I love the transition seasons (spring and fall) and I am thrilled that spring seems to be on its way her in Vancouver. The world is coming alive with fresh growth and tendrils of warmth from the sun. I tend to see metaphor all around me and that includes the seasonal shifts. The spring blossoms remind me of the cycles of our own lives. As trite as it may sound, I see hope in the shoots springing up from the once frozen ground. In our…
Accepting ourselves is something that almost everyone I know struggles with. There are parts we like and parts we would prefer not to acknowledge. Today I offer two quotes from eminent psychologists that speak to the process and importance of accepting ourselves for who we really are. From that place of self-compassion, we can find greater joy and greater growth.
Continuing on in the theme of love that spans out of Valentine's Day, today I offer up two links that explore love in unique ways. Tom's Story - This was posted on the Aphasia Institute's website. It is inspiring to see how these two individuals learned new ways to love one another after his stroke. I am sure it took time for them to reach a place of peace (and it probably is an ongoing balancing act). Yet it is hopeful to see how this couple…
My Recommended Reading this month is the "The Book of Awesome" by Neil Pasricha. I write this with a solemn awareness that often in the midst of our health struggles it can be difficult to locate those moments of joy or peace. This book is not about ignoring the hard times or "putting on a happy face". It is about noticing some small pleasures even in the middle of difficult times. I like that philosophy. It is unrealistic and unhelpful to expect someone who is in…
Here we are in February, the month of love. Valentine's Day advertising is all around us and feeding us the idea that this is the time to express our love. This can be a real challenge for people with communication disorders and their families. Words may not be an easy route for people who struggle to speak or to understand due to a communication disorder. So here is a chance to be creative and find some non-verbal ways to express your love and appreciation: Share…
"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change" - Mary Shelley This quote is particularly relevant to those times when we are dealing with a new health crisis or condition. It speaks to how we are catapulted from a familiar world into one in which we no longer know the rules and the norms. We no longer know what to expect. This is a scary time for many of us and it is normal that it takes time to regroup…
Mindfulness and meditation are big parts of my personal journey. I often include elements of each in my approach with clients if it is something that they are open to. As part of my own ongoing practice I signed up for a 30-Day Meditation Challenge for February. If you currently engage in meditation yourself, engaging in a challenge can be a way to focus your practice. That said, be gentle on yourself when taking on a challenge like this, especially if you have other health issues. …
While the holidays often carry a strong emotional charge, either good or bad, most of us find ourselves back to our routines in January. This can come with it's own set of trials whether we are dealing with health concerns or not. The holidays may be fraught with challenges as we strive to balance energy with social obligations that come through December. We may feel emotionally taxed as the variability in day-to-day life overwhelms functioning that is already difficult because of health concerns. It can…