I imagine wonderful possibilites for my life, but....... Sometimes my imagination takes me down dark holes where the possibilities for my life aren't so wonderful. Why is that? Why does that happen? I know it's because of doubts, worthiness, limiting beliefs, history of trauma, fear of the unknown, and my Cavewoman ancestors (seriously, but that's for another time). How about you? Do you imagine wonderful possibilites for yourself in your life? Or does your imagination take y

Say this to yourself: I let go of what is no longer serving me. I release all negative and judgemental thoughts about myself. I release what is holding me back. I embrace what is good and right for me. I am learning what is good and right for me. I am worthy. I choose health. I choose good health physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And now, say it again. But this time read each line, then close your eyes and say each line again to yourself. Softly. Slowly. Fee

Do you ever feel that life can get complicated? Of course it can. We're human. My life is complicated, or at least challenging, right now. I've been down this road before. Actually, it was a similar road, and I don't like this part of the journey. Perhaps you're on a challenging journey right now or have been in the past. If you're like me, you may need to remind yourself that you don't have to do this on your own. Ask for help or support, and accept that support when it is

"Most people don't lose their dreams all at once. They simply keep postponing the moment they decide to act." (Miriam Laundry, author) Does that sound familiar? I know it does for me. Many of us, or should I say most of us, wait for the right time, until we have more time, until we retire, until the kids start school, until we have more money, until......... But what exactly are we waiting for? What are you waiting for? Time is going by. First, it goes by moment by moment. Th

I don't like our home being this quiet. It means our son, daughter-in-law, and our two young grandchildren have returned to their home in another country. Too far away. I miss the hugs, the laughter, the playing, the smiles, the tears, the questions, the learning (for all of us), the conversations, and I miss my daughter-in-law's delicious cooking. I am thankful for the time we had together this summer. A true blessing. I am thankful our son and daughter-in-law chose to come

What is meant by a Spiritual Life? For some people it is their religious beliefs, and perhaps a community of like believers. For some people it is their beliefs in something bigger than themselves, perhaps referred to as Higher Power, the Universe, God, Great Spirit. And for some people it is a combination of the two, or perhaps even something very different. Some scientists and researchers refer to a Spiritual Life as the "awakened brain," an awareness, a feeling, a knowing

Wholeness is something you remember. Wholeness is imperfect--not perfect. Wholeness is being you--being who you were created to be--warts and all. Wholeness is knowing you are loved--you have always been loved and will always be loved. You are allowed to be "in progress." Remembering, "I like you just the way you are." Wholeness is kindness towards yourself. Wholeness is love in action. Wholeness is knowing in your deepest self that you are enough. Wholeness is YOU are worthy

When you think about your own life, what is it that you value the most? Achievements? Possessions? Children? Family? Money? Love? Inner Peace? Sharing? Gratefulness? Time? Faith? Joy? The world tends to value what it can see, read about, or hear: Achievements, possessons, money. But it seems to me that life's greatest treasures can not be seen with the eye. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." (Antoine de Saint-Exupe

Begin by quickly answering these questions. How do you want your life to be? What do you want your life to look like? What's your dream or vision for your life? How do you want to feel? Get a journal and write your answers. By writing down your answers, you are sending a message to your brain and your whole being that you are commited to making positive changes, big or small, in your life. Just a gentle reminder from my previous blog: focus on the feelings--your feelings. Not

Most of the world doesn't go after their dreams. Do you? Most of the world has quit having life's dreams. Have you? Life's dreams require action. Are you taking action on your life's dreams? One of my cousins was an outdoors individual who rode and trained horses, and dreamed of having a horse ranch of her own. She even created a scene in the sand (sand play therapy), which contained the house, the horses, the pastures and corrals, barns and stables, dogs and cats, trees, and

Do you? Do you remember who you really are? I love this quote from the book, Always Remember--The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm by Charlie Mackesy: "I know my mind can play tricks on me, and tell me I'm no good, that it's all hopeless. But I need to remember who I am; that I am loved, I matter, and I bring to this world things no one else can. So I'll hold on." (The Boy said the above quote) There are times when each of us does remember. And there are times,

Who Are You? is a question one of my professors in graduate school asked our class. It turned out to be a very powerful exercise. It's a question I asked my therapy clients. It was very enlightening for each person. I encourage you to ask yourself Who Are You? or you can ask Who Am I? Here are the instructions: Ask yourself the question. Your answer can be only one to three words. (You don't need to say I am at the beginning of each answer.) Write down your answers. You repea

I can visualize it now--my son, daughter-in-law, and my two young grandchildren walking that ever-so-long hallway at the airport--I can see them coming--I can hardly wait! I am filled with Joy! And then my arms are filled with hugs! I have happy tears. My heart is overflowing with love. Just thinking about it: my heart is overflowing with love. I can hardly wait. But I have to wait one month. That's okay. We will look at the moon and "our big bright star." I can hardly wait f

Do you ever have that feeling that your life is falling apart? You know things aren't going well. This isn't what you expected or hoped for. You're overwhelmed and don't know which way to turn. You don't know which choice you need to make. Is this what life is all about? Things fall apart. Things come back together, although perhaps not as they once were. It's like a cycle or the circle of life. Endings aren't usually happy times, but the Beginnings are happy and oftentimes

"Throughout the day I pause to empty my mind of stress and to invite Spirit to fill my heart." (Daily Word, Unity, June 10, 2016) Over the past 11 months I have recited this saying over and over again to myself. But sometimes I struggle to remind myself to pause and to breathe and to let go of stress and to invite Spirit to fill my heart. Pause......... Breathe.......... Have you found that sometimes it's just not very easy to pause or to empty your mind of stress or to rem

"Yeah, what do ya want?" Seems to oftentimes be the greeting on the phone or across the counter at a store, or even in the doctor's office. And that is really NOT okay. What has happened to treating all people with respect and dignity? What has happened to just being polite? What has happened to taking the time to politely listen, not to their entire life's story, but to listen to their excitement, accomplishments, pain, sadness, or worry? And to be supportive? All of these q

I've been asked that very question numerous times by children, and sometimes by adults. And sometimes it can be a hard question to answer. I mean, how old are you? Is it my age in numbers? I'm not sure I feel like my numbers age. Maybe I can compare my age to the Giant Sequoias, which can live to over 3,000 years. In that case, I am just a tiny baby. But I guess, it might work better, for comparison sake, if I focus on people and our ages. I started thinking about age, becaus

The last 10 months have been challenging, and the last two months have been VERY stressful! I keep trying to calm myself, and to not be or get too stressed out. But as you probably know, that is sometimes easier said than done. Breathe........ Pray without ceasing........... My husband was diagnosed with a perforated appendix last June, which required hospitalization and antibiotics. Per the doctors, his body was doing what it was supposed to do, with the help of antibiotics,

Does your imagination set you free, or does it hold you captive with drama and trauma from which you try to escape? Your imagination is a powerful tool that can be used to heal, create, dream, solve world problems, transcend your day-to-day reality, be courageous, and brave enough to step outside your comfort zone. Your imagination can also be used to forge an emotional and physical prison, most often based upon your past history of trauma and fears, and/or the world's trauma

Children are our future. We've probably all heard that saying. And yet, children are dying by the thousands in our world today because of war, starvation, lack of adequate medical care, abuse, pre-term birth, firearm injuries, mental health and violence (suicide and homicide), drug overdose, and vehicle accidents. These children are experiencing horrendous trauma. My heart aches for the children and their families. We've gotten used to and numb to the suffering in our world.