Take the Leap: The Power of Healthy Risk
When’s the last time you took a chance? Stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something you were afraid to do?
Have you ever just said yes to those plans? Jumped feet-first into a new hobby? Maybe you took a new route home, struck up a conversation with someone new, or finally shared something you’ve been creating in secret.
Healthy risk-taking is a powerful way to mix up our routines, add excitement when we’re feeling stuck, and open up our world. Growth doesn’t come from staying safe and comfortable — it comes from leaning into the unknown, even just a little.
Think about the people we admire most: innovators, artists, athletes, leaders. None of them got there by playing it safe. Oprah Winfrey was once told she wasn’t “fit for TV.” Instead of giving up, she leaned into what made her unique, empathy, curiosity, and authenticity and changed television forever. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team before becoming a legend. Steve Jobs famously said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
Healthy risk doesn’t always guarantee success but it always guarantees movement. And movement is where growth lives.
When I was in high school, a teacher once told our class we could do whatever we wanted for our final project as long as we tried our best and connected with it.
“You could even write a song,” he said casually.
I remember thinking, Wait… I could make a song for school? That one small invitation changed the trajectory of my life.
The first lesson was realizing I could think outside the box and it would be okay, even if it didn’t go perfectly. The second was realizing I could connect my passions with my practice. Fast forward 18 years, and I’ve built a career intertwining music and psychology creating social-emotional songs and videos that teach kids about feelings, kindness, and confidence.
It all started with one small risk raising my hand and saying, “Okay, I’ll try something different.”
So, what’s your version of that?
Maybe you love drawing but have never tried ceramics, dip your toes in and see what happens. Maybe you love running but have always wanted to join a group race. Or maybe your healthy risk is emotional, reaching out to someone you’ve lost touch with, applying for that opportunity you’ve been overthinking, or sharing your creativity with others.
Your Challenge
This week, take one healthy risk, something that feels just outside your comfort zone but still safe enough to try. It might not go perfectly, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t success, it’s courage.
Write it down, reflect on how it felt, and remind yourself:
Growth doesn’t happen by standing still.
Ever held a grudge so long it started holding you?
Grudges
Have you ever been so angry when someone does something you don’t like? Maybe you just can’t forgive that guy who made your space messy, or that girl who grabbed the last scoop of your favorite ice cream flavor. Grudges are sticky—they cling to us like bubblegum and can be really hard to peel off.
The thing is, those heavy feelings take up so much space in our bodies and our minds that sometimes, there’s no room left for the good stuff—peace, gratitude, joy, and connection.
This week was Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It’s a time for reflection, forgiveness, and fresh starts. It’s about releasing the past, seeking reconciliation, and healing relationships—including the one you have with yourself. Because let’s be honest: some of the deepest grudges we carry are against us.
My Story
I’ll be honest—I’m not immune to holding grudges.
A while back, I let a friend use my space. They didn’t clean up, left things messy, and didn’t show much gratitude. Instead of speaking up, I swallowed my frustration and told myself it wasn’t a big deal. But inside, I was simmering like a pot left on high.
Over time, that quiet resentment started leaking into other parts of my life. I found myself snapping at small things, carrying tension I couldn’t quite name. It wasn’t really about the mess anymore—it was about me not setting a boundary or speaking up for what I needed.
That experience taught me something big: grudges grow best in silence. And sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for yourself and others is to be honest early, before the resentment takes root.
Why We Hold On
Grudges can feel good at first. They’re like emotional bubble wrap—we keep popping them to remind ourselves we were right and they were wrong.
But underneath that satisfying snap, a grudge is rarely about the other person. It’s often about us trying to feel seen, safe, or validated after getting hurt. Somewhere along the way, it can even become part of our identity—“the person who got wronged.”
The problem? Grudges don’t actually heal anything. They just keep the wound fresh so we can keep checking it.
The real healing begins when we turn inward—acknowledge the pain, offer ourselves the compassion we wanted from them, and realize we don’t have to keep carrying that emotional backpack forever.
Letting go isn’t saying what happened was okay. It’s saying:
“I’d like my peace back now.”
“I’d like my free brain space.”
