In conference rooms where decisions get made, the topic of trauma rarely arises. But it’s there—echoing in the silences, shaping our responses, and quietly influencing everything from risk tolerance to trust, communication, and power dynamics.

What if the key to navigating chaos isn’t more control—but more connection to nature? In this article, I explore how the natural world—gardening, birdwatching, even groundhogs—can heal us, grow us, and guide us through personal, organizational, and societal transformation.

We are, at our core, storytellers. Long before written language (not to mention Netflix!), humans gathered around fires to share tales that helped make sense of the mysterious world around them. These stories weren't just entertainment—they were survival. They helped us understand patterns, remember dangers, and pass wisdom through generations.

But what happens when the most powerful story we tell is the one about ourselves?

Listen, mistakes are going to happen. They are a sign that you are living an engaged life. If you can change your mindset, you'll start to see messing up as an unexpected gift, an opportunity for you to learn and grow.

Have you ever heard your boss say, “We’re all one big family here”? If so, it might be time to rethink your expectations. In the United States, the relationship between employers and employees is not familial—it’s transactional.

Each one of us will experience stress in our personal and professional lives. Many of us, are handling multiple stresses at the same time. It's unrealistic to say don't focus on the problem. Instead, consider what lies in and outside of your control and ensure that you prioritize maintaining healthy coping mechanisms.  This might start by taking an honest look at your physical, mental, and social well-being, and considering how you might elevate coping strategies.

Discover how the Sphere of Control, Influence, and Concern framework and the Daoist philosophy of Wu Wei, can help you focus your energy effectively, navigate uncertainty, and drive meaningful change. Learn how to control what matters, influence where possible, and let go of what you can’t change.

Here's a sobering statistic: only 13% of hiring managers say they're willing to hire someone aged 55-65. Their reasoning? Usually some rehashed assumptions about adaptability that sound about as current as a MySpace profile.

It's no wonder that according to Frontiers in Psychology, between 2019 and 2021, there was a 61% increase in mental health discussions on social media platforms around stress, anxiety and uncertainty. And in 2020 after the COVID outbreak, content with these themes spiked 500%. Stressed out employees are joining the online ranks too. According to a study by LinkedIn and Mind Share Partners, 80% of workers have used social media to discuss job-related stress and anxiety.

If it feels like you're experiencing "too much" you'd be right.