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There’s something I’ve noticed during this past 18 months. The more we are isolated or removed from each other, the easier it is to withdraw and harden ourselves toward the hardships and challenges of others. I’ve noticed the longer I’m separated from others both professionally and personally, the easier it is for me to become…

Very recently I went to visit my mother, she’s turning 70 and I wanted to spend some time with her. I packed up my laptop and went to her house, planning to work from her home for a week instead of my own.  Day one found my normal composed demeanor unraveling in the chaos around…

With Oregon state government planning to reopen its buildings to the public this September, the positivity project is focusing its July and August messages on physiological and cognitive stress management techniques. The focus for July was on physiological techniques, or body work, that can help reset our bodies to better cope with stress and anxiety. Visit the…

With Oregon state government planning to reopen its buildings to the public this September, the positivity project is focusing its July and August messages on physiological and cognitive stress management techniques. Over the past year we’ve established a new normal for ourselves because of the pandemic. As we emerge from it, feeling some stress and…

One of Oregon’s recent beautiful weekends inspired my family to get outside and clean up our back yard and patio to get ready for summer. We planted a few bushes, weeded our flower beds, swept our back patio of leaves and brought out the cushions for the outdoor furniture. My seven-year old begged her dad…

Many fans celebrate May 4th as Star Wars Day, with the phrase, “May the Fourth be with you.” This month, as we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week (May 2-8), we’re going back to the original phrase — “May the force be with you” — to discover the force that drives us as individuals. Is it your purpose?…

Guest Blogger: Sherry Lauer, Human Resources Business Partner, Chief Human Resources Office At the beginning of 2021, I found myself struggling to stay upbeat and positive and hit an emotional wall. I reached my maximum threshold and knew something needed to change. My personal toolkit of resources simply didn’t have the same impact as they…

March 2021 marks one year of coping through a pandemic. Can you believe it? I often ask myself, “What would I have done differently had I known it would go on this long?” I will always remember the timing of COVID-19 because it was my birthday weekend and I never got to enjoy the decorations…

The Positivity Project’s theme for February is Practicing Self-Compassion. It couldn’t come at a better time for me. I’m already beating myself up over things I vowed to start or stop doing in 2021 that I didn’t stick too. Why do we do it? Why are we so critical of ourselves? We think nothing of…

Many of you have taken the Gallup Strengthsfinder© Assessment, an assessment that identifies your top 5 strengths. When we leverage our strengths, we are happier, less stressed, more creative, more productive, more likely to achieve our goals and more able to grow and develop. Yet a strength that is overused can become a weakness. I…