Have you ever found yourself stuck in a toxic thought cycle? I know that often, when I make a mistake, I find myself overwhelmed with shame and guilt–I spend more time beating myself up about it than trying to actually recover. It becomes a vicious cycle...
New Research: Get Some Sleep. As a couple, Eric and I have always heard it said: “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger!” This is one of those quotes from the bible that most people (Christians or not) truly believe will help assure that they have...
This last month was an exceptional one for the Walters! We had two of our boys graduate, both in a field they are passionate about, both in areas their CVI would agree they are extremely well-suited for. Each accomplished this in their own way and in their own time. I...
Mother’s Day approaches… While it can be a joy to celebrate, the neglected reality is that Mother’s Day is probably one of the most emotionally charged days of the year. Everyone has a mom, but… No one has a perfect relationship with their mom....
In the world of learning to be the most productive self, wanting to know I’m contributing the very best, can be tricky. According to the CVI, I am a profound Merchant. This means the values of Love and Truth resonate very deeply with me–especially the...
Last week was my husband Eric’s birthday, and as such it is a fitting opportunity to discuss Legacy & Blessing. Legacy is the gift you leave, either overtly or covertly. It is the stamp you leave reminding people you were here. A spoken blessing has been...
Whether You Think You Can or You think You Can’t… You are right! – Henry Ford This quote is a mantra my fitness coach uses with me a lot, but recently I began to intentionally apply it to all areas of my life. Whether I am running a mile or a...
This article articulates (no longer available) very scientifically why kids need to be vastly limited on the use of technology. In my practice I see everyday the devastating effects of the use of technology on the brain. Children have to learn from adults and their...
Creating Safety What does it take for one person to feel safe enough to share their life, their thoughts, their dreams, their body and their emotions? To do all this takes an immense amount of time and energy–aka, it takes some serious work. You need to feel you...
Happy New Year! 2014! This New Year I have a whole new perspective on resolutions. I am focusing on the journey of NOW! Looking back over the past I remember many New Years resolutions that ended in disappointment and shame for not reaching the goals I had set for...
I don’t know about you, but I can get a little overwhelmed this time of year with the onslaught of emails and new-letters encouraging me to review my last year of life lived and set goals for the year to come. I hate to admit it, but I really think of the word “GOAL”...
During the holiday season it is so easy to loose sight of what is truly important. Instead of buying into the chaos and frenzy of the normal holiday season, which is my usual mode of operation. I am intentionally choosing to be more centered than normal. I am focusing...
“I can’t stop the rain from falling down on you but I will hold you until it goes away.” These are the words from the Third Day song “When the Rain Comes.” Sometimes life just seems overwhelming and we just want to be held. I think that when we are in this state of...
What Women Want…What Men Want This is the age-old question. So many couples struggle to share openly and vulnerably about their needs for intimacy. Often the result of this struggle is isolation, frustration and sometimes even relational disaster. At Core Values...
This past month I have been on a journey that my brother/coach John Bergquist encouraged me to join him on. I have been complaining about not having enough time in the day to accomplish all that needs to get done, plus write, exercise and take care of my family. He...
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. 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 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...
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...
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...
