I went to a book launch this evening for the book, When Quitting is NOT an Option, written by Arvid Loewen, with assistance by his son, Paul Loewen. I’ve written about who I affectionally call, my-crazy-Uncle Arvid before, back when he set a Guiness World Record in ultra marathon cycling. Often, people hang up their …
What is a healthy marriage?
All couples fight. Fighting doesn’t mean a bad marriage. In fact, fighting may be profoundly helpful for a marriage…it airs concerns, differences, slights, and hurt to allow for understanding. And understanding…knowing how your partner feels and having that matter…so you change your behaviour to better able to recognize your spouse…that’s huge. To think about: The essential …
Hump Day Nudge: Brother inspiring brother
I love this video…which was filmed in 2010 prior to Alexandre Bilodeau’s gold medal in the Olympics that year in Vancouver. He followed it up with yet another gold medal this year again in Sochi. This video highlights the mutual respect and inspiration two brothers have for each other, in a way that inspires both …
Depression vs Vitality
I’ve been pondering Andrew Solomon’s exquisite reflections on his own experience with depression. As a writer, he captures the pain and anxiety of depression remarkably. He wraps depression with words to enable those who have depression to feel understood and validated and affirmed. No, you are not crazy, you are not alone, and you definitely …
Beautiful and Beastly: Thoughts on Social Media – Part 1
I am not fortunate enough to have grandparents who are still around, but I know a handful of people who still do. And every now and then I find myself surprised to see exchanges on Facebook where grandmas and grandpas are responding to status updates, cute photos, or playing Words With Friends against their much …
FAQ’s about Hypochondria
What is Hypochondria? Hypochondria occurs when a person is abnormally concerned about his/her health in a way that doesn’t fit the picture. It becomes a disorder when it continues for longer than six months, and interferes with a person’s ability to function normally. The anxiety is significant, and surrounds concern that a person has a …
Hump Day Nudge: Helping others
I loved this video…just a minute long, and beautiful…finding creative and unexpected ways to help. Hang in until 26 seconds…when it becomes clear: It’s not always easy to know how to help someone who feels intimidating, a little scary, mebbe even dangerous…but that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible. Even bears can be in desperate …
Beliebers reflect all of us
So…I’m directionally challenged. The GPS is my best friend in a new city, and even with it, I don’t always get to my destination the first time. I’m not proud of that, but it is what it is, and so I’ve learned to be patient with myself, and allow for extra time. This summer, I …
Internal representations of others
I blogged recently about the way adolescents, mostly girls, have incredible, seemingly blind support for Justin Bieber, which seems exuberant to a level that hardly fits the situation: He lives 1000’s of miles away, they have never spoken to him, but they believe they have known him because of how much time they have spent …
Hump Day Nudge: Stage Fright Giggles
For many that have anticipated standing up in front of a crowd to talk or sing or present or play or act, the very thought of it creates sweaty palms, dry mouth, upset tummy, jiggly knees, ear-ringing, and instant hot flushes. I kinda like Joe Kowan…his courage, candidness and cowering in this talk…I like how …