Jolie explained that she went public about her medical procedure in order to encourage a discussion about the risks of breast cancer and the various alternatives to deal with it. Noting that every woman’s circumstances might be different, she had thoroughly researched her options and came to her own decision with the support of her family and medical team. Jolie encourages every woman to take control and make her own informed choices.

With close to a quarter-million women diagnosed with breast cancer each year, discussion about Jolie’s article has hit close to home for many American families. Most of us have a close friend or family member who’s had breast cancer – or we’ve had it ourselves. So both in person and over the Internet, women have been discussing the types of screening available, the pros and cons of preventative treatment, and the various options for therapy if breast cancer is diagnosed.

Since mammography is the most widespread screening tool offered, it’s important to make it available to low-income women, many of whom are without health insurance. This summer, we’ll be participating in a unique fundraising activity, raising money to help support the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Breast Examination Center of Harlem. It’s called a MoonWalk and will take place in New York. We’ll begin at midnight and complete a full or half-marathon, power walking the streets of Manhattan.

As a breast cancer survivor myself, I’ve participated in many walks in the past to raise funds for breast cancer research and treatment. Each time, I’ve felt inspired by the other women participating and empowered by my own efforts. So I’m looking forward to being a part of the Moonwalk this July in New York. Join us if you can!

Changing your attitudes and expectations about stress can modify your responses to new stressful events. Learning how to redefine stress as a challenge ahead of time can limit the increases in cortisol and other physiological markers of stress, allowing you to feel less tense yet more focused. You can choose to reframe the experience of fear and instead view the effects of adrenaline – your heart pumping strongly and your body going into high alert – as beneficial to your task at hand, helping you to perform better.

Stress can be productive when you feel in control over your work experience and optimistic that you have the power to steer your career in the direction you want. Believing that your efforts bring meaning and purpose to your life is a plus and helps buffer the tension and hassles you might otherwise experience.

When you have a boss or co-workers who give you support and encouragement, it allows you to grow more self-confident about accomplishing your objectives. If you need to look for validation outside of your close associates, a peer-support group can be helpful in turning your bad stress into a more constructive motivator.

Since moderate stress plays an important part in growth – psychological and even physical – now is the time to learn how to harness it for your benefit, at work and at home. Check out our tips on how to turn a crisis into a challenge and then join the conversation by using the Leave a Reply link to share what has helped you turn bad stress into good.

This quote underscores how women value family, as evidenced by card-carrying Sandwich Generation moms working hard to support kids growing up and parents growing older. If you’re the child, mother or partner of such a dedicated woman, how do you plan to celebrate her this Mother’s Day? Here are a few practical ideas:

If you’re the child of a SG mom and you get daily reminders about cleaning your room, finishing your homework, practicing your instrument, or doing your chores, how about this? Why not give mom an IOU – a week of full cooperation – and then follow through. You may like the results so much that you decide to make it a habit.

If you’re the parent of a SG mom and becoming more dependent, try to carry your share of the load. Your help may include cooking dinner once a week, calling without complaining, babysitting every so often. You’ll see how much your daughter appreciates your efforts and it may even make you feel more a part of the family.

If you’re the partner of a SG mom, listen to what your wife has to say and learn a lot about what she needs. Tell her she’s doing a great job managing the challenges of kids and parents. Jump in and drive the morning carpool or the folks to their doctors’ appointments. Take the kids to the park so she can sleep in. Plan a surprise like a night at the theater or a weekend away.

It’s wonderful to honor mom on Mother’s Day. But why not think about living every day with gratitude for the woman devoted to caring for three generations of family?

Do you think this applies to your life? It does if you’re often frustrated and irritable, having physical symptoms, anxious or worried about getting it all done, tired but not sleeping well, neglecting your own needs.

