In the Christian church, the four weeks preceding Christmas is a time called “Advent”–the church says it is a time of preparing heart for Christ’s arrival at Christmas. For most, it is a frenetic time of shopping, parties, decorating and brainstorming about what to get the person “that has everything”. The Meeting Place is a …
Refocusing on the Rewards
It’s too easy to forget the positives when the stress and challenge of the day are so present. When discouraged and frustrated, it’s time to shift the focus and see the rewards in balance. Blog readers will suffer the effects of “workshop-itis” that I have. You know what I mean…someone goes to a workshop, and …
Perspective…with a Belly Laugh
The ordinary, when seen freshly, can be absurd. I found myself laughing out loud watching this video which reminded me to put things into perspective, to not sweat the small stuff, to appreciate all that I have. At the end of a busy week, it was great to laugh heartily. sitellite/util/snippets (code=5812a9911ed89dc0970d9d9cf759543d) How easy it …
Turning Cynicism into Wisdom
I’ve been reading The Year of Living Biblically, by A.J. Jacobs for a book club that I will be attending. Though I’m not yet finished the book (and I’ve only got until Wednesday, so I’d better get reading), I’ve been struck by the sorts of ways A.J. has found the experience enriching. Some of …
Embrace your Wabi-Sabi-ness!
“Wabi-sabi”–I happened to come upon the term today, which a totally cool concept I stumbled across. Of the Japanese term, Wikipedia says this: Richard R. Powell summarizes by saying “It (wabi-sabi) nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.”….. Fading autumn leaves would be …
Losing the Life One Wants to Live
When the urgent takes precedence over the important in our lives, we lose ourselves in the process. The pace of our lives can stop us from being who we know we are, who we really want to be. I was listening to a discussion the other day regarding a study outlined by Malcolm Gladwell in …
Da Nile Ain’t Just a River In Egypt
My brain was successfully escaping the fact that it is mid-fall. I’ve been in denial, pleasantly so. That hasn’t been hard to pull off, actually. The beautiful weather would have us all believe it is still summer. I see the warm sun streaming down the window, see clients come in to session with tank tops …
You are the butter to my bread
…and the breath to my life. So goes a line of love repeated in the movie Julie and Julia. I went to see it tonight…a lovely summer night that allowed me the treat of the long walk to and from the movie theater. It was a lovely movie, and no doubt, men from all over …
A Tangible Success
The “IKEA effect” is alive and well in my household. I talk and listen for a living. Clients will tell me ways in which their therapy sessions change their lives in ways which I find awesome and humbling. However, there isn’t always a lot of tangible signs that I have made a difference when I …
Being Aware of Beauty
Sometimes the focus on the destination has us missing the beauty of the present: Joshua Bell is a renowned American violinist. His concerts regularly sell out because of the public’s desire to hear his music. He is playing on a violin worth millions of dollars. And… only a few stopped to listen. When I saw …