People close to you may be watching you handle this pandemic. Heck. They even may be learning how to respond by observing you. What are you teaching them? Panic? Fear? Anxiety? Or might they find there are ways to be a better human being during this time of crisis? Yes. Crisis can actually bring out […]
It seems everyone feels the anxiety of not knowing the future these days. When will school start again? What about the sports? Will I be able to pay this bill? What about my aged parents? When will that stimulus check arrive? So many unknowns. So we tune into the news each day. We talk […]
“Nothing builds intimacy like vulnerability” – Janet Hardy …. and nothing is quite as vulnerable as an intimate conflict. We are in such close quarters right now. General frustration and tension is so high – it is only natural we are going to be more likely to snap during this time. How do we do […]
In times of uncertainty, it is easy to focus on what’s making you anxious. In today’s world, every day you are confronted with new information and forced to consider the unknown. There are different perspectives on everything and how respond. Depending on where you live, the questions are even more intense. Anxiety looms large. Almost […]
One night when I was a young boy, I woke up from a deep sleep and noticed legs sticking out from under my dresser. My heart stopped. Who was it?!? My heart beat so fast my body trembled. “THERE’S A MURDER UNDER MY DRESSER!” I thought. There was only one thing to do. Having watched […]
Sometimes during the depression cycle, empathetic people turn their empathy inward, igniting their ability to feel emotions against themselves. One antidote for depression is to serve others and turn empathy outward. It ignites the love, compassion, empathy, care, and concern emotions in the neocortex of your brain. A functioning neocortex will confront the negative emotions […]
Every libido is a unique fingerprint woven together by a variety of complex factors: interests, fantasies, beliefs, values, morality, physical body, preferences in activities, settings, sensitivity of touch, frequency and type of activity, and on and ON! With such a broad spectrum, many folks who believe they, or their partner, might be unhealthy or […]
On Wednesday, I attended an Ash Wednesday service at our church. After the service, I attempted to lead fifteen or so 6th grade students through the symbols, meanings, and subsequent actions. It went as well as you can imagine. If it had been more successful, they would have learned about the concept of mourning, the […]
Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. -Brene Brown I love these words by Brene Brown. I’m convinced true vulnerability is the path to wellness, wholeness, and peace. It requires great courage and confidence in your identity and purpose. After serving […]
At Valentine’s Day, each year children design drop boxes in order to have their class mates give them a valentine themed in their favorite cartoon, sport, movie, or other popular trend that year. We send relatives, close friends, and other loved ones texts, phone calls, messages, emails, or cards letting them know we love them. […]