In a survey of 451 women in November of 2017: 50% of women say they have experienced sexual harassment as defined by Canada’s labour code: “any conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation to any employee; or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that …
A Brief Guide for Men in the Era of #MeToo and #TimesUp
Dear Male who is frightened by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, So, if you are man who is a little freaked out, worrying that a woman is going to accuse you of treating her badly at work or elsewhere, I’d like to be direct about what is required to increase your own sense of safety. It’s …
A letter to men freaked out by the power of #MeToo
Dear Male who is frightened by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, It’s not easy to be a powerful male these days, is it? So many powerful men have had successful careers and reputations destroyed in an instant. Let’s talk about it. The #MeToo movement is huge these days–so many brave women supporting each other as they …
Composting Heartbreak
Husband and I were part of an article this week in the Globe And Mail: How Soon is Too Soon? Zosia Bielski, a writer from the Globe, contacted me after reading about The Widower’s Club, and Visiting My Husband’s Wife’s Grave on the blog. She wanted to write about finding love after loss of a spouse …
A Hole in the Celebration
My nephew was married last week to his beautiful bride, the love of his life. The one, above all other, that has captured his heart forever. Warm hearts shone bright through the frigid day. Even the frozen pipes at the reception venue thawed a full 15 minutes before the wedding started! (Though I suspect it …
Problems become possibilities
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 …