Many North Americans struggle to live with grief in a healthy way—often denying or minimizing their pain. My counselling therapy clients frequently apologize for crying, assume they’re too emotional, diagnosis themselves as depressed, or pretend everything is fine while feeling overwhelmed. Yet, as David Kessler writes in Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, we […]
Almost every week I hear a client or others talk about a relationship they might end. “She drives me crazy! She talks negatively about her life, on and on.” Should you ditch the, so called, negative people in your life? According to motivational guru, Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you […]
It’s a true delight to spend time with Brandi Heather, author of Return to Play: Rebuilding Resilience, Risk and Reconnection. I’ve been privileged to do just that and feel grateful to call her a friend. Brandi is an award-winning Disability and Inclusion Educator and Therapeutic Play Specialist. With a background in kinesiology and sport studies, […]
Resilience sounds like a big word, but it’s actually simple—kind of like a rubber band. Some rubber bands are big, some are small. Some stretch easily, others don’t. Just like people. 🎨 Visual Metaphor: Imagine a rubber band looped around a bundle of pencils. It’s doing its job—holding things together. But if you add […]
Have you ever said or done anything you regret? I am not talking about a fumble mumble or tripping over the front hall rug. Rather, I am referring to disrespecting someone, emotionally wounding another, or crossing over a personal boundary. I’ve done my fair share. For example, I have: Acted disrespectfully. Years ago, I invited […]
Kristin Neff’s book Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind was published in 2011. Neff provides research and stories illustrating the importance of compassion toward ourselves. She also offers easy exercises that invite self-awareness, as well as self-compassion. But her research began long before that in the early 2000s. Kristin Neff’s Research Neff […]
“Lean on me, when you’re not strong And I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on…” Yes, we all need someone to lean on! It was at Sunday Service when Amy Bishop began singing Lean on Me, I thought of our world that often praises self-sufficiency and independence. Bill Withers’ 1972 classic, “Lean on […]
“Shame on you!” hits differently than “You are guilty of taking the cookie from the cookie jar.” While they might sound similar, shame and guilt are actually very different emotional experiences—and both can deeply affect our well-being. Add in resentment, especially when it’s directed at those who trigger these feelings, and it becomes even more […]
Bullying is a significant issue in many communities, and our culture often responds by advocating for anti-bullying measures. But is this approach the most effective way to address the problem? I beleive the key to lasting change lies not in just stopping bullying, but in building resilience and virtues in the next generation. When Bullying […]
How many seniors does it take to change a light bulb? None—because seniors don’t want to change anything!” While this old joke brings a chuckle, it also reveals a common truth—change is difficult. The fear of downsizing can affect the older person and those who support them. But the reality is, older people have been […]
Anger is called the misunderstood emotion because many people do not know how to use it constructively. If unmanaged it can do harm to your relationships and trigger the release of numerous stress hormones in your brain and body.
When it comes to building strong, healthy relationships, two fundamental skills are often overlooked: speaking with courage and listening with compassion. Whether you’re having conversations at home or at work, developing these skills can lead to more meaningful interactions. I often see clients in my counselling therapy practice who wither away in silence of erupt […]