Mindfulness is something we could all use more of as we re-enter the real world, especially kids. Despite our efforts to limit it, the amount of screen time they’ve had this past year has skyrocketed because of distance learning on computers for hours throughout the day. 

And, as if that wasn’t enough, they have been isolated at home, without face-to-face contact with their affirming friends, family, and community. 

Suffice to say, this last year has been anything but normal. Quite the contrary. We could say it was as rare as a unicorn... albeit an isolated unicorn, at home on the computer. You get the point.

Now that we embark on returning to socializing, having somewhat of a real summer, and going back to school in the Fall, it’s important to support your kiddos with Mindfulness practices as they transition back to the real world.

What is Mindfulness? 

Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment, with kindness and curiosity, and...

None of us were prepared for 2020.  I don’t need to tell you that, I also don’t need to point out that a lot of us are feeling anxiety about what 2021 might bring.  There is a concrete way to feel like you’re in control though.  And for many of us, that’s the biggest thing we need right now.  

You CAN become an inclusive leader so that no matter what social upheaval comes our way in 2021, you’ll be the person to lead the team through the experience.  Any moments of sticky conversations and discomfort can be anticipated with excitement because they are opportunities for you to be the leader your organization needs.  

Remember when Alexander Hamilton wished for a war?  So he “could prove that he’s worth more than anyone bargained for”?  (you sang that in your head, admit it)  If you’re an organizational leader, excited to prove your worth and make an impact, social upheaval is...

Hey guys,

The LGBTQ community is having a collective realization and it involves you.

My daughter and I were driving in the car when the Dixie Chick's song Gaslighter came on. She asked what it meant and I explained that gaslighting is what happens when someone hurts you, but when you call them on it, they refuse to apologize.

Instead, they say things like "You're being really sensitive!" or "You took it that way, that's not my fault. I wasn't intending to be hurtful." Or the BEST is "I never said that. I think you're imagining that."

Overall, gaslighting creates a sense of confusion, of not being able to trust your gut or the validity of what people say and mean. If you notice your LGBTQ co-workers, family, and friends, looking at you a little strangely, there's a reason.

We're having a collective moment of realizing that while 80% of our nation says they support us, 50+% voted the opposite of that. Their words and their actions are not adding up.

So we're questioning everyone...

Our mission here at the Pride and Joy Foundation is to increase self-awareness in LGBTQ families and the allies that love them. A key component of self-awareness is learning how to let go of other people's opinions and trust your intuition. So we bring you UnHook, a course to learn how to let go of judgment and learn to trust yourself.

Did you know that I'm a fly fisher? You can listen to how that happened in my TEDx Talk some other time. Fly fishing has taught me a lot about life and how to navigate it, when to stay on the shore, and when to wade in deep, how to focus and let everything else go, and most importantly, how to get off the hook.

Fish are caught when they mistake my fly for their food. We, as humans, are caught when we mistake opinions for important facts. That's how you and I get hooked. Now, a smart fish can shake their head just the right way, and pop, off they go, unhooked and free.

Smart humans, like you and I, can do the same thing. We can use...