Change

Sometimes, after going through something extremely unpleasant, the ordeal can end up being a turning point in one’s life. Letting go of the past, letting go of our safety net, letting go of things no longer serving us can be scary. It’s a venture into the unknown. We can fluctuate back and forth, creating doubt, …

Read moreChange

Practice what I teach?

A very humbling moment, I will try and show grace to myself. Whether it is from my books, my courses or the students I teach at school, I have loads of strategies to share in dealing with depression and anxiety. After having to have sudden surgery, my anxiety reared its very large and powerful head. …

Read morePractice what I teach?

I would be happy, if only….

I would be happy if only….fill in the blank. My life had been filled with that phrase. It started when I was very young. If only: I didn’t have that freckle on my faceI didn’t have this compulsionI didn’t have this obsessionI was thinI didn’t have my pastI didn’t have the regretsI had my soulmateI …

Read moreI would be happy, if only….

sun setting

Rehearse until it is real

I have been practicing Conscious Discipline (By Dr. Becky Bailey) for many years. As a classroom management strategy, when students come into the class, I notice all appropriate behavior and voice that out loud. If disruption happens, I do not point that out but instead voice out loud the specific on-task behaviors I see and …

Read moreRehearse until it is real

night sky

Depression in Winter?

Winter blues are real! Since I can remember, every year during the winter months, I struggled with depression. Maybe it was the lack of sun, shorter days or too much negative thinking. Regardless, when I was younger I thought it would never end! But then spring and summer would come and I was happy and …

Read moreDepression in Winter?

ice sculptures

Our body is Listening

I was lying on the sofa, feeling yucky, depressed, anxious. In an hour I was to drive to the airport. My mom was paying for a luxurious vacation at Canyon Ranch in Massachusetts, a place of healing. I never knew when it would hit. Stomach ailments, pain, general malaise. I had gone to one doctor …

Read moreOur body is Listening

beautiful sky

What brings you joy?

I ask because I am sometimes at a loss as to what brings me joy. I mean when we are kids, we grab our matchbox cars and take them outside, happily making “roads” with the grass. We get with a group of kids and play Kick the Can or Kickball until the dinner bell rings. …

Read moreWhat brings you joy?

Creativity – what a gift

It’s so easy to get caught up in worrying thoughts so that the next thing you know you are drowning in despair with darkness swirling around. It is subtle and sneaks up on you. It’s easy to do these days. Sure, feelings come and go. But sometimes I forget the “go” part. It’s important to …

Read moreCreativity – what a gift

pattern sky

Releasing Shame

I have talked often about focusing on what we want, shifting perspective, focusing on all that is good in our life! I have talked often about when we are in the dumps, changing our perspective can be as easy as snapping our finger. I have talked often about how we can get into a rut, …

Read moreReleasing Shame

Oregon Beauty

Decisions: Baby steps

I will never forget feeling the call to move very far away. I was in my twenties at the time and for as long as I could remember, I struggled with finding my place in the world. I remember thinking that moving to this city would open a whole new world for me. I wanted …

Read moreDecisions: Baby steps

%d bloggers like this: