When the Oxford English Dictionary declared “brain rot” as the word of the year, my first thought was, “Really?!” But on reflection, it makes sense—it perfectly captures the mental fog from endless distractions and mindless scrolling. In this article, I’ll share how we can shift from brain rot to brain resilience with practical steps to nourish our minds and reclaim our joy. Let’s train our brains for a brighter, more focused 2025!.… Read More

As I stand on the threshold of 2025, three more weeks to go, I can’t help but think about the year ahead and what it will bring. It’s exciting and it is also a bit scary..right?

✨ We all have a vision of what we want to see—the dreams that have taken root in our minds. Yet sometimes, it feels challenging to truly believe that we can achieve all that we desire. thoughts such as “who said I can actually do it? achieve it?” I know it goes through my mind!

But here is what I also learned. It’s natural to doubt ourselves when the peak seems so high, but I also have the conviction that there is power within each of us to reach those dreams. … Read More

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting deeply on the power of gratitude—a cornerstone of resilience, joy, and growth. It’s a season that calls us to pause, look around, and take stock of the gifts we already have.

🙏 And yet, gratitude is not just a passive act of acknowledging what we receive; it’s a powerful choice that shapes the very essence of our lives. 💖… Read More

Have you ever felt like you’re wearing too many shoes, juggling demands from every direction? In a world where work-life balance often feels like an impossible goal, let’s explore how redefining your focus and uncovering your unique gifts can bring you greater peace, purpose, and fulfillment.… Read More

Ever wondered how the way you look at life shapes your journey? Discover the powerful lessons hidden in three ancient ways of ‘seeing’ that can transform your perspective on the past, present, and future. … Read More

WOW! I’m back from my whirlwind international tour, visiting five incredible cities: Dubai, Israel, New York, Philadelphia, and Memphis!

It feels so good to be home.

I’m excited to tell you about my adventures in Dubai. You have to watch the video above! I’ve distilled the essence of my talk into a 4-minute clip, giving you a taste of my modified and creative keynote, “Train Your Brain.”
… Read More

As we dive into the lessons of the last Torah portion of the year, V’zot Habracha, we’re reminded that while Moshe’s story may end, our collective journey of justice, compassion, and hope continues. How can we embrace these timeless values in our own lives, especially during the reflective days of repentance and on Oct 7th?

… Read More

WOW! I’m back from my whirlwind international tour, visiting five incredible cities: Dubai, Israel, New York, Philadelphia, and Memphis!

It feels so good to be home.

I’m excited to tell you about my adventures in Dubai. You have to watch the video above! I’ve distilled the essence of my talk into a 4-minute clip, giving you a taste of my modified and creative keynote, “Train Your Brain.”
… Read More

What does renewal mean to you?

As summer winds down, students return to school and the sense of new beginnings is in the air, it is now time to reflect, recharge and renew our commitment to what is important to us.

As a Jewish person, I am just about to experience Jewish New Year. It is almost here (Oct 2 is the day!). In order to prepare myself I prepared a house journey map, which I gladly share with you!

You can call it -Your personal journey map… Read More

There are those precious moments in life that you just want to savor before sharing with the world. One of those moments happened to me in January 2024 during an unexpected snowstorm in Portland. Like thousands of others, Bob and I lost electricity, heat, and even internet—for 12 days!… Read More

When I left my work in the education field 6 years ago, I made a decision to talk, present, and influence adults.

For 30 years until 2018, I motivated, influenced, and educated middle school, high school, and college students. While I enjoyed it immensely, I realized that since parents have the greatest influence over their children, I wanted to address adults and parents. My goal was to empower them to bring my messages into their interactions and parenting. In the last six years, I’ve reached a great number of people.… Read More

In just a couple of weeks, I will be presenting to women leaders at the University of Memphis. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a woman leader. How different is it for women compared to men?
In my last training, I witness a conversation between professional women in the real estate world. They spoke about the expectations men often have of them—“Will you take notes for the meeting today?” or “Can you please make us a good cup of coffee?” They also shared experiencing imposter syndrome, thinking, “Perhaps I don’t belong here; they all seem so much smarter and better than I am.”
I recognize where these feelings are coming from, but the question is, what can be done to address them?… Read More

