despair of our times.

Empathy

Did You Try to Watch Game of Thrones and Fail? Me Too

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on May 24, 2019

Did you try to watch Game of Thrones and have to turn it off? Here are a few reasons some of us may not be made to watch violence that reminds us of real pain.

Did you try to watch Game of Thrones and have to turn it off? Here are a few reasons some of us may not be made to watch violence that reminds us of real pain.

Stress

How to Be Joyful When Finances Are Insecure

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on February 25, 2019

Whether temporary or ongoing, experiencing financial insecurities doesn't mean living in a perpetual state of stress and anxiety. Here are five ways to find joy anyway.

Whether temporary or ongoing, experiencing financial insecurities doesn't mean living in a perpetual state of stress and anxiety. Here are five ways to find joy anyway.

Gratitude

How to Be Thankful for What We Do Not Want

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on December 6, 2018

What if naming what is happening as good news or bad news is actually doing a disservice to your well-being and consciousness? Is there a third choice?

What if naming what is happening as good news or bad news is actually doing a disservice to your well-being and consciousness? Is there a third choice?

Spirituality

Why Is It Hard to Be Kind to People in Great Need?

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on September 22, 2018

How to be a more helpful person in your daily life and ignite your kindness inclinations.

How to be a more helpful person in your daily life and ignite your kindness inclinations.

Laughter

Reflecting on Your Life Decisions With Kindness and Laughter

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on July 19, 2018

Four ways to be kind with ourselves when reflecting on our past life decisions and pathways taken.

Four ways to be kind with ourselves when reflecting on our past life decisions and pathways taken.

Social Life

The Royal Weddings' Four Lessons on Kindness

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on June 17, 2018

What can the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle teach us about kindness and the power of partnership?

What can the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle teach us about kindness and the power of partnership?

Guilt

Why Is It Hard to Give Away Things We Own?

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on March 12, 2018

Why is it hard to give away your things? Learn about four ways to kindly let go of what you don’t need anymore.

Why is it hard to give away your things? Learn about four ways to kindly let go of what you don’t need anymore.

Grief

Navigating Grief and Condolences

Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on January 26, 2018

Is it possible that the kindest thing we can do is allow the pain of a loss to be felt and release ourselves from the reflex to try to stop it?

Is it possible that the kindest thing we can do is allow the pain of a loss to be felt and release ourselves from the reflex to try to stop it?