Maria Sirois

• The Possibility of And

  Suffering does not negate what is good and rich in our world; what is good and rich in our world exists bounded by our suffering.

• Developing Resiliency From Within

  We often get caught up in thinking about what’s not working or what needs improving in our lives, especially when we face difficulties. This piece invites us...

• The Choice of an Open Heart

  An excerpt from Every Day Counts: Lessons in Love, Faith, and Resilience from Children Facing Illness There are moments in life when the forces that be hit...

• Healing from Violence

  What can we do to heal our fear and worry when acts of terror are apparently possible anywhere?

• Wake-Up Call: Finding the Joy

  Photo courtesy of Maria Sirois I’ve had wake-up moments in my life that would imply that I was in some manner asleep. Sharing these moments with those I...

• The Lessons of Positivity

  It’s never too late to learn the lessons that create resilience and positivity.

• Three Things to Remember When Neither Choice Is Perfect

  As a teenager, I heard the lyrics "When you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with" echoing in my heart as I sought true love.

• Five Tips for Embracing Midlife

  The fields of Positive Psychology, mind-body medicine, yoga, and the spiritual disciplines offer wisdom—culled from research and centuries of experience...

• Savoring the Great Moment: A Road Map to Resilience

  Resilience is the capacity to adapt in a healthy way to difficult circumstances, such as illness or chronic stress. It’s also about crafting a life that is...

• The Transformative Power of Awe

  Research is uncovering more about the amazing power of awe to inspire us, connect us, and keep us well.

• Giving from the Heart

  The holidays can be challenging for those of us who want to celebrate the season of giving in a way that feels authentic.

• I Love Me, I Love Me Not …

  When I gave myself a 30-day challenge to look in the mirror each morning and say, "I love you," it seemed like a simple practice.

• Putting a New Spin on Your Story

  Telling my story felt like a healing act.

• The Difficult Task of Taking Compliments

  By Janet Arnold-Grych There are only a few things that make me really squeamish—nasty cuts, complete disorganization… and compliments. According to the Yoga...

• The Truth About Lying

  Through meditation, wise actions, and self-less service, we learn the tools necessary to be comfortable with the truth.

• Riding the Midlife Roller Coaster

  The weariness experienced by many of us in midlife is not unique, is not simply whining, and is not necessarily static.

• The Secret to Creating a Resilient Life

  The secret to a happy, resilient life is your perspective.

• Five Things Resilient People Do

  Why do some people bounce back after a major tragedy or illness, while others are derailed by life’s challenges? Are some more resilient than others?

• How to Choose Happiness

  We've been conditioned to believe that we were either born with the ability to be happy, or not. But biology is not destiny.

• The Geography of Emotion

  The practice of feeling into the connection of shared emotions can create a sense of greater connection with the larger web of humankind.

• A Working Guide to Lasting Happiness

  Those of us who focus on practices and attitudes that bolster happiness can significantly impact their general well-being.

• Would You Rather Be Quiet or Give Yourself Electric Shocks?

  Here’s a (literally!) shocking statistic: In a study published in Science in July, researchers at the University of Virginia found that 25...

• Four Ways to Become More Resilient

  Research shows that happiness is a choice, but did you know that resilience—the ability to bounce back, even from trauma—is something that can be learned? At...

• Are You Happier Than Your Friends?

  Though there are, of course, exceptions, research (and Hollywood) have shown that we tend to surround ourselves with people with whom our financial standing...

• Be Clear Now: Getting Rid of the Clutter

  In an uncluttered, serene environment, we’re more productive and better able to understand and synthesize information.

• Finding Meaning in Midlife

  In this edition of Ask the Expert, clinical psychologist Maria Sirois, PsyD, who teaches the Kripalu Healthy Living program Rejuvenate and Reclaim Life After...

• The Practice of Gratitude

  How will you practice gratitude this holiday season?

• Kripalu Perspectives: Slowing Down with Maria Sirois

  Portland Helmich talks with Maria Sirois, inspirational teacher and psychologist, about how to slow down--and why it's so important.

• Thanksgiving and the Practice of Gratitude

  Cultivating gratitude is something we can practice year-round, according to Kripalu Yoga teacher Devadas Gregg Day, who says that when he is “paying...

• Take A Happiness Dance Break

  Having a rough day? If you have a few minutes, Pharrell Williams’ music video “Happy” is an instant happiness booster.

• Stumbling Blocks, Stepping Stones

  J. L. Johnson, guest blogger When Edmund Hillary set foot on the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, it was his greatest feat: a first ascent that would...

• Clutter vs. Creativity: Clearing the Stuff That Holds Us Back

  Our physical environment is a mirror image of what’s going on inside our heads: a crowded environment equals crowded thoughts.

• Befriending Your Resistance

  While I still encounter my own resistance, I’ve gotten better at recognizing and working with it.

• Resilience and the Art of Breaking Routine

  by Janet Arnold-Grych Routine has a lot going for it. It allows critical aspects of our lives to flow more efficiently. It provides comfort and safety. It...

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