The #1 Cause of Loss of Joy, Serenity, Hope, and Trust
What causes joy, serenity, hope, and trust to die in us? The number one cause is . . . . . . Trauma. And none of us are exempt. This week I attended a presentation by Dr. Michael F. Barnes, Clinical Program Manager, at CeDAR, University of Colorado Hospital. It was one of the finest […]
The One Element That Most Often Defeats Change
“Be gentle with yourself for you are living through a major expansion of your faith and how you use it in the world. You are rewiring decades of old beliefs and shifting how you live your life. This is no small fear. It is OK to feel uncomfortable. Great change often brings with it discomfort and […]
When Chasing Your Tail is Beneficial
Sent to me by Fran Kenny, one of my Facebook friends, I share this piece of wisdom today. I have a slightly different take on some of these (imagine that!), and I also offer an eighth rule for your consideration . . . 1 – Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. […]
Using Disappointment to Leverage Success
We are instinctively created, as part of our basic survival, to avoid pain. We will do everything we can to push it away – blame, project, shame, deny, minimize, berate, distract, and medicate, just to name a few of our strategies. Yet when disappointment happens – and it will happen – in every setting and […]
Keep Your Eye on the Rainbow Post-a-Note
Do you remember as a child how you anticipated your next birthday? “I’m 7 ½.” you’d proudly say, eager for the next six months to roll by so that you could declare, “I’m 8!” You held a dream inside of what it would be like to be eight years old. You didn’t know, but you’d […]
The Message On The Back Window That I Will Never Forget
I like bumper stickers and vanity plates. They make stopping at red lights more interesting. Last week I saw a sedan with two bumper stickers, side by side. One said, “I’m Proud My Son is a Soldier”, and “Practice Random Acts of Kindness”. The contrast was intriguing. Several days later, as I was driving to […]
Carpe Diem – Seize the Day
“Carpe, Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your life extraordinary.” Robin Williams – Dead Poet Society This week I attended a funeral. I was profoundly disappointed that I had driven many miles, across two states, to attend a service where the priest talked more about God, sin, and death than about the beautiful woman […]
Six Absolute Facts About Aging
Let’s stop cursing the aging process. This month is my birthday. (Gifts, cards, and parties are welcome!) I will turn 59. One year before 60. I’m apprehensive. Not sure what my 60’s will be like. I’ve heard from friends and family that the 60’s are great. That’s my hope. No crystal ball. I’ll keep you posted. […]
A Surprising Coping Strategy
My dear cousin recently shared with me about some important changes in her life. While managing her own personal and professional responsibilities, she has become the primary caregiver for her mother as well as supporting a brother long distance recovering from a stroke. The demands for care and intervention are ever present and sometimes urgent. […]
How to Turn Regret Into Celebration
It is important as we reflect on the choices that we make to do so for only two purposes (1) to celebrate and reinforce the choices that have improved our quality of life and (2) to learn from the choices that did not serve us well, in order to make better choices in the future. When […]
