Balance
Balance When I think of balance, I imagine someone on pointe in ballet or an acrobat walking the tight rope. It all looks so elegant and effortless from the audience’s perspective. But I am sure neither of these performers would tell you balance is attained very...Blessings are always better than Curses
Blessings are always better than curses. But sometimes it’s all you can do not to focus the curses in your life. The pastor who married us spent a good amount of time the day before our wedding talking to us about our parents and what “gifts or blessings” they had...Face of Hope
FACE of HOPE Hope Monger…if there was a name I would like to be known by it would be “Hope Monger.” Hope: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Monger: Peddling wares, in this case the ware I peddle is HOPE!I rather like the thought of...Because You Want the Best Year EVER!
My mentor (Tara Mohr) sent me these questions to get my New Year off to a good start. I did this exercise last year with a few of my favorite people. I encourage you to either do it with a warm cup of tea or in conversation with a loved one! It is a perfect way to...From Struggles to Strengths
Today my son James graduates from Oregon State University. It will be an exciting day, made especially so because the First Lady, Michelle Obama, will be speaking. Although I’m thrilled to have the chance to hear her in person, it doesn’t come close to the joy arising...Mother’s Day
Mothers Day is one of the most wonderful, horrible, expectation laden, expectant, confusing and memorable days of the year. The emotions surrounging this day depend on so many factors. Number one: your own mom. We all have one. Not all of us have one now, not all of...Media and Kids
I was reading a newsletter from my Alma Mater today and ran across a blog by a professor at Linfield College called Media Mom, PhD. I have recently been more and more concerned about the effect of media and technology on our kids. Whether you are in the camp of...“I’m Sorry” is the Hardest Thing to Say!
I don’t know about you, but I find the words “I’m sorry” the hardest words to say in the English vocabulary. Why is that??? With Yom Kippur just around the corner, whether you are of the Jewish tradition or not, I think it is a good time to...Goodbye’s and Regrets
Goodbye’s are so hard, especially when mixed with regrets. This weekend we said goodbye to our son and his wife for a year. They are moving to Kuwait. It was hard to say goodbye, even though I know there are going to be blessings and lessons galore for them to glean...Vulnerability
This video is a powerful synopsis of what it is to be human, to be willing to grow and be connected. It is worth the 20 minutes to watch. Enjoy!Brene Brown: The Power of VulnerabilityBreathe Deep, Seek Peace
When my boys were young we listened to and read the Dinotopia books in which we learned the phrase “Breathe Deep, Seek Peace.” This has become a mantra of sorts that helps to calm my racing mind and anxious thoughts. Often times we don’t realize what control we...Life is Short, Every Moment Precious
This weekend a friend, beloved by our community died tragically in a single engine plane crash. It has hit us especially hard due to the fact that he left behind a beautiful family, (wife and four young children).
Parents Dealing with “Sexting”
When we were kids our parents worried if we were eating our veggies, getting enough fresh air and minding our “P’s and Q’s” (whatever that means). Today, parents have so much more to worry about. It seems every day we are faced with another technological monster we...Job Loss and “Plan B”
Actually, I face this change with great joy at the possibility of getting to counsel full time now.
We all have a story to tell
We all have a story to tell. Some of our stories are filled with humor, adventure and pursuits of happiness. Others are stores of ventures gone bad, risks never taken or straight up defeat. Still others are tragedies beyond belief-stories of loss, pain, sorrow or betrayal. These stores make up our very existence; be they epic adventures or sober tragedies, they make us who we are and how we view the world…or do they?
