The science of sleep has made tremendous advances in recent years, confirming what our grandmothers have been telling us all along—we need more sleep. Despite being bombarded with articles and advice about the importance of sleep, many of us continue to deprioritize this essential biological function. What we're now learning through neuroscience research is that there are serious consequences to this chronic sleep deprivation that extend far beyond simply feeling tired the next day. The impact on our mental health and cognitive function may be subtle at first, but builds over time into something much more concerning. Over the past decade and a half, neuroscientists have been able to document the changes that occur in the brain when we consistently shortchange our sleep requirements. These changes don't happen overnight in dramatic fashion, which is partly why they're so insidious. Instead, they manifest gradually, making them easy to dismiss or attribute to other factors i...
Let me pause with you for a moment on this Father's Day. Not just to toss out a quick 'thanks, Dad!' and get back to the cookout. But to truly honor what it means to be a father—to step into a role that, while often thankless in the moment, may be the single most influential position in a child's life. Let's be clear: not every dad starts out strong; not every dad gets it right at the start. But the mark of a good father isn't perfection. It's in the choice to show up, to lead when it's hard, to keep trying to do better, to model steadiness when chaos swirls, and to love, even when it's not being reciprocated. Gratitude for the Quiet Strength of Fathers Many of us had dads who didn't say much. They may not have attended every game or offered emotional pep talks over heartbreak, but they were there . They worked long hours, fixed what was broken, and handled what needed handling. Their love wasn't always spoken, but it was steady. So, for th...
As the fireworks light up the summer sky and families gather in backyards across the country, we are once again reminded of the beauty of freedom. This 4th of July weekend offers a moment — a brief pause — to reflect on what it means to be free. And the ideals that inspired the very freedom we often take for granted. So yes, it’s worth all that beautiful celebration. And this year, I will invite you to also consider not just our collective freedom as a nation, but also the quieter, more personal kind of freedom: the freedom within. But first: Honoring the Freedom We Share Let’s begin by honoring those who came before us. This holiday reminds us of those who risked — and gave — their lives to defend a vision of liberty, equality, and self-determination. Their sacrifices weren’t about creating a perfect nation, but about creating a free one — where every human being has a chance to build, to speak, to love, and to grow. There’s something sacred in that. And while our pa...
Comments
Post a Comment