Blog
The allure of chasing things
The urge to chase presents itself at a young age. First, we chase the attention of our parents and teachers. We chase grades, awards, accolades, educations. After that come the status careers and promotions, fancy cars and homes, and other markers of success. Most of us, at one point or…
Finding oneself while caring for others
When you think of “taking care of someone,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you might think of “love,” “warmth,” “devotion,” “attention,” or “concern.” You might also think of “hardship,” “sacrifice,” “burden,” and “burnout.” All these words speak to the complex reality of taking care of our loved ones. I’m now…
Recognizing an open – and closed – heart
Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash The other day I had a great conversation. It was life-affirming, easy, and clear (“everyone was on the same page”). Each person honored each other with deep respect and curious inquiry. It made me smile for a long time afterwards. I was grateful because…
Think the World of Someone
My mother-in-law and I on a special day in 2018 Every once in a while, out of the blue, someone honors us with something very special: unconditional positive regard. They have a twinkle in their eye when they look at you and endow you with praise like, “You’re amazing,” “You…
Finding peace during troubling times
Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash Those of us in the Pacific Northwest know that winter brings grey, wet weather for long stretches at a time. This week, I have enjoyed a wonderful spell of sunshine and warmth. I’m trying to focus on my immediate world of burgeoning tulips and…
On healing: lessons from cancer and hardship
Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash It has been a very quiet 18 months for me. I use “quiet” not to mean peaceful or uneventful, but off the digital radar. After such a long absence, I admit that coming back to social media feels like I’m at a party introducing…