There is a quiet but persistent thread running through so much of what we experience as human beings — the tension between who we are and who we are becoming. We carry our bodies, our memories, our fears, and our hopes through every waking moment, navigating relationships that can either wound or restore us, societies that can either uplift or burden us, and an inner landscape that is constantly shifting beneath the surface. This issue of InnerSelf Magazine gathers voices from many different corners of life — music, medicine, politics, spirituality, and self-discovery — all circling around that same essential question: how do we live more fully, more honestly, and more wisely within the lives we have been given?
Whether you are tending to your physical health, seeking clarity in your relationships, working to rebuild your confidence after hardship, or simply pausing long enough to hear what your deeper self has to say, the articles we have gathered this week offer companionship along that road. We live in times that call for both courage and gentleness — courage to face what is true, and gentleness toward ourselves and others as we do the work of growing.
We are grateful you are here with us.
Robert Jennings & Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com
Featured This Week
Don't Lie To Me
By Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com
Honesty is the bedrock of every meaningful relationship, yet the temptation to soften, omit, or distort the truth runs deep in human nature. This article explores why we lie, why it matters so profoundly, and what we lose — and what we gain — when we choose radical honesty instead.
Just Say Yes! - Gloria Travers and The North Street Band
By Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
Music has a remarkable way of opening doors in us that we did not even know were closed. Gloria Travers and The North Street Band bring an irresistible invitation to embrace life with an open heart and a willingness to step forward. Sometimes the most transformative thing we can do is simply say yes.
Read More: Just Say Yes! - Gloria Travers and The North Street Band
Your Body Clock And How It Shapes Your Health
By Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Your body is constantly keeping time, and understanding those rhythms can be one of the most powerful steps you take toward better health. From sleep to digestion to hormone balance, your internal clock orchestrates more than most of us realize. Working with it rather than against it can change everything.
Why Young People Turned Out In Near Record Numbers For The 2026 Midterms
By Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Something shifted in 2026. Young Americans showed up at the polls in numbers that surprised many analysts, driven by concerns about their futures, their rights, and the kind of world they intend to inherit. This article looks at what motivated this generation and what it means for the road ahead.
Read More: Why Young People Turned Out In Near Record Numbers For The 2026 Midterms
The Transformative Power of a Short Pause
By Carl Greer PhD, PsyD
In a world that relentlessly rewards speed, the act of pausing feels almost radical. Yet it is in those brief moments of stillness that clarity arrives, compassion deepens, and wiser choices become possible. Carl Greer explores how even a few seconds of intentional pause can reshape our responses and our lives.
Rebuilding Self-Confidence After Domestic Violence
By Lara Sabanosh
Healing after domestic violence is not a straight line, and it is not quick. But it is possible. Lara Sabanosh offers a compassionate and practical look at how survivors can begin to reclaim their sense of self-worth, trust their own judgment again, and build a life grounded in safety and dignity.
Read More: Rebuilding Self-Confidence After Domestic Violence
Impact of Sleep Duration on Cognitive Decline
By Greg Elder, Northumbria University, Newcastle
How much sleep you get is not just a matter of feeling rested — it may directly influence how well your brain ages. Research is revealing important connections between sleep duration, brain health, and the risk of cognitive decline. What you do each night may matter more than you think for your long-term mind.
Accessing Intuition and Higher Wisdom for Everyone
By Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com
Intuition is not a gift reserved for a special few — it is a natural capacity that belongs to every human being. Marie T. Russell offers guidance on how to quiet the noise of daily life long enough to hear the deeper knowing that is always present, waiting to guide us toward our most authentic path.
Read More: Accessing Intuition and Higher Wisdom for Everyone
More From InnerSelf
Exploring the Healing Powers of Mugwort
By Emma Farrell
Long revered in traditional medicine systems around the world, mugwort is a herb of remarkable versatility. Emma Farrell takes us on a journey into the history, folklore, and contemporary uses of this ancient plant, exploring how it may support healing, dreaming, and overall well-being.
Challenges and Solutions for Quality Healthcare in America
By Robert Jennings, Innerself.com
The American healthcare system is both a marvel and a source of profound frustration for millions of people. Robert Jennings examines the structural and human factors that make quality care so hard to access for so many, and considers the realistic pathways toward a system that serves everyone more equitably.
Read More: Challenges and Solutions for Quality Healthcare in America
Combatting the Dangers of Sedentary Lifestyles
By David Alter
Sitting is the new smoking — a phrase that has become familiar, and for good reason. David Alter lays out the science behind what prolonged inactivity does to the body and the brain, and offers accessible, practical strategies for building more movement into the rhythms of everyday life.
Infant Feeding Guidelines and Timing
By Clare Collins and Jenna Hollis
When it comes to feeding infants, timing and approach matter deeply. Clare Collins and Jenna Hollis offer clear, evidence-based guidance for parents navigating the early months of feeding, helping families make confident, informed choices that support their baby's development and their own well-being.
Preventing Falls Among Aging Baby Boomers
By Matthew Lee Smith, Ellen Schneider, Marcia G. Ory, and Tiffany Shubert
Falls are among the leading causes of injury and loss of independence among older adults, yet many are preventable. This comprehensive look at the risks facing aging baby boomers provides practical, research-backed strategies for maintaining balance, strength, and confidence at home and in the world.
Managing Zombie Screen Time
By Joanne Orlando
We have all been there — scrolling mindlessly, eyes glazed, unaware of how much time has passed. Joanne Orlando examines the psychology behind passive, zombie-like screen use and offers compassionate, realistic guidance for reclaiming presence and intention in our relationship with technology.
Strategies for Greener and More Livable Urban Spaces
By Paul Osmond
Cities are where most of humanity now lives, and how we design and tend those spaces matters enormously for both human health and the health of the planet. Paul Osmond explores the most promising strategies for weaving more green space, biodiversity, and livability into the urban fabric of the future.
Read More: Strategies for Greener and More Livable Urban Spaces
Impact of Morning Stress Anticipation on Memory
By Katie Bohn
What happens in those first waking moments when you already begin dreading the day ahead? Research suggests that anticipating stress before it even arrives can have measurable effects on how well your memory functions. Katie Bohn unpacks the findings and what they mean for how we begin each morning.
Astrology & Cosmic Guidance
Astrological Overview and Horoscope: November 9 to 15, 2026
By Pam Younghans
Pam Younghans offers her thoughtful weekly astrological overview for the week of November 9 through 15, 2026. As the planets continue their ongoing dance, this week brings its own unique blend of energies — challenges to navigate, opportunities to embrace, and cosmic invitations to grow into fuller versions of ourselves.
Read More: Astrological Overview and Horoscope: November 9 to 15, 2026
InnerSelf Weekly Horoscope November 8–14, 2026
By Clara Corwin, InnerSelf.com
Clara Corwin's weekly horoscope for November 8 through 14, 2026 offers sign-by-sign guidance to help you move through the week with greater awareness and intention. Whether the skies bring clarity or complexity, your horoscope is here to help you find your footing and your direction.
Before You Go
What a rich and varied gathering of human experience this week's issue holds. From the music that opens our hearts to the science that helps us understand our bodies, from the courage it takes to rebuild after harm to the wisdom of simply pausing before we react — all of it is part of the same great project of living consciously and with care.
We hope something in these pages has spoken to you, challenged you gently, or offered a moment of recognition. That is what InnerSelf has always been about: not telling you what to think, but walking alongside you as you think — and feel — and grow.
As always, we are grateful for your trust and your time. Take good care of yourselves and of one another. We will be back with more next week.
With warm regards,
Robert Jennings and Marie T. Russell
InnerSelf.com
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