Relationships are a marathon, not a sprint. When trust has been broken, it is re-earned one tiny action-that-merits-trust after another, like drops of water slowly filling the trust pail. When names have been called, and tempers have been shortit takes repeated conversations over time that are calm and respectful that has a person gradually begin …
Beauty of a Painful Honesty
There is subtle but real pressure to be “fine” when we are asked how we are. To respond with social politeness that we’re “OK”. To not acknowledge the stresses and pain of life. It’s socially acceptable to be “busy” or “stressed” but not “struggling” or “down”. I’m not sure that pressure is purely a cultural …
Today we Celebrate!
In this world of violence, intrusiveness, woundedness and pain, there is also much to revel, enjoy and celebrate. Rebecca, the woman in our office on Wednesdays announced today that she is engaged to the man of her dreams and he “popped the question” on a walk in their favorite place to wander this weekend. They …
Occupational Therapy Month
My undergrad degree is in Occupational Therapy–I’m a University of Manitoba grad. I still practice Occupational Therapy as a Marriage and Family Therapist…as an OT, I help remove the barriers that interfere with people functioning fully in their lives. In the past, before I went back to school, that has been: with people in hospitals …
Shame–The barrier to male’s lack of sensitivity?
I love that, on occasion, this blog pushes people to ponder. Leaving comments on this blog can be very difficult–I write about matters concerning the soul, and to respond to it leaving your name for all the world to see to process how this affected you is tough. Often the blog posts that affect people …
Authenticity Trumps Perfection
“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, its the thing that’s preventing us from taking flight” Brené Brown I stumbled across Brené Brown’s blog yesterday and loved the message that she shouts, whispers, draws, encapsulates, inspires, and strives to live…that authenticity beats perfectionism. That living …
Nice Moment
Some days have neat moments when things come together and the world just feels like it’s a good place to be. It sort of makes a deep giggle come from somewhere in me–it’s not that anything is particularly funny, bur rather just profoundly delightful. It’s not even that big of a deal, except that it …
Flower Brilliance
Sometimes an idea comes along that seems so obvious, it’s astonishing that it has never been implemented before. That thought occurred to me as I was reading this morning’s Free Press newspaper which talked about how flowers that are beautiful but have served their purpose (think centerpiece arrangements at a wedding, or flower sprays adorning …
Social Sensitivity a Key to Group Intellect
What is the key component to a group’s results on solving problems? You’d think intellect of the various group members, right? Smarter people are more likely to be able to solve a problem effectively, right?So if you are putting together a group, and you’re wanting them to solve a problem, the best way to get …
Of Butterflies and Sunshine
I’m mesmerized by the images on the TV of the Chilean miners being rescued. Having trouble peeling my eyes away to do the tasks of the day… Saw Jorge, a miner in his 50’s emerged just as I was brushing my teeth. I don’t watch TV in the morning, but I had it on this …