I just returned from an incredible conference for speakers, the National Speakers Association (NSA) conference. Imagine the best of the best national speakers all in one place—over 4,000 of them! It was an impressive and truly awesome experience.
However, it can also be quite intimidating. At times, I let my saboteurs take over, feeling intimidated and thinking, “Can I do this? Will I be this successful? Everyone seems more successful than me.” None of these thoughts are true, and most are not logical, yet they still crept into my mind.… Read More

It’s no accident that I chose my brand to be “Oy to Joy!” One of the most surprising elements of resilience I share during my talks is the value of joy. It’s not just about bouncing back—it’s about thriving and finding joy even in the face of challenges. Joy exists in the chamber of NOW.

Joy isn’t something you plan for the future. You don’t say, “I’ll be joyful tomorrow,” right? Joy is something you feel in the present. So how can we conquer Joy?… Read More

Never underestimate your power.

There will always be moments when you are put to the test—at work and at home, dealing with projects or people, managing your emotions while trying to help others.

So often, we think hard about how to solve a problem, focusing on what we need to do right now. We rely on our analytical minds to find solutions. Yet, when we over-rely on our analytical minds, we can miss some of the solutions because we have tunnel vision, seeing only what’s in front of us.… Read More

The Practice of Positive Intelligence: Enhancing Wellness, Relationships, and Performance
 And I purposefully list them in this order.
Wellness is the Foundation
Can you sustain a positive, long-term relationship if your wellness isn’t at its best? Can you achieve consistent productivity and higher performance at work without prioritizing your wellness? Not likely. … Read More

If man is by nature a social animal, as Aristotle indicated, then we know we’re influenced by the culture that surrounds us 🌍. Culture is immensely important, and I realize its significance more and more each passing day.

So, what exactly is culture?… Read More

Ever feel like you’re standing at a crossroads, knowing you need to change but resisting the thought of it?

I love good food. My morning coffee with homemade banana or pumpkin bread, a glass of wine once a week, a nice pasta dish with crusty bread, a juicy piece of meat, some popcorn in front of the TV, and a sweet dessert after dinner.

Sounds delightful, right? What could possibly go wrong?… Read More

Curled up in my airplane window seat recently I watched for the second time the movie “Joy.” It wasn’t just entertainment; it was a serendipitous encounter with a reflection of my own journey. Watching Jennifer Lawrence embody Joy Mangano, the tenacious inventor, sparked a memory – my own transformation from education director to “hope activator” a path paved with unexpected twists and the ever-present power of belief. Self-belief.… Read More

As kids we knew that our BBQ dinner depended on the swiftness of the fanning and we all took turns to light the fire and then keep it going. We were drooling just thinking at the end results- yummy middle eastern kabobs!

I often think about it and share this story in my trainings when I talk about leadership. … Read More

Life often feels overwhelmingly busy. Despite planning to “walk” through life, I find myself constantly running—running to appointments, running to finish tasks by the end of the day, running through my endless to-do list.

Each day, my list of tasks and milestones grows longer. At the end of the day, I ask myself, “Dorice, did you do everything on the list?” The answer is often a disappointing no.… Read More

We’re all humans, and it’s not uncommon for us to make mistakes. In fact, it might be more accurate to say that we often make mistakes. We do or say the wrong things, entertain unproductive thoughts, and experience less-than-ideal emotions. These actions don’t always align with the image we have of ourselves or the person we aspire to be.
… Read More

Let’s be honest—sometimes it’s tough to stay humble when you want to share all your accomplishments.
You’ve reached milestones, completed challenging tasks, achieved a promotion, written incredible editorials, and received glowing testimonials for your performance. And the list can go on and on… I totally hear you..

So, how do you keep humility in check?… Read More

I wanted to take a moment to share something meaningful that transcends religious boundaries and speaks to our shared human experiences.… Read More

I wanted to take a moment to share something meaningful that transcends religious boundaries and speaks to our shared human experiences.… Read More

“Dorice, how can we handle challenging situations, and challenging people?” Who does not want to know the answer to this question — NO ONE.
That was a question I was asked as I led a group of 14 leaders in a recent coaching group… Read More

In my last email I talked about my story of resilience. It is not a story of great heroism, but a day where I had so much setback. A day so negative. I know that many can relate. Am I right? … Read More

A client asked me recently if one can truly love themselves constantly.

