We are wired for connection. We do better when we spend time together with other people. The first in a series… Family meals are challenging these days. In fall, sometimes seemingly impossible between music lessons, sports teams, parental work demands. With each family member having a different but full schedule, figuring out how to get …
An uncomfortable conversation about a history of white supremacy
I’ve been a regular guest on 680CJOB for several years. Every Thursday at 2:30 finds me in the chair opposite Greg Mackling and Brett Megarry. We talk about issues related to mental health and relationships. Almost every week, I get a chance to say the truest sentence I know: “We are wired for connection” as …
The lunch that started something beautiful
I will always remember Sunday lunch of the August long weekend with special fondness. It was the start of a somethin-somethin with Husband and I…though it wasn’t nearly the start of our romance. Husband’s wife, Car had died in late winter. In the months leading to her death, I had asked Car’s sister of how she …
An Open Letter to Indigenous Peoples of Canada
Update: In case you’re interested…more recent thoughts on the discoveries of the unmarked graves at numerous locations across the country was written for Canada Day, 2021 Dear Indigenous Peoples of Canada, I feel like I have to write this letter. I’ve been apprehensive about writing it because I fear that my white privilege will be …
Beautiful truths
Anne Lamott gave a beautiful TED talk recently. I love TED…but wow, sometimes it exceeds my already high expectations. Wow!! Regular readers know how much I love TED generally…and when it’s Anne Lamott…well…who can resist? I love how Anne gently and wryly speaks truth…sharing of her own beautiful, messy, now-sober, grace-filled experience to …
“Fault?” Not relevant!
I often hear someone refusing to come to counselling because they don’t have the problem: “If I’m not the rebellious one, why would I need counselling?” “He’s the one that drinks, not me. He needs counselling, not me!” “My wife is the one that lost her parents in the accident. I don’t need help.” “The …
Oops! A Therapist forgets empathy
A few weeks ago, Husband’s finger lingered over the “send” button on a text. For a looong time, his finger hovered over the message. We had talked about it. We had together decided on a course of action with a family member. And now, he was doing his part of the implementation, and as we sat on …
The potato chips of relationships: Social Media
I spoke with Talia Ricci of Global News on the effects of social media and they posted the piece on their website today…Millenials (those born after 1984 or s0) essentially have used social media all of their adult lives. Those born before 1984 can remember a time when: we went to the video store to rent …
Let’s Talk–It’s good!
Years and years ago, Mary and I began a friendship. When Former Husband and I moved to Winnipeg, she and her husband were the first family to invite us over to a meal in their home. Eventually, (small world) she and FH became co-workers…and we often got together as couples for double dates. He …
#1 of 10 Top Relationship Skills: Attunement
Lindsey Walsh completes his series of Top 10 Relationship Skills with this blog. The series has been a popular one. See the bottom to review the previous 9, if you’re interested in catching up on past entries in the series! “ [T]aking time to focus attention on the inner experience in the moment actually also makes us …