As we struggle to balance work life with caring for family and taking care of ourselves, a high level of stress takes a toll on relationships and well-being. With Mother’s Day fast approaching, there’s no better time than now to get our stress under control:

What are your specific stressors? Identify the situations and circumstances that make you feel like it’s hard to breathe. Who and what are the major challenges – teens, parents, boomerang kids, a health crisis, work issues, financial concerns.

Why do they have such a negative impact? Your attitude and behavior may be getting in the way. You’ll cope better if you try to shift your perspective. Prioritize what is important and delegate chores to your parents and kids. Learn how to say no to nonessentials. And find ways for others, perhaps caregivers, to lighten your load so you can take a break.

How can you better manage your stress? Remember to pay attention to your health by getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, making time for yourself, relying on a strong support system. Pencil in regular stress-reducing activities – a short walk, lunch with friends, yoga or meditation. You deserve it.

Mothers often put family needs first and neglect themselves. Instead, let’s commit to better stress management and be the poster moms for our families. None of us want burnout, especially on Mother’s Day. So log on here Thursday for insight and ideas about how families can nurture mom on her special day.

According to a study done several years ago by Charities Aid Foundation, America is the most philanthropic country in the world. Two-thirds of Americans donate to charity every year. As a percentage of gross domestic product, Americans give twice as much money as the next most charitable country. Studies considering what motivates the contributions have found that those with a religious affiliation tend to give more. Altruism and empathy also play a part, with givers identifying with the needy. And parents often teach their kids from an early age about the value of making charitable donations.

Volunteering is another way of giving – of time and energy. Volunteers are more engaged in their communities and feel more grateful for what they have. A survey conducted by Independent Sector found that households in which members volunteer for charitable causes also give more than twice as much to charities than do households that do not have volunteering members. They report feeling happier because of their efforts, experiencing a “helper’s high.”

What about you? How do you give yourself a “helpers high?” Think about where you’d like to volunteer next and let us hear from you about your experiences.

The horror of the Boston Marathon bombings was a shock felt by millions of us. Of course the victims – as well as their families, friends and first responders – were affected most acutely. With 3 people killed that day and 264 injured, that traumatic experience could have stopped everyone in their tracks. But we continue to hear stories of courage, heroism, dedication and resiliency among average citizens as well as professionals.

And now we are learning more about the reactions to the bombing from individuals and corporations here at home and throughout the world. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick set up One Fund Boston to raise money and distribute it to support those who were injured or killed that day. In only the first week, more than $20 million was raised from over 60 corporations and 50,000 individuals across the country and around the globe.

What inspires people to unite behind this cause with such a strong sense of purpose? At times of crisis, we look for ways to draw together and support each other. Our differences do not seem as important as our shared experience of suffering. When we reach out to others in need, we gain much for ourselves as well – the knowledge that we have made a difference in improving the lives of others, a ‘helpers high’, and a greater sense of efficacy. We recognize that while we sometimes can’t control a situation, we can decide how we react to it. We hope to be able, in some small way, to make something positive come out of a terribly negative event.

As of today the totals at www.onefundboston.org exceed $27 million, with over $17 million coming from corporations and over $9 million from individuals. Sports teams have rallied and grass roots fund-raising has ranged from sales of Boston Strong T-shirts to a haircut-a-thon and a Pilates boot camp. With Kenneth Feinberg administering the compensations to be paid out, there is a high level of confidence that the funds will be distributed appropriately yet as Feinberg himself said, “It’s a wonderful outpouring, but it will not make people whole.”

We’re in uncharted territory. Digital devices have changed the very essence of how we communicate, as most recently demonstrated by the deadly bombings during the 2013 annual Boston Marathon.

On the one hand, there are positives about social media during a crisis. In 140 characters or less we can connect quickly with loved ones – get details, reassurance, bad news, relief, or comfort.

But without fact checking there are often inaccuracies and a rush to judgment. False identification or misinformation by amateur sleuths can cause frustration and sometimes heartache.

