Heather O’Beirne Kelly, PhD

Stained glass window in a Normandy church

Ils sont revenus: “They have come back”

Omaha Beach and the American cemetery in Normandy

Moved beyond words to stand on Utah and Omaha Beaches last week, visit the American cemetery, & spend time in churches that bore witness as aid stations/refuge. Beyond words except for these etched into the wall below: “To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live.”

SS Navy Blue Angels at the Naval Academy and a 1929 version

The sky is their playground — aleays incredible to have the Blue Angels do a flight demo at the Naval Academy. Hanging in my office here are pics of my Granddad (USNA 1926) when he was one of the Nine High Hats, the original 1929 version! They tied their wings together for stunts…

Aspen Institute and Georgetown University panel on adolescence and young adulthood

Spent an inspiring, active day with The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations & Georgetown Univ experts in adolescence & young adulthood. Many thanks to the incredible Dr. Jen Woolard for including me & the Naval Academy in this effort to enhance student engagement & flourishing.

Marine helicopters landing at Naval Academy

lots of big toys landing right outside my office window this morning 🚁

tulip farm

Tiptoeing through the tulips with Chris and Charlotte this morning! 🌷

Dashing birthday boy in Ireland

Happy 25th to my baby! Smart, kind, hard-working, and one of the funniest people I know — we love you, Will. 💕

I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island

and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods

forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold

Manatees sunning themselves in Tarpon Bay, Captiva

monday mornings should always include manatees 💕

Dr. Kelly testifying before Congress

testifying before the appropriations committee in Congress 8 years ago today — I do believe that was my “wtf” expression when asked an incredibly wrong leading question about military sexual assault 😶

Sunrise on the beach in Sanibel: heron and shells

another sunrise on Sanibel, another heron bestie on the beach 💕

First time being taught in any branch of the military, but so honored that it's by of my favorite science/art hybrids, @heatherkellyphd.bsky.social, & under the banner of happiness. And to be taught alongside my genius former teacher & current friend, Rita Dove. More art/science integration, pls.

CANARY by Rita Dove

…at the Naval Academy, CAPT Andrew Ledford and I wove together the workings of our hypothalamus, research on cognitive reframing and thought-stopping, and how poetry may save us. Think of poems as dopamine hits — WH Auden, Rita Dove, and Amy Woolard (my favorite contemporary poet).

INVICTUS poem

During my Dad’s nuclear submarine interview back in the late 1950s, the infamous ADM Rickover asked him to recite his favorite poem. It was INVICTUS by Henley, which has inspired countless Midshipmen and servicemembers (and Nelson Mandela) over the years.

Today in our Science of Happiness class…

Forsythia and a green bunny look out over the Severn

bringing spring to the office 🌼

Henry the French bulldog bathes in sun rays

The level of maleficence today is almost overwhelming. I bring to you a sunbathing Henry as partial antidote. 💕

Dr. Arthur Brooks from Harvard guest lectures on leadership and happiness at the Naval Academy.

CAPT Andrew Ledford and I were delighted to welcome Dr. Arthur Brooks to the Naval Academy this afternoon to guest lecture in our Psychology of Happiness class. Midshipmen and Superintendent were absolutely delighted. Fabulous reminder of crucial links between leadership, happiness & performance. ⚓️

Many thanks to my extraordinary colleagues and their teams at USAA and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for their support.

As our Superintendent notes, “We believe the fight to prevent military and veteran suicide should begin early…USNA is proud to amplify our efforts to support warfighters through our connection to Face the Fight.”

NAVAL ACADEMY ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH FACE THE FIGHT COALITION NAVAL ACADEMY ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH FACE THE FIGHT COALITION page for USNA News Center at USNA.edu. Updated $lastModified.

I am thrilled to share this announcement: the United States Naval Academy is the first military service academy to serve as a government liaison to the Face The Fight military/veteran suicide prevention coalition!

www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2...

Baboon typing

I’m at the point where autocorrect is used to me typing “fuckery” and just lets it slide…🙃

Handsome French bulldog sees himself in the mirror

digital palette cleanser and throwback to when Henry met the most handsome fellow in the world 💕

Yikes!

beach bag and coffee

Both The Gulf of Heather and actual Heather are temporarily calm this morning…🌊☀️🌴☕️

The Kennedy Center

I was a National Symphony Orchestra apprentice (flute) as a public high school student in Arlington. Spent magical hours sitting alongside incredible musicians for rehearsals and many, many more as an audience member over the years. Thank you to all who made The Kennedy Center what it was. 💕
📸: KC

Valentine cupcakes

giving a mid-term on a pretty bleak, drizzly day in Annapolis: 94 cupcakes waiting to make some Midshipmen a little happier as they write about the science of happiness 🧁

I demand a cheese line item appropriation

French bulldog would like some cheese please

one of my coworkers would like a snack — ignore any emails appearing to come from me asking for cheese 🧀

Naval Academy Ship Selection night!

Really fun to see all 244 Midshipmen who will go surface warfare in a few months pick their actual ships tonight, one by one! Ziggy the iconic Naval Academy dog was present, as were the Chief of Naval Operations ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and my boss, the Superintendent ⭐️⭐️⭐️— two remarkable SWOs. ⚓️

Naval Academybstaff and Midshipmen visiting goats at Harley Farm

GOATALLY great way to spend the day: with Midshipmen, goats, horses, roosters out of central casting, and sassy farm dogs 🐐💕#NavalAcademy #TeamBill