What are you celebrating? Unable to gather in large groups, perhaps, like me, you’ve lost track of celebration. Yet even when we don’t feel like raising a glass there are multiple reasons to do so. Completing a work day, connecting with a friend on a phone call and sitting down to dinner represent good fortune worthy … Read more
Beneath a huge sky in the backseat of “Cream Puff”, our silver sedan, and sitting with no where to go, my body slowly began to relax. The only available movement was exercising my eyesight to look out the window. With each breath every muscle in my body seemed to slacken. My lungs repeatedly exhaled involuntarily, expunging stress from … Read more
Slogans from long ago keep popping into my head these days, acting as random reminders, providing support for this crazy time. “Peace I ask of Thee Oh River, Peace, Peace Peace”, a one-liner from a camp song (and an anthem for the Girl Scouts) reminds us about quieting the mind amidst the chaos, seeing beauty, and … Read more
Take your elbows off the table. When chewing keep your mouth closed. Pull yourself together out of respect for yourself and for others (they have to look at you!). My parents extolled these manners growing up and, similarly, my kids have heard the same reminders for years. Manners represent “ways of behaving with reference to … Read more
No hugging, cheek kissing or hand shaking allowed. Yes, our social skills are a little rusty. Yes, there’s an underlying feeling of uncertainty (less when people wear face masks). Yet even in a socially- distanced way, physically being in the same space with another offers relief. Nothing can replace physical presence. Now we … Read more
“…The car represents freedom, mobility, and the control you feel over your destiny/destination.” … Read more
When looking at our backyard you see lots of small holes passionately dug by two bored dogs. These holes were not made by sweet rabbits. The silver Standard poodle, Toulousse, and the chubby black Labradoodle, Louis, enthusiastically thought, “There must be treasure underneath, worms, treats and even a buried steak.” Walking in the yard is … Read more
Let’s go back to our birth. After months inside, suddenly we become a Being on the outside. A “New Normal” dichotomy begins. We live constantly with “who we are” on the Inside and “how we show up” on the Outside. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Inner aligned with the Outer? Consider the joy … Read more
As young children my brother and I worked with a speech therapist on articulation. These sessions with Mrs. Philips represent some of my earliest memories as a child. Walking to the front door of a small white Colonial house, holding Henry’s hand, and spending many hours exercising our lips, we learned to speak clearly. Sometimes … Read more
