Have you ever asked “Why” when bad things happen? I’m sure most of us have but for sake of argument, how much practical good does it do us to ask why? Do you feel better? Do you resolve issues? Do you get unstuck and start to move forward? Not likely. A better question that moves […]
Grief drives men into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart (John Adams). Part of learning to dance with adversity and find hope in painful circumstances is to have a framework to help you deal with the losses that come into our lives (whether they be as traumatic as a death […]
One practice useful for processing life’s experiences of trauma, pain and adversity is journaling. Truth be told, it`s been a practice of mine for years and has only grow more valuable during this season of adversity and recovery. Journaling can take on many different forms (be it paper or electronic) and be used for a […]
There’s a Jewish saying that goes: What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. Have tears been like soap in your life? During this season of recovery, tears have been my friend. They have been a release valve for pent up frustration, a way to cope with physical pain, a natural response […]
One place I had to go in my journey of healing and recovery was back to the scene of our accident. I’ve been back there emotionally and eventually will go back physically when my mobility allows it. Our brokenness and hurt was the result of driver error – the inattentiveness of one person who ran […]
How would you define “blessings”? The dictionary defines “blessing” as: the act or words of a person who blesses a special favor, mercy, or benefit a gift bestowed by God that brings happiness the invoking of God’s favor upon a person a prayer said before a meal Generally, blessings are thought of by most as […]
To live is to experience change. When we choose to change, it usually goes smoothly emotionally. When change is thrust upon us and turns our lives upside down it can result in an emotional ride that is filled with a mixed bag of emotions. Many years ago, some wise people who watched this change journey […]
He who knows the universe and does not know himself knows nothing. Jean De La Fontaine Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Tao Te Ching Your ability to “hope for the best and dance with the rest” becomes more likely when you take the time and trouble to know yourself emotionally. The […]
Expectations can be our friend but unfortunately they can also be our worst nightmare. The challenge is to dance with expectations so they remain reasonably realistic yet filled with promise. How exactly do you do that? The two ditches you fall into: 1) No expectations. Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be […]
If you look up “hope” in the dictionary you will discover two parts to the definition: a) “desire or expectation” for something in the future to occur; and b) “grounds for believing” something in the future will occur. You run into trouble when you have one without the other. When you have “desire without any grounds” you […]