We all need the words. With accurate words we can clearly communicate our experiences to others, find others who share our experience, and have others understand what we’re going through. Rarely has, “I’m fine,” in response to, “How are you doing?” transmitted any useful information. Is it time to banish these banal responses? Word Jail.… Continue reading “How Are You Doing?”
Category: Mental Health
Searching For The Lost Things
I did it again. I put something in a safe place only to be unable to find it when I need it. It’s infuriating because I know that I didn’t throw it out! Ironically, I managed to keep it safe even from myself. Why does this happen and how can I stop myself from doing… Continue reading Searching For The Lost Things
Letting Go Of Control And Trusting Your Intentions
Changing my intention and trusting that this will help has been a tough lesson to learn. It’s been difficult because I resist letting go. I want to control the situation and make it happen. But the truth is that all I need to do is change my intention and then trust the process and the… Continue reading Letting Go Of Control And Trusting Your Intentions
Making Decisions I’m Happier With
Decide now. React now. Do it now! There’s a lot of pressure to respond immediately when faced with anything from a simple social invitation to a more important broken fridge. When a disagreement happens, or a problem with the car appears, I feel an urgency to tackle it right away. The teacher in me always… Continue reading Making Decisions I’m Happier With
Older And Progressive
There are many ageist beliefs that I’ve seen at work, but the idea that older teachers are more conservative in their methods than the younger ones is a pet peeve of mine. Perhaps you’ve seen it in your job, where the younger employees assume that the older ones are out of touch and backwards? They’ll… Continue reading Older And Progressive
Oversharing: Rambling On To Others
It can be embarrassing. I’ve been standing at the counter paying for a book and suddenly I’m sharing all about why I love this book and what this author means to me. The salesperson usually smiles politely as they hand me my receipt and I walk away sheepishly, realizing I’ve overshared…again. Self-Awareness I was lucky… Continue reading Oversharing: Rambling On To Others
Growing From A Caretaker To A Listener
I’ve recently become aware of the caretaker role and how much I have invested in being a caretaker for family and friends. I thought it was a good thing, but now I’m seeing it differently and realizing that caretaking has a harmful side that I never intended. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you… Continue reading Growing From A Caretaker To A Listener
Should I Google That?
In the information age, where the answers to every question are available with a quick search on my phone, what information is actually important enough to remember? I don’t think I value the answers to my questions as much any more. I’ll watch a show and wonder what other programmes the lead actor was in,… Continue reading Should I Google That?
Being Stuck
I’ve been there. Stuck. It’s that despondent feeling that you have to put up with a life situation because change is too difficult to even contemplate. As a young parent, I was stuck. I didn’t drive. Struggling In Winter Weather. I used a stroller to push my toddler through the snow to daycare before hopping… Continue reading Being Stuck
We Bring The Meaning
The meaning we give to an experience is unique to us. A butterfly landing on a sunflower can be a beautiful collection of colours to one person, but to another person it represents a visit from a beloved ancestor. We often believe that we know how an experience that we shared with others, effected them.… Continue reading We Bring The Meaning
Retired, And Now What? 