Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (July, 2026)

 

Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (July, 2026)

Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Truth to Thriving by Richard J. Davidson and Cortland Dahl (2026)

My take:

Why do some people navigate life’s challenges with resilience, while others are more vulnerable to stress-related disorders and poor mental health? One possible explanation lies in the ability to transform stress and anxiety into clarity, balance, and calm. In Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Truth to Thriving by Davidson and Dahl (2026), the authors explore two central questions: 1) What skills are essential for flourishing? and 2) Can we intentionally develop and strengthen our capacity to flourish?

According to the authors, flourishing is a skill that can be developed through practice. With as little as 5-minutes a day we can rewire our brain for greater resilience, focus, and well-being.

Davidson and Dahl created the Healthy Minds Framework highlighting four core components and skills to flourishing.

1) Awareness: the skill of attending to the present moment and being with our own thoughts and emotions in a healthy way

2) Connection: the skill of being present with others and our surroundings and the cultivation of qualities like appreciation and kindness that help us have healthy interactions and relationships.

3) Insight: the skill of building self-knowledge through self-inquiry, exploring how our thoughts, emotions, and sense of self shape our experience

4) Purpose: the skills of feeling connected to the core values and guiding motivations that lend meaning to our lives and pursuits

Awareness, insight, and connection keep us connected to our feelings in the present moment while purpose moves us to action.

The book is full of practical exercises including journaling and meditations with many more found in the Appendix so that you can find the exercises that resonate with you. For me personally, spending a few minutes a day being appreciative and thankful has helped me with irritants that pop up during the day.

I recommend this book for anyone who finds themselves constantly stressed or overwhelmed.

Have you tried any of the meditations or journaling? Have you noticed a change in your reactions to others? Has your well-being improved?

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