There are other disadvantages. With easy access to YouTube channels and jihadist websites but no policing agency, it’s like the Wild West. Anyone can gain access to individuals who may be disturbed, alienated, vulnerable, marginalized or enraged. In fact, it’s likely that, through the Internet, the Tsarnaev brothers radicalized their views, were exposed to terrorist propaganda and learned how to build the pressure-cooker bombs.

The world experienced a ‘new normal’ in the reporting that followed the Boston attacks and subsequent manhunt. The competition between social media and traditional journalism contributed to the misinformation and confusion. In the end, new technology shed light on the investigation through crowd-sourced digital images and video footage. And a victim who lost his legs in the attack may have helped identify one of the brothers who placed an explosive device close to him.

Bottom line, we’re still vulnerable. But we can’t remain on high alert or succumb to despair. Now, more than ever, we need to look out for one another – and think about what we bring to the conversation before clicking ‘send.’

It was Patriots Day in Boston, a day filled with history, tradition and rituals. The violent attack, in the midst of celebration, rekindled vulnerable feelings for all of us. With 24/7 media coverage and five days of chaos and terror, it seemed like the whole nation was having a stress reaction.

Of course we all want answers.

Was Tamerlan Tsarnaev a mentor to his brother, Dzhokhar, embittered toward the U.S., influenced by religious extremism, planning other attacks? Was he anti-America and self-radicalized or tutored and trained? And if in fact the brothers were the spiders, where is the web?

It has been 12 years since 9/11 and times have changed. We live in a more dangerous world and we’re less safe in America. Islamic rage did not disappear with the death of Osama bin Laden. This is a new era with suspicious packages and the loss of innocence, with children fearful and parents anxious.

So many people spoke up about their suspicions, shared smart phone pictures and information – joined together, looking for the suspects. Tragedy brings out the best in people, as evidenced by the courage of first responders and the spirit of Boston. Please log on again Thursday, when we’ll be focusing on the digital impact.

But what we also saw was heroic behavior by bystanders, first responders and hospital trauma teams. We learned of the cooperative, inclusive actions of the community, joining together to aid and support those in need. The support has reached beyond the city itself as rival sports teams from New York and Chicago have acted in solidarity with Boston. Just as we’ve come together to be as one with our neighbors after other tragedies, again we find our strength by reaching out to others and holding their hands in ours.

We’ve all been touched by this latest threat to our security. If you are feeling in need of support yourself, reach out to your network of friends and professionals to help you cope. And here on our website Resources, you’ll find some suggestions about techniques to reduce your level of stress and those which help build resilience after a setback. We hope they’re useful for you. And please use the Leave a Reply button below to let us know how you’re doing in your search for effective ways to manage this latest trauma.

To be honest, none of us really likes to lose. Sure we have the cliché responses reassuring us: It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. Or: You learn more from failure than success. But given the choice, most kids – and adults – would rather win than lose. But that’s not really the question since usually we don’t have that option. Rather the outcome of a game – or any endeavor – may stem from uncontrollable factors such as chance and other people’s actions as well as from our own efforts and abilities.

Yet we can choose how to respond after a loss and there are good role models for us to follow, in competitive games and in life, such as legendary coach, John Wooden. His perspective on how to create ‘Competitive Greatness’ can serve as a foundation for our own actions as we strive for success.

When I was growing up, girls generally didn’t have as many opportunities to compete in sports – and therefore didn’t have the same numerous experiences of losing – as did young men. Consequently, we were slow to develop good skills to cope with failure. Ever since Title IX was put into place, providing for more funding for girls’ sports programs, young women have been more exposed to the sports lessons of winning and losing. And we’ve learned from those encounters how to strive again after a loss. 

So given the fact that we likely will have many situations in which we are not the winners, what do we learn from those experiences and how do we then move forward? Check back later this week, for some suggestions about how to pick yourself up after a loss, engage your resilience and get back into the ring.