The human heart is like a ship on a stormy sea driven about by winds blowing from all four corners of heaven.~Martin Luther King, Jr. As I woke earlier this week, I noticed that my heart was heavy, and my mind was already full. It wasn’t yet six o’clock, and Covid-19, protests, and death tolls … More 3 Steps to Finding Rest in Times of Turmoil
Weeks have gone by, and each day there are reports about COVID-19 diagnoses and deaths. We read tips for staying connected during quarantine and how to stay healthy. We, or others that we know, are sewing face masks to help prevent the continued spread of the virus. This is life in quarantine. And this is … More Quarantine or A New Way of Life?
So often we can work through the challenges of daily living effortlessly. Sometimes, though, little problems or small inconveniences build up and can make it difficult to manage our emotions. Recently I helped a friend care for her mini farm while she was out of town. In addition to dogs and a cat, her small … More 5 Ways to Stop Little Things From Becoming Big Things
Everyone feels lonely sometimes. Loneliness may feel like a gnawing emptiness and trigger an overwhelming emotional response resulting in anxiety and depression. Social isolation often causes loneliness, however, many people feel lonely or rejected when surrounded by other people. Others may experience pain from their perceived disconnection from others. In 1949 Hank Williams, Sr. wrote … More Feel Lonely? Moving from Loneliness to Connectedness
August has arrived and brought extreme heat to the Pacific Northwest. We are not accustomed to triple digit temperatures in this region of the country. There is evidence that extreme temperatures can affect mood, and high heat can increase aggression. According to research, intergroup conflicts increase by 14% while interpersonal violence increases 4% during peak … More 6 Ways to Survive the Dog Days of Summer
In this technological age of instant news and social media at our fingertips, children are bombarded daily with news of school shootings, bombings, war, nuclear threats, genocide, and political extremism. At school and in their neighborhoods children experience peer pressure, bullying, and social isolation. As a result there is a continued increase in the diagnosis … More Reducing Anxiety in Children
Mother’s Day honors the mothers who cared for us and nurtured us as we grew. Many celebrate with the mother they call Mom. This is the big “M” mom. The one who kissed wounds and gave hugs; the one who dried our tears and encouraged us. But today we also celebrate the little “m” moms. … More Celebrating Mothers with a Big “M” and a Little “m”
An active 76-year old man recently shared about his experience in selling the home that he and his wife had lived in for many years. He shared about giving things away to family members and to local nonprofits. And also his dismay in the number of items that were sent to recycling or to the … More Simplification