Grudges Are Teachers
I’ve started seeing grudges as emotional check-engine lights. They’re not bad… but rather, they’re signals. They’re telling us something deeper needs attention:
A boundary we ignored
A need we didn’t express
A hurt we never processed
Instead of covering that light with duct tape and pretending we’re fine, we can pause and ask:
👉 What is this grudge trying to teach me?
Your Challenge This Week
Take a few minutes to reflect on a grudge—big or small—that you’ve been holding.
Step 1: Write it all out. The frustration, the hurt, every little detail. Don’t hold back—get it on paper.
Step 2: Thank the grudge for what it taught you. Maybe it showed you where to set a boundary, speak up, or practice self-compassion.
Step 3: Crumple the paper and toss it. Physically let it go.
Feel what it’s like to release that weight.
Because forgiveness isn’t about them.
It’s about freeing you.
“You’ll feel free… when you finally let it go.”
The Power of Helping
Helping is more than just a word — it’s how we show kindness, build stronger communities, and make the world brighter. 🎵 The Helping Song is a fun reminder for kids (and adults!) that big or small, every act of helping matters. Adam Parker School Psychologist
As I walk home through a rainstorm, I find myself wondering what “helping” really means. Is it holding the door for someone with their hands full? Checking in on a friend just to see how they’re doing? Saying “thank you” when someone asks how you are? Helping can be all of these things and more.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a text message or a phone call. Other times, it’s devoting an afternoon to help a friend move into a new apartment, knowing your only reward will be a sore back and a slice of pizza. At its core, helping is about showing up for others—friends, strangers, and anyone who needs it.
Why Helping Matters
When we help, we’re not just making someone else’s day easier. We’re building stronger connections and healthier communities. Helping is contagious—it inspires others to step up too. A small act of kindness can ripple outward, making our classrooms, neighborhoods, and families more supportive and joyful places.
Helping in Education
Education is often called a “helping profession.” Teachers, psychologists, social workers, and principals devote their time and energy to guiding young minds forward. Much of our work is about teaching lessons we’ve already learned ourselves—sometimes through mistakes, sometimes through textbooks and research, and often through life experience. Helping in education means listening, encouraging, and lifting others up.
But helping in education doesn’t just come from school staff—it also comes from parents. Parents are their children’s first helpers and role models, showing them what kindness and generosity look like long before they enter a classroom. Whether it’s supporting with homework, modeling respect for others, or encouraging their child to be a good friend, parents play a huge role in building a culture of helping that extends into schools and communities.
Everyday Acts of Help
Helping doesn’t always look heroic. Sometimes it’s picking up trash at the park. Sometimes it’s walking with a friend through the rain just to listen. Sometimes it’s being the sounding board someone else needs in a tough moment.
A Challenge
Find one way to help today. Maybe that’s sitting with someone at lunch who looks alone, picking up trash in the hallway, or telling a classmate “good job” after a presentation. Maybe it’s helping your younger sibling with homework or simply saying “thank you” when someone shows you kindness.
Helping doesn’t have to be big….it just has to be real. And the more we help, the more we create classrooms and schools where everyone feels like they belong.
Self Talk Superhero
Join Adam Parker, school psychologist and educator, as he explores the power of positive self-talk. Learn how to become a “self-talk superhero,” why the words we say to ourselves matter, and try a simple mirror activity to boost confidence and resilience every day.
What do you say to yourself when something is hard?
Do you hear, “I can do it”? Or does your mind slip into “I should just give up”? Maybe it’s “I’m strong and powerful!” … or sometimes, just “What if…?”
Self-talk—the words and tone we use with ourselves—matters more than we realize. It’s like a hidden soundtrack playing all day, guiding how we act, how we feel, and how we bounce back from challenges.
Everyday Superpowers
Think about your daily routine. You’ve already been a superhero today:
You defeated the villain of the snooze button and got out of bed.
You conquered the challenge of showing up—at school, at work, or at home—ready to tackle the day.
You’ve already navigated social interactions, chores, and responsibilities.
Yet, most of us forget to give ourselves credit for these victories. We brush them off as “normal life,” but they’re proof that you’re capable, resilient, and stronger than you think.
