Are holidays the most wonderful time of the year? Holidays can be the most agonizing time of the year if we’re living in a space of sadness, resentment, regret, or loneliness. If this is a hard year for you – due to illness, divorce, or other loss – here are tips that helped me survive holidays when celebrating was the last thing I felt like doing. 1-      Do something totally different! Cook something you’ ...

“We often put our needs on the back-burner.” I began my career as a Parent Educator. Throughout parenting sessions, I realized that I needed to nurture "the adult” in order for parents to adequately raise their children. It is so common for loving parents to strive to become better parents by focusing fully on their child's needs. However, the most powerful family change occurs when parents realize that, “I ...

Three facts have changed the way I play golf and the way I feel during each round. These are more than lessons for enjoying a round of golf – they spill over into lessons for enjoying life more. Even if you're not a golf enthusiast, I think you'll understand what I mean. FACT #1 – No matter how well I hit the ball, I could have done better. Unless I hit a hole in one, every ball could have gone a little far ...

I predict that you will meet a lonely child today. I wonder if you'll be able to detect which child it is: Your neighbor's teenager who can't listen to her mom. Your nephew who can't figure out his role between two discouraged divorcing parents. A timid child on your block who demands no attention, and gets just that. Where's the solution for lonely kids? It's tucked neatly inside someone who has experience ...

Today I'm inspired to let you know how much I care for you. We both know you aren't perfect – not by a long shot! But there are things about you that I just love. Things like glances only you give, lines that only you say, gestures only you make, ideas only you think of, and a laugh like no one else. Is it any wonder I'm attracted to you? Take a moment to let that sink in. Picture yourself in a more specifi ...

I can still hear the sound of red-winged blackbirds singing as I pulled my rusty old wagon down the path to the woods. When I got to "my" crabapple tree I unpacked the wagon – a ragged blanket to cover the thistles, three or four of my best pals (dolls and teddy bears), a stack of books, and a jug of Kool-Aid. And then I was set for the afternoon. I could talk and pretend with my dolls until it was time to ...

A reflective client shared that she avoids silence because the noise of it is too loud. So she drives with talk radio, works with smooth jazz, and falls asleep with a television. There's nothing wrong with that - unless our addiction to constant sound is crowding out something better. What could that be? Does surrounding ourselves with noise mute our own thoughts? When my environment is filled with other pe ...

A few weeks I met three girlfriends for dinner. As I got out of the car I grabbed my Emergency Deck of Cards from the glove box. Yes, I carry an Emergency Deck of Cards and use it much more often than I use the Emergency First Aid Kit. Every car should have one. We ordered our dinner and shared our lives. Since our last connection there were new health concerns, job challenges, financial stress, and worries ...

I began 2012 with a New 15 DAY Resolution, which felt more reasonable than a NewYEAR Resolution. My resolve was to workout with my old Denise Austin video every single day. It's a great video that lasts only 22 minutes, and is set on a California beach. Pretty painless – and it was only for 15 days. How do you think The Joy Lady did? Have you read the title of this blog entry? I skipped two days completely ...