Alexandra Stark, LMHC, LPCC, LPC, LCMHC’s Post

In navigating relationships, I’ve learned that being gentle with ourselves is key. I believe that rubber band boundaries allow us to maintain connections with those we care about, even when things get complicated. These boundaries give us the flexibility to adjust while still maintaining our self-respect and clarity. It’s not about being all or nothing; it’s about knowing when to stretch and when to pull back. This approach has helped me foster healthier relationships and navigate the nuances of life with grace. I don't always get it right, but I keep trying. As we go into Thanksgiving week, remember to be gentle with yourself as you navigate boundaries with family. The holidays can be a tricky time for many of us. Take care of yourself, respect your boundaries, and remember to breathe. Discover more about the nuances of rubber band boundaries in my LinkedIn article: https://bit.ly/40JzlNZ #Boundaries #Relationships #SelfRespect #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. This year to enhance the dinner table conversation, or to distract from usual stuff, I invite you to do this exercise on values. Here is a list of values from a pretty famous person's website. https://lnkd.in/ed9BAB73 Read through the list quickly and choose 10 that catch your attention. Then go back through your list and narrow it down to your most essential 4 values. Share these out, explaining why each value is essential to you. Take stock of how each family member's list compares to your own. Enrich the conversation by asking the elders in your family to elaborate what events in their life, both struggles and achievements, led them to embrace their own values. Also, take advantage of adding your own value if it doesn't appear on the list. Or, search online for other lists of values. Enjoy the conversation and your time with family on this special holiday. Happy Thanksgiving.

Hello LinkedIn Community, I recently read an inspiring article about Oprah Winfrey's perspective on happiness, and it deeply resonated with me. During an NPR Morning Edition episode, Oprah shared a profound yet simple idea: true happiness and fulfillment come from these five words: "Do something for someone else." She beautifully illustrated this concept with a childhood memory of sharing a rare candy bar, highlighting how much more joyful it was when she could share it with someone else. This philosophy of sharing and helping others has guided her throughout her life, contributing to her success and happiness. In my journey as a real estate advisor, I've found that my greatest joy comes from helping others make better decisions. Whether it's guiding small and medium-sized business owners through the complexities of real estate or helping families find their perfect homes, my happiness is rooted in the positive impact I can have on others' lives. Oprah's words remind us that true happiness isn't about chasing money, power, or fame. It's about using our strengths to serve others and make a difference in their lives. This not only benefits them but brings a profound sense of fulfillment and well-being to ourselves. I'd love to hear from you: How do you define happiness? What brings you joy and fulfillment in your professional and personal lives? Let's share our thoughts and experiences to inspire each other to find deeper happiness through helping others. #Happiness #Fulfillment #RealEstateAdvisor #HelpingOthers #OprahWinfrey #ServiceToOthers #JoyInGiving

Oprah once said, "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." These words resonate deeply with me. Your environment shapes your destiny. It's not just about the physical space, but also the energy and vibes of the people around you. Spire and lift you up. Remember, you have the power to create an environment that stays intentional, stay nurturing your dreams and aspirations. Stay intentional, stay focused, and keep moving forward. #IntentionalLiving #Oprah Wisdom #PositiveVibes #GrowthMindset #Surround YourselfWithGood #ElevateYourLife #MindfulMovement #Inspiration Daily #Personal Growth #LifeLessons #EmpowerYourself #JourneyToSuccess #BeYourBestSelf #MotivationMonday #SuccessTips #DreamBig #StayFocused #Positive Energy #ChooseWisely #ManifestYourDreams Let's keep lifting each other higher! Follow Dont Give Up World ! Arun Pandit ® Shivangi Kaushik

My lovely Mom said it best: "There are two types of people in this world, baby! The ones who make you feel good as soon as you walk into the room...and the ones who make you feel good as soon as they walk out of it." That is some of the realest talk in existence from Mama Richards ❤️. Sadly, some people think that what others will remember most about them has to do with the degrees on their resumes, the cash in their bank accounts, or the followers on their social media accounts. The truth is that when our earthly time is up, we'll be remembered most for one thing: how we chose to treat others. Are you the type of person who berates customer service professionals, restaurant servers, flight attendants and administrative professionals just because you feel like you can? You'll be remembered for that. Or, are you the type of person who encourages others, picks up litter in your neighborhood, courageously stands up to bullies, and is a champion of kindness, inclusion and civility? You'll be remembered for that too. So, like Mama Richards said, will you bring joy when you enter the room, or when you mercifully leave it? One thing is for sure, we will be defined by how we treat others--that is an inescapable truth. So, why not leave a legacy that makes the world a better place? Not that you need me to tell you this, but we all could use more of that "making the world a better place" energy right now. If you need practical strategies on how exactly to do that, preorder a copy of my upcoming book "Civil Unity: The Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives and Our World" (dropping next Tuesday 9/24!) The preorder link is in the comments 👇🏾 #civilunity #kindness #leadership #mentalhealth

Building on yesterday’s reflection, let’s think about how our unique strengths allow us to make a difference — not just for ourselves, but for others. 👉🏻 When we give back, whether through kindness, time, or talent, we use our strengths to create meaningful connections. How are you using your strengths to bring light to others this season? #ThursdayThoughts #StrengthsInAction #SeasonOfGiving #MindfulMoments #CompleteProfessionalDevelopment #LeverageYourStrengths #CliftonStrengths

We send our love and appreciation to you all this Thanksgiving, hoping we all take this opportunity to relish the feelings of love, togetherness, and hope. Let’s work to nurture the relationships that bring us joy and fulfillment. It’s times like these that it’s vital to remember there are so many positives that unite us all, including a commitment to mutual respect and shared success. This win-win mindset encourages us to resolve current issues and set intentions for future cooperation. We believe it’s the key to building sustainable relationships. When we prioritize this mutual commitment, we show respect and empathy toward each other, acknowledging everyone's needs and perspectives. Let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can build bridges and seek solutions that will benefit everyone this holiday. We offer this blog post as a pathway: https://buff.ly/4fLG1jf Happy Thanksgiving from the Institute for InterGroup Understanding. #InstituteForInterGroupUnderstanding #InterGroupPeace #Thanksgiving #Win-WinMindset #BuildingBridges

Though we would love to have good sincere friends, we may not be as fortunate to have that many. There are many reasons for this - a significant reason being a mismatch of our personality characteristics and life values. This program considers varied aspects of relationships, which may benefit you to understand yourself and your relationships better: #piyanjalidezoysa #relationships #workrelationships #mentalhealth #friends

It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and think they’ve got it all together. The polished social media posts, the confident exterior, the career milestones, the happy family photos. But underneath it all, everyone is carrying something. Everyone is trying to navigate challenges, doubts, and questions that don’t always make it to the surface. Appearances are often just that—surface-level. They don’t tell the full story of late nights, tough decisions, and the moments of uncertainty we all face. Some of the most put-together people you know are likely still figuring “it” out, just like you are. It's true. Holiday seasons often make it even worse. Holiday seasons while genocide, massacres, government corruption, and continuing consumerism are ongoing, takes it to a whole other level. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Humanity first.

Did you know being closer to family and friends is the #1 reason people move? Whether it’s enjoying weeknight dinners, making memories with grandkids, or having loved ones nearby when you need them most, moving closer to the people who matter can truly change your life. If you’re considering a move to be closer to your favorite people, DM me. #realestategoals #realestatelife #keepingcurrentmatters