According to the Oxford English Dictionary, change is “to make or become different.” Merriam-Webster adds, “to replace something with something else,” or “to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution.” On the surface, these definitions seem simple enough where change means something shifts: a process, a system, a mindset, a structure, a role. But in practice, change

Perfection is a word that carries weight. For some, it’s the standard they strive for. For others, it’s the very thing that paralyzes them from even starting. Yet, when we pause and look closer, could it be that perfection is an illusion? Progress, on the other hand, is where the real story lives. I was

Today marks the 4th anniversary of my father’s passing. And with Father’s day around the corner, I was reminded of this poem that came to me in the middle of the night, back in August of 1997. I was in a place of deep motherly instinct — my third baby boy sleeping peacefully on my

We often think of emotional intelligence and critical thinking as skills we learn in workshops, courses, or professional development settings. But the truth is, we experience these concepts every day—we just may not recognize them as such. Let me paint a familiar picture: You’re in a conversation with someone—maybe it’s a friend, a colleague, or

The demand for critical thinking has never been greater. In a world flooded with information, misinformation, and polarized perspectives, the ability to think clearly and critically isn’t just valuable—it’s essential across workplaces, classrooms, media, and leadership. But amid this urgent call, one essential truth is often overlooked: To think critically, we must first recognize how

A woman I barely knew told me recently, “I didn’t like you the first time we met.” We were in a social group and she’d had a few drinks, enough to let liquid courage speak first. I could tell this was something she felt she needed to say. She followed it up with, “But I’ve

We hear it all the time:  “Everything happens for a reason.” People say it when life doesn’t go as planned: a job loss, a breakup, a diagnosis — as if assigning a reason will soften the blow. But we also say it when things go right: a chance encounter leads to love, a missed opportunity

Have you ever caught yourself—or someone else—saying: “I swear to God I’m not even lying.” Or “to be honest” They’re common expressions that seem to tumble out of people’s mouths these days without a second thought. And yet, every time I hear them, I pause. Because my first thought is, “Actually, it never occurred to

In Egyptian Arabic, there’s a phrase I often return to when coaching others through difficult conversations:“ما تمسكنيش على كلمة” — “Don’t hold me on a word.” It’s a small sentence with a big message. One that reminds us that language is imperfect, especially in emotionally charged moments. Sometimes, the words we choose don’t quite fit

In a world moving fast, sustainable change isn’t just top-down or bottom-up—it’s side-by-side. I was out walking with a friend recently. We live in different directions, but we agreed to leave our homes at the same time and meet somewhere in the middle. We walked together for a while, shared stories, had a few laughs,