Mental Health

Darkness Descends; An Ode to Joy

It crept in like a low fog, so lightly that I didn’t notice it beginning to swirl around me. A vague unease, a weighty sigh. The sun...

Dreams Past; Goals Ahead

“A goal is a dream with its work boots on. A goal is a dream you’ve decided to make real.” Rachel Hollis. I turned 60 last month....

Disfigurement: A Call for Awareness

(republished, with permission, from the Pennsylvania Psychologist) When I was four years old, I survived a fire which burned away my...

How NOT to Turn Into your Parents

My grandmother “Memere” sang every morning as she opened her lace curtains, welcoming the sun into the bedroom we shared. Her chirping...

Six Calming Strategies for Dark Times

“Now is the winter of our discontent.” Although I quote Shakespeare, I really only know this line from my ninth grade obsession with the...

What is Your Purpose?

What brings meaning to your life? I am not asking because I have the right answer. I am asking because I want you to have an answer, an...

On Giving & Receiving Criticism, or, What Dylan Said

I don’t handle criticism well. My gut reaction is usually a torrent of justification, a quick defensive shield. My throat gets hot and my...

You're Never Too Old to Have a Happy Childhood

When I trained to be a marriage therapist, I learned that “you’re never too old to have a happy childhood.” My teacher, the brilliant...

What Daily Meditation Can Do For You

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of these things and...

A Tale of Two Siblings

(Note: This post was republished with permission from tinybuddha.com. You can find the original post here: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/be...

Chasing Success

What is success? What is enough? Generally, I am a cheerful soul, content with my life. My daughters love me, my husband loves me, my...

Five Grounding Tips for this Holiday

As we enter the holiday season, worry hangs in the air. There is the obvious anxiety about our health and the health of our loved ones....

A Whole New (Burn) World

I spent three days at my own personal Disney Land last week. In truth, I stayed just two miles away from the actual Disney Land, but I...

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Staying Alive: Lessons from my Brother's Suicide

(Re-released today, in memory of my brother, and in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month.) Chances are, you never met my brother....