Taking the Mask Off

  There is the very real dilemma and tension of needing to put on a mask and to armor up against fear and vulnerability on the job, and then find ways of reversing that to be emotionally available to his family: The brain is affected by trauma…we know what the names of the brain are …

A grumpy blessing

I’ve been grumpy about something all month. I’m not proud of that, but it’s the truth. I said “yes” to a bunch of speaking opportunities in April…a couple of workshops, a retreat and a teaching time at a church. They are all connected to the work I do in helping folks improve the connections that …

Breaking free from old patterns

When I was a small child, too small to attend camp on my own, I went to camp with my mom.  She was camp nurse and I became a sort of camp mascot. I got to run around and do my own thing and the older campers would see me and be kind to this …

Courage to stand up and walk over

Won’t you stand up and use your voice? There are a lot of folks who are depressed and struggling and anxious and lonely and desperately in need of connection…who are curled up on the inside (and maybe or maybe not on the outside) and would so benefit from another coming alongside. {! admin/html?id=a48d0e75ba205d3e954c26f13596dec0 !} For …

Gardens of Memories

I took a Junior Tribe Member out for lunch today…as I have done on their birthdays from the time they were in preschool.  We go to the restaurant of their choice…many years it was at McDonald’s or Dairy Queen, then later, out for pizza, and lately the choice has been Cora’s. Lunchtime at school is …

Silly Fun

We had pie for lunch today.  Not for dessert. For lunch. Today is International Pi(e) Day.  At Bergen and Associates, we’re not shy about finding things to celebrate…we love to create joy…and Del, who came in for a half day today, made sure we celebrated in style. Lemon meringue pie. YUM! The pie was seriously awesome. …

Two minutes to you accessing the “best you”

Yeah, yeah…this sounds like one of those “too good to be true” snake oil salesman pitches, doesn’t it? It’s not. Hear me out…better yet, hear Amy Cuddy out. Body language is powerful…we exhibit power messages to others by how we carry ourselves, what position our arms and  legs are in, what voice tone we have, …

Cold and Broken Hallelujah

I was at the Tenor’s concert tonight at Winnipeg’s MTS Center…a good friend of mine invited me along with her…she hoped they would sing Cohen’s Hallelujah…and the didn’t disappoint.  They are well known for this song, with it being a special request last year by Her Majesty the Queen during her Diamond Jubillee last year. …