Thrive Blog

Our Thrive Team has written on a variety of topics that focus on thriving.

All Posts

Take a Breath: How Breath Work Provides a Portal to Our Spiritual Lives

By Jilleen Westbrook | November 28, 2023

“…then the Lord God formed the human from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’ and the human…

> Read More

Want more Love and Goodness? Savor Gratitude

By Pamela Ebstyne King | October 23, 2023

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed…

> Read More

Life off Autopilot: The Complexities of Activating into Purpose

By Pamela Ebstyne King | September 22, 2023

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”…

> Read More

Observing the Body for Understanding

By Pamela Ebstyne King | September 22, 2023

A Practice for Spiritual Health A daily practice of tuning into our bodies can help us discern meaning. We often think of spiritual practices as…

> Read More

Questions to Promote Love and Meaning

By Pamela Ebstyne King | September 22, 2023

Thinking through paths out of anxiety and fear If it rings true for you that you need to train your brain to tone down anxiety…

> Read More

Life Off Autopilot: The Power of Purpose

By Pamela Ebstyne King | August 28, 2023

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. “The meaning of life is discovering our gift, the purpose of life is giving it away.” Pablo…

> Read More

Want to become more present, healthy, and connected? Pay attention to your body (Part 2)

By Lauren Van Vranken | August 21, 2023

Embodiment is when we feel “a sense of positive connection or being at one with our body.” H. McBride Last month I discussed the importance…

> Read More

Want to become more present, healthy, and connected? Pay attention to your body (Part 1)

By Lauren Van Vranken | August 1, 2023

“If you’re willing to pay attention to and dialogue with what’s happening inside of you, you’ll find that your body already knows the answers about…

> Read More

Adolescents and Spirituality: How Transcendent Experiences can Create Resilient Teens

By Sean Noe | June 1, 2023

Evidence from a study of youth in El Salvador For the last three years, I’ve been a Fellow at the Thrive Center as I pursue…

> Read More

The Friendship Edit: Creating Meaningful Connections in a Digital Age

By Pamela Ebstyne King | May 1, 2023

“Unmitigated technology use is currently impacting our relational capacities by replacing time with actual humans and inhibiting the development of social skills. Such use spreads…

> Read More

Living at the Intersection of Joy, Meaning, and Balance

By Pamela Ebstyne King | April 1, 2023

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to a group of women about finding meaning and joy in their lives. Who doesn’t want a joyful…

> Read More

The Divine Individuality of a Thriving Life

By Pamela Ebstyne King | March 1, 2023

“Thriving requires or presumes that the individual is growing as a person and also is making a contribution beyond the self.”  King & Mangan, 2023…

> Read More

Spring 2023: What We’re Reading About Purpose

By Jilleen Westbrook | March 1, 2023

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear Why we like this book: James Clear offers concrete steps we all can take to change…

> Read More
Woman's hands on Bible

Can a Hug a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

By Susan Mangan | February 1, 2023

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.” His Holiness, the Dalai Lama If you ask me, love is one of the most beautiful concepts there…

> Read More

The Balm of Being Loved and Held

By Pamela Ebstyne King | February 1, 2023

I I am often asked about strategies for thriving. “How do I thrive?” “What practices help with thriving?”  Thriving is complicated, and individuals thrive differently. However, I have…

> Read More

What is Thriving and Why is it Important?

By Pamela Ebstyne King | January 1, 2023

Thriving is living life on purpose. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b) Psychology and theology…

> Read More

The Power of Pausing in Gratitude

By Pamela Ebstyne King | December 1, 2022

Gratitude affect happiness and wellbeing primarily through positive relationships. We finding that beliefs matters toward experiences and practices of gratitude.

> Read More

The Power of Transcendence and Spirituality in a Modern World

By Pamela Ebstyne King | September 2, 2022

Pamela King reflects on the church of her youth and considers lessons from her current research findings about spirituality for the future.

> Read More

Moments of transcendence

By Jilleen Westbrook | September 2, 2022

According to psychologist and executive director of the Thrive Center, Pamela Ebstyne King, transcendent experiences are emotional responses, often profound, that inform how individuals see…

> Read More

Rethinking Traditional Church for a Modern Age

By Pamela Ebstyne King | August 1, 2022

Pamela King reflects on the church of her youth and how it deeply formed her identity, sense of purpose, and belonging.

> Read More

A Practice: The Five A’s for Agility in the Face of Change

By Pamela Ebstyne King | July 4, 2022

Finding joy requires practice. Learn how you can be agile and experience more joy through our 5-step process.

> Read More

Join Our Movement

Receive our FREE 10 Spiritual Practices for Thriving and be the first to learn about our latest resources and research developments by subscribing to our newsletter!

* indicates required