How are you, really? ~ Dennis Gillan

How often do you say or hear the sentence, “How are you?” We say it and are asked it so much that it barely registers, eliciting an automatic “I’m good” or “Fine.” But are you really? And when you ask someone else how they are, do you really listen?

Dennis Gillan knows the importance of real conversation and real listening. After suffering the loss of two brothers to suicide, Dennis knew that he had to try and make conversation– especially around mental health–meaningful. 

Grief is a part of life, and when we recognize its impact and let it do its work, we come away stronger, kinder and more compassionate. When we share our struggles with those who care, our burden is lighter.

Tune in to hear more from Dennis about his Half a Sorrow foundation, based on the Swedish proverb that “A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” It’s time to end the stigma of mental health issues with real conversation. Listen in here and let us know how you are–really!

XO

KS & MFB

Do you believe you have value? Real, genuine, built-in value? 

Many of us don’t, and it’s a dangerous way to live. Without recognizing our own worth, we, and especially our children, are susceptible to all kinds of manipulations, especially in the world of social media.

The movie Taken is every parent’s worst nightmare. But that’s not what sex trafficking looks like. It’s here, in our own backyards, and our kids are the targets. 

Stephanie Olson has lived a life. After dealing with abandonment, alcoholism, addictions, eating disorders and sexual and domestic violence, Stephanie overcame through determination, faith, and resilience. That would be enough, but Stephanie went further, turning her trauma into triumph, and working with kids to combat human trafficking by instilling in each child a sense of worth and intrinsic value--a voice to say, “No!”

Tune in to Stephanie’s episode on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of her amazing story and learn about her work with “The Set Me Free Project,” inspiring kids in schools to know their own worth to live lives of power and self-respect.

Gratitude is a tool that connects us to our happiness, success and power. ~ Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo

Has it ever occurred to you that gratitude can help you tap into your power? We don't often think of thankfulness as a powerful thing. In fact, some of us feel that being grateful may make us seem weak.

Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we are card-carrying members on the gratitude train. Even in our darkest hours, we were thankful for those slivers of light that held us up and gave us hope, whether they came from friends, family, or the experts who helped guide us through our crises.

Training the mind to focus on blessings instead of lack opens up the spirit, and okay, we're going a little woo-woo here (with Mary Fran's blessing), the universe, to provide opportunities, connections and the strength to move forward instead of stewing in a pot of blech.

Gratitude provides focus, as well as the positive energy necessary to make decisions and take action. This Thanksgiving, remember to be truly grateful for blessings both big and small. Live with an open heart and mind and use gratitude as a tool to live a Brilliantly Resilient life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

XO,
KS & MFB