This particular individual was extremely disappointed in themselves which made them feel a diminished sense of self love. … Read More

How hard is it for you to forgive and forget? Do you ever find yourself harboring negative feelings about someone’s actions long after the fact? If you’re like most of us (or at least me!), the answer is probably “yes.” … Read More

One of my clients is struggling.

She is a professional woman working outside of the home, raising small children, Her partner works long hours, and her boss is less than accommodating. She trying to be EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE.… Read More

My son Yaniv said I was paranoid! There is some truth in it.
What prompted this? He was leaving for spring break at 6 pm and driving 18 hours to get to San Diago…with 5 other college kids! That’s what prompted it. Can anyone here relate?… Read More

Have you ever spoken to someone thinking “How can I deliver this thought for their sake and not
for my sake? How can I say something not to get it off my chest but for the message to be heard
by the other person?”… Read More

Leprosy is described in the Torah as a skin disease that can manifest in your skin, clothing, and even your house. Rabbis throughout the centuries described leprosy as a manifestation and even punishment for “evil speech,” commonly known as gossip and called in Hebrew lashon hara. … Read More

Do we allow for playfulness on our team?
I say, “Teams that enjoy each other join each other”
When individuals enjoy hanging around each other when they joke, and have a good time together, it spills over to the work days.… Read More

How would you live the rest of your life if you knew that?
What changes would you make? Would you choose differently? Would you act differently?… Read More

“Are you done for today?” My husband was coming down the stairs from his home office at about 5 PM. I looked up from my computer and I heard him say “I am done for today.”… Read More

I want to share a story from years ago. If you wonder why I even remember this
story, it's because I experience and see it nowadays. It’s a story about competing
and comparing ourselves to other people.… Read More

I recently heard an African quote that stopped me in my tracks and slowed me down.

“If you want to go faster, go alone. If you want to go farther, go together.”… Read More

It is crazy how time flies since our WIPN webinar about Positive Intelligence. I hope you can still benefit from its impact! … Read More

Every year at this time, I think of my first day in fourth grade
 
My mother sent my sister and me on the first day of school, in a city we do not know,  to a
school we’d never been to. All by ourselves.… Read More

Jewish message with universal meaning.

Some of you know that once a week I attend my local synagogue and volunteer to lead parts of the service. This week I was assigned to read from the scrolls, ancient Jewish text we call Torah (first 5 books of the bible)… Read More

So what is SPIRE? If you have been searching for a comprehensive way to become HAPPY, read on!… Read More

“Who are you?” asked my soon to be married son, when he saw me. It was the Friday evening as the celebration of his upcoming wedding weekend began.… Read More

I am often invited to speak about Positivity in the workplace. And typically, a conversation about the differences between “toxic” positivity and the message and the tools that I bring forth come up.… Read More

Dorice, How can we handle challenging situations with people who have not attended Positive Intelligence training?
That was a question I was asked last week as I led a group of 14 leaders from HP!Who does NOT want to know how to handle challenging situations with challenging people whether they have taken the training or not ?– NO ONE. … Read More

I have been out of touch for a while! My son got married, that is why:)
Those who know me know that I am a person who loves celebrations! Give me a reason to celebrate. Let me dance, sing and rejoice! And I promise will step up to the plate. I will even do it when no one is watching! The last two weeks have been a continuous celebration of my son’s wedding. … Read More

Have you ever experienced wilderness? Being in the middle of absolutely no where?
I remember such an experience during my army days. I was to take my group of soldiers and walk to an unknown destination. We used topography, (a map that shows the natural and physical features of the nearby area) to get us acclimated and direct us to our final destination. … Read More

She was shaking. Her hands were trembling and her face was showing sighs of anguish.
That was the barista who served my coffee today.
I scheduled to meet a client who just returned from Nicaragua to hear about her experience and plan our next coaching session for her and her partner, and we were the next in line. It was taking a long time and I began making judgments about the service…… Read More

Imagine yourself in the following situation: You have worked for a particular company for some time, maybe years, maybe months. And let’s assume you have accomplished something, does not matter what, during your time—a project, an assignment, customer satisfaction, you name it. How would you feel if no one mentions it? If you get no recognition?… Read More

