Forgiveness is very personal. Often a life-long journey. But not an absolute requirement for a whole and happy existence. Everyone applies their own personal meaning to it. What might be forgiveness for one person wouldn’t seem so for another. And that’s okay. There’s no right way to do forgiveness. I think there’s an in-between spot too. Between … Continue reading
The acorns have been dropping for well over a month. Tink! Clang! Thud! Bing! Donk! They rain down on the tile roof and the wood deck, making all kinds of racket. When you’re in the house and the wind picks up, it’s like a mighty hail storm’s going on out there, complete with gargantuan chunks of ice. (Only they’re … Continue reading
Sometimes I’ll get a note or an email from a client I worked with years ago. And I do mean years ago. Like maybe a decade ago, because I’ve been counseling and coaching, in one professional incarnation or another, for over 13 years. When these missives arrive from former clients my first response is always … Continue reading
That’s me in the photo, with my brother Mike. I was about five-years-old, sporting my mom’s sunglasses and my grandmother’s cigarette holder. I remember the day vividly: sunny, summer, goofing around with my brothers at my grandparents’ house. But then things turned. I don’t remember why or what caused it. All I know is I … Continue reading
Look Deep Love Deep Work Deep Play Deep * * * * * Comments are closed since I’m madly studying for exams (although blogging continues). I’m on at least a two month social media hiatus too but love hearing from you by email: pattybechtold (at) gmail (dot) com. You can also sign up for my … Continue reading
Today, in the space of a few hours, I saw a lot of people looking down. The mother walking in my neighborhood with her very young daughter. The driver in the car next to me, waiting for the light to change. The friends grabbing a quick lunch in the restaurant. The father leaving the zoo … Continue reading
Maybe I have a love-hate relationship with callings. I mean, they’re so wonderfully confusing aren’t they? The tug. The deep yearning. The promise. The daunting truth that sometimes it feels like you’re tracking a wily stranger who’s an expert at disappearing around every corner. Some people, I’ve noticed, receive very clear callings and are propelled … Continue reading
Here’s the thing: a lot of us are lonely. Oh, maybe we don’t use the word lonely to describe what we’re feeling. Often that seems too risky, like we’re setting ourselves up to be judged by the dictionary definitions of it: companionless, desolate, bleak. Instead we talk about the absence of (and yearning for) deep … Continue reading
There’s a lot of love floating around this week and I’m enjoying all of it. Some of my clients have even been creating celebratory self-love valentines during our sessions. And as we cut out the hearts and add colors and words, I’m reminded of just how challenging it can be to open up and receive … Continue reading
“Human relationships are rich; they’re messy and demanding.” No, I didn’t write that sentence I started out with. Credit goes to Sherry Turkle. I sure wish I wrote it, though. Because, well, it’s so sublimely true. Relationships are all of it: Smooth. Rocky. Delightful. Annoying. Transformative. For me, they make life worth living. My deepest … Continue reading
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