Back in October I casually mentioned that not only was California the last of the 50 states to finally pass a law to license professional counselors, but that I had decided to go for it. I also said that because I’ve been a counselor for 10 years, I get a pretty good deal: the chance to … Continue reading
Me. Many years ago. A high school corridor. I’m stopped by two girls, vaguely familiar, with notebooks in hand. Brunette and blonde. Ready to write. “We’re doing a story for the school paper,” the brunette tells me. “Can we ask you a question?” “Yeah, sure!” “Cool! What famous person do you wish you could trade … Continue reading
How do we cultivate patience? That’s the prevailing theme for the week. It’s shown up in almost every session with clients. And we all seem to agree: it’s HARD to do patience. So yes, I’ve been known to ask clients how they cultivate their patience. But I’ve learned it’s not a very effective question. And … Continue reading
It’s that time again. When people do a little dance with their gray matter and attempt to capture an entire year in a single word. Okay, sometimes it’s two words. Maybe even three. Or a whole phrase. But however many words are on the agenda, it always makes me tense up. It feels reductive. Constrained. … Continue reading
Around this time last year I was writing about home. Pondering its nature and wondering what it means to go back. Reminding myself that to truly appreciate home, we have to leave it first. So in the final post of the series, I wrote: Leave home we do, throughout our lives. But I don’t just mean those … Continue reading
Last month I was on the receiving end of a technique meant to help people feel better about themselves and their lives. Well, maybe technique is the wrong word. You could probably call it a movement, since it’s gained many followers. And I was game to try it, at least once. So there I was: Answering … Continue reading
If you’re new here you may not know this, but my writing has been somewhat sporadic lately. It’s not that I have nothing to say. Quite the contrary, loads of ideas are vying for space in the old right brain. Daily, it seems, a new inspiration knocks at my door. But the urgency to get … Continue reading
Almost without fail, my quest to nest asserts itself at this time of year. The big stock pot emerges from the cupboard, ready for the simmering soups it will host. The oven gets called back to work from its months-long vacation. And out come the warm blankets and fluffy comforters. My sewing machine will probably … Continue reading
I am I Don Quixote…The Lord of La Mancha…My Destiny Calls and I Go! When I hear this refrain, I get all excited-tingly inside. And I’m not alone, apparently. Last Saturday night I sat in a packed theatre with a bunch of other people, all of us watching Don Quixote’s magical quest unfold and letting … Continue reading
I’m busy this week. And about a thousand miles away from summer’s dance of laziness. It’s good, though. A different kind of dance. If July and August were a slow, languid waltz, then September is shaping up to be a peppy, energizing quick step. But I’m lucky. I love my work and when fall rolls … Continue reading
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