Sometimes, as I endeavor to be an encouraging presence in someone else’s life, it backfires…instead of being a blessing, I walk away as the one blessed. I went to see Linda at the John Howard Society a couple of weeks back…we both have common interests in working constructively with men who get themselves into trouble. …
Creating Hope in Winter
This is the day I think of as “So Low That Down Is Up” day…the day where there is more darkness than any other day of the year. I’m a light-lover by nature, and so these long cold winter nights are hard on me. Not only me. I think the majority of us are affected …
The Spirit of the Season
I love this video from Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat School 5th Grade class in Quinhagak, Alaska. It brings the Hallelujah Chorus alive for me all over again.
Inevitable Interpersonal Event
I’ve been marking exams this week…exams that first year Professional Master’s Occupational Therapy students have written on how to conduct a clinical interview. I have read about “Inevitable Interpersonal Events”, oh, about 48 times this week. (Let’s just say marking isn’t in my “Top 10” of favorite things to do.) An Inevitable Interpersonal Event is …
Tis the Season to Drink
December is a time of merry-making…and when people make decisions (or don’t make decisions and just “what happens happen”, which is a sort of passive decision) about drinking. If, when, and how much. Drinking…how do you make your decisions about drinking? I was called the other day to do an interview about how to talk …
Marriage–Adventure of Perseverance
I was at a wedding on Sunday…it was beautiful. Wonderful. I love weddings. Powerful to all witness together the commitment of a man and woman to each other through thick and thin…as I look over the grey topped heads of those who know what that really means, and sit beside youngsters who are wide-eyed at …
Bravely Exploring One’s Story
From Brene Brown, an expert on shame, vulnerability, authenticity, and joy:
How vs Why
Answering “why” is hard. The first experience with “why” that I remember sticks powerfully. I was a child…I think I might have been three or four. My brother and I were brushing our teeth at the bathroom sink…and the toothpaste cap slipped out of my fingers and it fell down the bathroom drain. It must …
What a team!
I’ve heard it said that if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life. That’s a wee bit simplistic, perhaps…but that line came to mind on the weekend after a staff meeting at Bergen & Associates Counselling. Several times a year, we gather as a staff…this time Saturday over lunch. …
Relationship Maintenance
Nothings wrong with a tune-up…but do you bother? I took my car in last week to Winnipeg Honda Service Department…it had been on my mind to get the car in before the snow flew. September and October were crazy months of teaching and driving tribe members hither and yon…and so by the time I got …