A friend sent me a link to this article from The Huffington Post that I would like to share with you: How Generous Are You Willing To Be? Often when we consider generosity we see it as an altruistic act towards another person. This piece of writing is a refreshing take on how sometimes generosity is expressed through allowing our beautiful gifts to shine in the world. So often it is the simple, yet brave, act of sharing our authentic selves that brings enrichment to the…
I moved apartments this past weekend. Distance wise, it wasn't far, but it certainly reminded me of the distress that can occur with change. Life's transitions may be good or bad (and often both) and it is disorienting and taxing on our emotions and mental health. It seemed a metaphor for life as I sorted through my belongings and chose which objects to keep and which to discard. Even the items that I knew were old and no longer useful held sentimental attachment and it took…
The theme of suffering has presented itself to me in many ways over the last week. I have encountered multiple perspectives on the nature of suffering and the question of the necessity of suffering in the pursuit of meaning and purpose. While I will not attempt to unpack such deep topics here, I will share this Woody Allen quote: This quote is a gentle and humorous reminder that despite the inevitable challenges and frustrations in our lives, most of us still have a drive to participate…
Last month I was thrilled to present for the Canadian Diabetes Association on the topic of "Diabetes Burnout". It's a subject I am familiar with both as a person with diabetes and as a counsellor who sees clients who struggle with burnout. Sometimes the daily management tasks can wear us down. When they do we need to be gentle with ourselves as we harness our strengths and resources to get back on track. The slides from the presentation can be viewed below.
There are many writers and teachers who inspire my work and one such individual is Dr. Irvin Yalom. He is an American psychiatrist who developed Existential Psychotherapy. Dr. Yalom's writings are personable and at times quite humourous as he illustrates the dance of therapy through case anecdotes in The Gift of Therapy. Existential therapy is highly relevant to many of my clients who are coping with unexpected transitions and life challenges often in relation to their health. When we are unexpectedly faced with a crisis, we…
Last week marked the end of the Daring Way (tm) group experience. I feel fortunate to have spent the past two months co-facilitating, learning and growing with a remarkable group of women. As the final session approached, I was reminded of the necessity for endings in life and how under-prepared we typically are for the emotional response. For many of us, the end of any relationship is marked as a sad, often sudden, and unwanted transition. The ending may be due to death, break-up, moving or…
As a final post for March, I want to share a favourite song with you - "Brave" by Sara Bereilles. It's one you have likely heard before and I highly encourage you to check out the video below as it elevates the song from a catchy tune to something truly special. This is a video I frequently turn to in those moments when life is feeling a bit too heavy and I need a lift. I hope it can provide a smile to your day as…
A quote today today about renewal. As we deal with change and transition in life, it can be unsettling and yet it is also a chance to begin again and sow new seeds. We may not be able to predict the flower at the end, yet we in tending the soil with gentle love and warmth, we WILL see the blossoms with time.
Today is St Patrick's Day and so "green" seemed an appropriate theme for a blog post. Thinking green thoughts led me to recall the ways in which contact with the natural environment in our lives can support our mental and emotional well-being. Here are three links to explore: Mental health doctor prescribes a good dose of nature - Who better than David Suzuki to open a dialogue on the psychological and emotional benefits of nature experiences? Green Cities: Good Health - This piece explores the restorative…
As we near the halfway point of the Daring Way (TM) group here in Vancouver, it is fitting that I direct your attention to Dr. Brene Brown's book "The Gifts of Imperfection". Over and over, when I find myself in those moments of self-doubt, shame, and comparison, I come back to this book. It reminds me that these perceived "failings" are a part of my story and offer potential points of connection. The wisdom within these pages resonates with many of my clients, my colleagues, my…