Nelia Joyce
The Power of Hope: What Drowning Rats Can Teach ...

n the 1950s, a lesser-known experiment by Johns Hopkins researcher Curt Richter delivered a remarkable insight into the power of hope.

Richter placed domesticated rats into jars of water to observe how long they could swim before giving up. On average, the rats lasted about 15 minutes. But then something extraordinary happened. In a follow-up phase of the experiment, Richter would rescue the rats just as they were about to drown, allow them to rest briefly, and then place them back into the water.

The second time, the rats swam — not for 15 minutes — but for over 60 hours. That’s not a typo. From 15 minutes to 60 hours. The only difference? They had hope that rescue might come.

The Power of Hope: What Drowning Rats Can Teach Us About Leadership and Human Potential
Nelia Joyce
My Christmas wish

My life took an interesting turn: unexpected but ever so intriguing. When I first got involved in behavioral therapy, I never imagined where it would take me. It started as a simple curiosity, a desire to understand how I can better support parents, especially those parenting children with disruptive behaviors.  Along the way, I crossed paths with some amazing therapists and professionals who specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis. Fast forward to today, and I find myself working in a school setting with children on the autism spectrum. It’s been and continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

 

Some days, I feel a deep sense of shame as I realize how much I take for granted in my own life —simple things like being able to communicate effectively, my health or navigating the world without constant struggle. But most days, I’m simply in awe of what I get to witness and be a part of.

 

My Christmas wish
Nelia Joyce
Color outside the lines! We were created to be ...

When we are being creative, our brains release dopamine, which is an anti-depressant. While this makes us ‘feel good’, engaging in creative activities can also boost self-esteem, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and increase feelings of happiness and contentment. Creativity is linked to several mental health benefits, and yet…

We learn to color inside the lines and unlearn to think outside the box. We tell kids to stop asking why why why? We over-expose and over-structure, to the point where there’s little time to reflect or to be alone with one’s thoughts. We fill our days to the point where there is no free time. 

Did you know that non-creative behavior is learned? It is not our natural inclination.

Color outside the lines! We were created to be creative...
Nelia Joyce
Temperaments: which of the 4 are you?

In my earlier coaching days, I met a teenager who, to his mother’s dismay, studied by making tiny notes on post-it’s and sticking them to the ceiling in his room.  When crunch time came, he would lie on the floor with binoculars and revise his work. 😊

I find it fascinating how we are all uniquely designed.  Have you noticed that children who grew up in the same household, with the same upbringing can be so different in how they approach life, make decisions and handle situations?  

Temperaments: which of the 4 are you?
Nelia Joyce
Bearing burdens

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken every aspect of society. Concerns about mental health and substance use are at an all-time high. People stress and worry about contracting the virus, job losses, how long this pandemic will last, as well as the devastating loss of loved ones due to the universal crisis. Amid the fear, worry, and uncertainty, each day seems to bring more challenges than the day before.

We are all suffering. And though my story is not nearly as bad as some of yours, I experienced, quite possibly, the worst 2 months ever.

Bearing burdens

The Power of Hope: What Drowning Rats Can Teach Us About Leadership and Human Potential

The Power of Hope: What Drowning Rats Can Teach Us About Leadership and Human Potential

n the 1950s, a lesser-known experiment by Johns Hopkins researcher Curt Richter delivered a remarkable insight into the power of hope.

Richter placed domesticated rats into jars of water to observe how long they could swim before giving up. On average, the rats lasted about 15 minutes. But then something extraordinary happened. In a follow-up phase of the experiment, Richter would rescue the rats just as they were about to drown, allow them to rest briefly, and then place them back into the water.

The second time, the rats swam — not for 15 minutes — but for over 60 hours. That’s not a typo. From 15 minutes to 60 hours. The only difference? They had hope that rescue might come.

My Christmas wish

My Christmas wish

My life took an interesting turn: unexpected but ever so intriguing. When I first got involved in behavioral therapy, I never imagined where it would take me. It started as a simple curiosity, a desire to understand how I can better support parents, especially those parenting children with disruptive behaviors.  Along the way, I crossed paths with some amazing therapists and professionals who specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis. Fast forward to today, and I find myself working in a school setting with children on the autism spectrum. It’s been and continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

 

Some days, I feel a deep sense of shame as I realize how much I take for granted in my own life —simple things like being able to communicate effectively, my health or navigating the world without constant struggle. But most days, I’m simply in awe of what I get to witness and be a part of.

 

Camping in Complacency

Camping in Complacency

My parents recently visited from South Africa. And while they are for the most part healthy, active, pleasant people I found myself crippled with fear every time we went somewhere. Should we have gotten travel insurance, does that sneeze imply Covid, are the swollen ankles the last stretch of cardiac failure. Was my Mom always this yellowish color?

 

I usually have a very laid-back approach to life. But for some reason my anxious thoughts overruled my usual ‘go with the flow’, ‘all-is-well’ attitude. I woke up in the middle of the night with nervous knots in my stomach. I nearly cancelled our road trip in exchange for sitting at home and watching my folks grow old. It was surreal. Downright stupid. And although I realized that my fears were undoubtedly irrational, it didn’t change the fact that these were the thoughts that ruled my mind.

The weight of offense

The weight of offense

Once upon a time in a land far, far away lived the girl who took Offense. She carried Offense with her wherever she went, added to it whenever someone said things she didn’t agree with, whenever things didn’t turn out the way she expected or whenever she felt she wasn’t appreciated enough.

 

Offense grew. Later the girl couldn’t see past Offense and started to see everything through Offense’s eyes. She would nurture Offense; she would anticipate someone saying something that could add to the heavy weight she was carrying. She tried but she couldn’t put Offense down. Forgiveness knocked on her door, but it sounded like work. ‘Let it go!’ some of the neighbors shouted, but she sort of felt safe with the always present burden.

 

‘He will smother you!’ they warned but the girl knew that carrying Offense has become part of her identity. She wasn’t sure who she would be if she didn’t hold on; Offense had become a trusted companion. Offense never challenged her and always supported her behavior.

 

Later, Offense’s brother Bitterness came to visit. He invited Resentment and Hate. The girl felt suffocated, but they assured her there was enough place for them all. No one in town spoke to the girl anymore, the neighbors pretended not to see her when she roamed the streets. Offense, Bitterness, Resentment and Hate whispered, ‘You see, we told you, you were right to not trust them’. The girl carried their weight day in and day out and didn’t recognize Choice when he asked why she seemed tired. Choice offered water but Offense shouted that it was distasteful to offer someone options when they clearly don’t need it. The girl turned her back on Choice and stumbled forth, for a second wishing she’d met him earlier – maybe in a time before Bitterness, Resentment and Hate.

Less is more in 2024

Less is more in 2024

“A new year, a new life”. “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; he who makes one is a fool”. “May all your troubles last as long as your new year’s resolutions”. We are all familiar with the New Year’s resolution remarks, we’ve maybe even used some of them.  Whether you love new year’s resolutions or hate them, there is something refreshing about starting with a clean slate.

A new year marks amazing prospects. It offers a time to reflect on the projection of our lives and adjust where necessary. One can either get stuck in looking back and reminiscing on previous mistakes and failures or see a wide-open space of new beginnings and immense opportunities.

Some people dislike new year’s resolutions, I love them! It is a time to ponder, set goals and be open to change – new thought patterns, new behaviors, new habits!

In 2024 balance will be focus. Physical, spiritual and mental. My motto for this year is LESS IS MORE IN 2024.