I think I am smart. Actually, I know I am smart, and I bet most of you think (and justly so) that you are also smart. Am I right?
If you are reading this, I agree with you- YOU. ARE. SMART (Isn’t this statement a wonderful way to start your week?!). And yet, we keep on making the same mistakes (over and over) along the way.… Read More

Growing up, I observed my mom lit 7 candles every Friday evening. While it is a Jewish custom to light the Sabbath candles to symbolize the beginning of Sabbath (starting Friday evening), different people light different number of candles. … Read More

When I read stories from the Torah (the first five books of the bible), I always try to glean messages that inspire me in my own life’s journey and also help others with whom I am connected to benefit from centuries old wisdom. To continue the legacy of serving and sharing my knowledge to the betterment of my community and the world I live in.

I can be speaking about a lot of things in this week’s Torah portion. I can talk about Jacob buying the firstborn right and then stealing the blessing; I can talk about Isaac and his gullible aspect of not realizing that Jacob is pretending to be Esau. So many good nuggets, and I want to focus on Rebecca, the mother of two children and what we can learn about her through the lens of Positive Intelligence.

And with that I bring you Rebecca and her Controlling Saboteur!… Read More

A few months back, way before the Olympics, I added a tagline to my website logo which consisted of the first letter of the Alpha Bet, called Alef. Then I added “Find Your Champion Within.” In the last two weeks I have been reflecting deeply how do these two really coincide, what do they mean, and how we can all lean into it in our everyday life. Would love to hear what you think! … Read More

The other day I was in a conversation with another coach. Upon hearing about her success, I was filled with doubts about my own ability to be successful. The thoughts that filled my mind included: “Who would want you to coach them? Are you good enough? Do you know enough? Maybe you have been lucky so far and your luck is going to end….really soon.”

Can you relate?

And if so, what do you do when your brain keeps conveying these thoughts to you? Do you resign to the fears that you are indeed not going to be successful? Read on..… Read More

Lessons learned when you choose one thing and not another…and it feels like you are Missing In Action…… Read More

This is me- age 2! I wanted to dress up for the holiday of Purim as Queen Esther, but my mom said that my sister is already the queen so I have to be the king. It made me cry..if you look closely you can actually see the tears. Many years later, whenever I want to reach deep down into the power of empathy, which sometimes I feel I lack, I look at this picture. Empathy is one of the necessary powers to live a meaningful life. Read this blog to understand its power in your own life.… Read More

Is our destination determined before our journey begins, or does it evolve as a result of our travel? In our travel, we find meaning. In our journey we find the purpose. I connect it here with the Hebrews travel in the desert. Check it out!… Read More

As I was walking in my daughter’s new neighborhood, I met a neighbor who told me that the sun room I have been spending a lot of time in was used as a storage space with the previous owners. A beautiful space completely clutter and unused….So of course, immediately I think of our minds, the ways and the need to declutter…… Read More

Last weekend I officiated a Bar Mitzvah in the beautiful outdoors, looking at the beautiful Oregon Hills and reflecting on the word calling. I came up with three levels of calling, the third and the highest level is what life is all about…… Read More

I have been practicing Positive Intelligence tools for a year now and wow, the difference it made. Not only on my life but those who are around me. Do you want to listen to a Saturday morning reflection and consider how this method can affect your life? Read on…… Read More

Would you interrupt your coaching session to have an acknowledging moment? I did! It was so wonderful that I even created a podcast about it! And in the process, I shared a story told by my mother and the learned lessons to influence our lives today! Here is the blog version of it!… Read More

You are in a meeting and it suddenly goes south…people are getting a bit upset..If you are a leader or not..what do you do?… Read More

Don’t Judge me as I share this vulnerable story with you about my self- defeating behavior.… Read More

When the Oxford English Dictionary declared “brain rot” as the word of the year, my first thought was, “Really?!” But on reflection, it makes sense—it perfectly captures the mental fog from endless distractions and mindless scrolling. In this article, I’ll share how we can shift from brain rot to brain resilience with practical steps to nourish our minds and reclaim our joy. Let’s train our brains for a brighter, more focused 2025!.… Read More