Why Self-Talk Is So Important
Our brains are wired to hold onto negative thoughts more tightly than positive ones. It’s called the negativity bias. That’s why one unkind comment can echo in our minds longer than five compliments. When we pile on our own negative self-talk, it’s like handing the villain extra weapons.
Positive self-talk doesn’t mean ignoring struggles, it means reminding yourself that you’ve overcome hard things before and you can do it again. It builds confidence, reduces stress, and helps you recover more quickly from mistakes. In other words, it’s your superhero cape: invisible to others, but powerful enough to help you soar.
My Morning Practice
Lately, I’ve been trying to start my day with kind words in the mirror. For example:
“Ok Mr. Parker, it’s Monday. You are capable, you are fun, you get to connect with students today, and you’re good at it. Let’s go!”
It feels silly sometimes, but superheroes talk to themselves too. They remind themselves of their mission before heading into battle. Why shouldn’t we?
Try This: The Self-Talk Superhero Activity
Name Your Superhero Persona. Give yourself a fun title. (Maybe Captain Confidence or The Amazing Optimist.)
Write Your Catchphrase. Create one short, powerful line you can say when things get tough. (“I’ve got this.” “One step at a time.” “I’m stronger than I think.”)
Do the Mirror Test. Tomorrow morning, look at yourself in the mirror and say your catchphrase out loud. Notice how it feels.
Catch the Villain. When a negative thought sneaks in during the day, imagine it as the “villain” and replace it with your superhero line.
Final Reminder
Negative thoughts are sticky—they cling like gum to your shoes. But your superhero words are stronger. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn, every new situation a chance to try. You’ve been amazing all along, and your self-talk can remind you of that truth.
So, put on your invisible cape, call yourself by your superhero name, and go face the day.
Because you already are a self-talk superhero.
Finding Yourself in Alone Time
Alone time isn’t about shutting the world out—it’s about finding your voice, lowering stress, and building confidence in the quiet moments. In this week’s blog, I share why taking space for yourself matters, how it shaped me growing up, and practical ways you can make room for solitude in your own life.
I struggled with this week’s blog and which lens to write from. Do I write as Adam the school psychologist, sharing the lessons I see children practicing each week in schools? Or do I write as someone who also needs those same skills in his own life? Maybe the truth is that they intersect, because I am not only teaching these skills, I am practicing them too.
This week is all about alone time.
For adult me, that looks like getting in my car after work with the backseat filled with snacks, layered clothing, and my guitar, and heading straight for the mountains. For you, it might look like curling up in a hammock with headphones, burying your head in a good book, or walking through the park. The point is not where you are, it’s the act of stepping away from the things that demand your attention and rediscovering who you are when nobody is asking anything of you.
In a previous blog, I wrote about recharging. While alone time certainly recharges us, it also helps us find ourselves. Alone time gives our brains space to process all we take in during the day. When we are always surrounded by people, devices, and responsibilities, it’s easy to lose track of our own voice. Quiet moments give us clarity, lower our stress, and build resilience. Alone time is not about shutting the world out, it’s about strengthening yourself so you can show up better when you step back into it.
Growing up as an only child, my alone time was vast. I would sing and dance in the mirror, ride my bike to faraway lands (okay, really just the park two blocks away, but to me it felt like an epic adventure), and sit in my room drawing quirky characters with even quirkier backstories. That space gave me permission to be uniquely me, to get comfortable with my own oddness. And when we feel comfortable in our own skin, we grow. Who better to build that relationship with than the face you wake up to each morning?
Think about what you like to do when you’re taking space: long walks, zoning out to your favorite playlist, doodling in a notebook, building Legos, playing with your pet, or even lying in the grass staring at the sky. Try carving out time each week for one of those things. If it helps, schedule it, maybe every Friday from 3:00 to 3:30 is “hang out with myself” time. For some, it’s a solo weekend getaway; for others, it’s ten quiet minutes before bed.
Every big singer on stage, every teacher in front of a class, every player on the field, at some point, they built themselves up during quiet, unseen moments. Alone time is where confidence grows its roots. Build that confidence in the safety of your own space, and then carry it into the world.
Take the time. You are worth it.