Columbine: Beauty, Tragedy, and Transformation in the Soul Savvy Logo
Yet with its natural beauty comes an unavoidable shadow: the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999. Just a half-hour from where I worked
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Fear as Your Furry Godmother: Face Hardship with Courage
Do you remember Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous line, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”? Spoken on March 4, 1933, as the U.S. teetered on the brink of the Great Depression, FDR urged the nation to face hardship with courage rather than paralysis. Today, that wisdom still rings true—especially when you’re on the cusp…
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When Expansion Derails (and Why That’s Not a Sign You’re Failing)
It feels almost baked into us—that hope to arrive. To reach the destination. Completion. Enlightenment.Are we there yet? (Spoiler: No. And we never really will be. But also—yes. Because being present, truly present in new ways, can be incredible. And it can be enough.) Expansion derails are a lot of things, but they’re not necessarily…
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Trusting Your Inner Knowing: Two Practices to Build Intuition
Originally published March 23, 2024 — Updated April 2025by Denise Barnes Building intuition isn’t just about getting hits or psychic downloads. It’s a practice — one that grows more accurate (and more fun) when you tend to it regularly, like a garden. Our logical minds are powerful and important. But the emotional brain — the…
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The Case for Healthy Coping – Why Now?
As of this writing (4/2/25), it feels like we’re living in a pressure cooker. Political divides, economic uncertainty, job instability, and work stress are everywhere. On top of that, life throws its usual curveballs—health changes, family challenges, relationship upsets, grief, and loss. And then there are the everyday annoyances: car trouble, insurance headaches, financial concerns,…
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Book Review: Digital Dharma, Deepak
by Deepak Chopra Digital Dharma: How AI Can Elevate Spiritual Intelligence and Personal Well-Being Opinions on AI vary widely, and the conversation continues to evolve alongside the technology. I started using ChatGPT early on, primarily for research, and occasionally for productivity or mood support. Now, AI is even being used for therapy—but I suspect it…
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Book Review~ Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout
I’m a big fan of Cal Newport, but somehow, I missed Slow Productivity – time for a Book Review. What’s to love about his work? He doesn’t just offer productivity tips—he provides historical context and research, making his insights feel grounded and well-supported. He also brings in stories of well-known and lesser-known individuals, making his…
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Growing Support and Connection – Debunking the Bootstrap Myth
How Balanced Receiving and Asking for Help Strengthens Community The theme of growing support and connection came up in my recent months of preparing for a TED-style talk. A couple of times I needed a helping hand. After three decades of working in mental health, I know how to recognize this and was able to…
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Active Coping Versus Road Rage: Coping Well when Stuck
How do you cope well when you’re stuck? This last weekend I happened to be traveling back home in the midst of the changing Aspen leaf season. Oh, it is lovely when that sacred community of trees turns gold, and orange and makes sweet tinkling noises when the wind blows. My short vacation had been…
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Coping with Stress When Coping Fails: Four Ideas
No, you can’t completely avoid derails – those times when stress takes you off your best-laid path. Yet you can learn a lot about what didn’t work. And, you can notice progress.
