I’ve been thinking a lot as we go into the new year about using the challenges of life as an opportunity to be creative, to grow, and learn, and make something even better than was before. Challenges can inspire creativity and options considered that wouldn’t have been otherwise been needed. This thinking started with a …
Hope in the darkness at Christmas
Today is the shortest day of the year. The day of the year with the most darkness–just a few days before Christmas. The day I know annually as “So low down is up” day. I suspect that for many, it is fitting that day that feels bleakest and is, indeed, the darkest, falls around Christmas. …
New Book: My Marriage is Almost Dead…
I heard a story about some acquaintances a few days ago…the couple had been married for several years. The wife was unhappy, but she hated confrontation. She didn’t want to say anything that would hurt her husband. She didn’t want to be the source that created long and difficult conversations. So she said nothing. The situation …
The Daring Way™ and Rising Strong™ February 2018 Seminars
Need a gift idea for that special someone…maybe yourself? Here’s a Christmas gift idea for your spouse or loved one…and even better, come along! How about a registration to The Daring Way™ (February 9-11, 2018) or Rising Strong™ (February 23-25, 2018) Let me break it down for you: The Daring Way™ is a highly experiential …
Heartbreaking News: Former Therapist, Rod Minaker
It is with heartfelt sadness that we grieve with the family of Rod Minaker, on his death last week. Rod worked with our counselling agency, at what was then known as Bergen and Associates Counselling starting mid-2007, and except for a brief break, worked with clients at our offices until 2014. Our hearts break at the …
A letter to the woman triggered by #MeToo
Hello to the woman who is struggling with the #MeToo movement, A person pretty much has to live under a rock not to know about the #MeToo movement these days. So very many women are feeling, for the first time, they can speak out and have their sexual harassment and their sexual assault validated. It …
A Mistake?
As I was going to bed on a Friday night a few weeks ago, it was quiet, and my mind lazily drifted back over the day. My mind went back to an email I had received earlier in the day, outlining next week’s schedule for Courage Camp, a conference for Certified Daring Way Facilitators. I love delivering …
Socks of Love
My youngest Junior Tribe Member is my son. He does refer to me as a parent, which I totally love. I am not his mother. His mother died. Out of respect for his mother, he wears pink shoes. Bright pink runners on the court. When his coach told him last year to make them less …
Hypothesis of generosity
I want you to think of the last time somebody was angry at you. What were they angry about? Did you actually intend to hurt them? If so, why was it important to hurt them? If not, what did they not understand about you? Maybe you were late for lunch with a friend, but there …
Self Compassion 101
Note: Time and date change to November 15, 6 pm-9 pm due to popular demand If you talked to a friend like you talked to yourself, would you have any friends left? Many days, if I spoke to my friends with the same words and tone I use inside my head, it would not …