Perspective of Awe

Albert Einstein said, “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”  While I feel certain that we don’t want to think of ourselves as dead, we also know how prone we are to lose our sense of wonder.  Ask yourself –…

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Patterns of Abuse

I hope that everyone reading this knows nothing about patterns if abuse. It is my wish that none of you have ever been abused and certainly have never been an abuser. However, I know that this is not true. And the patterns I am referring to today are those of emotional abuse. This is probably…

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Parenting with Purpose

I still recall being at a Parent-Student dinner when I was working as a school counselor in California 30 years ago. I worked with some great students and one in particular who I was anxious to brag on to his parents. As I greeted his father, I began to speak of the tremendous strides his…

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Parenting is Not for Sissies

If you have more than one child, you have probably at some point felt “ganged up on” by the kids.  Knowing the power inequity they experience, because you are the parent and they are not, they often find strength in numbers.  It is to be expected.  However, what you didn’t count on was being ganged…

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Overcoming Conflict

In a recent interview a number of therapists were asked about recommended strategies for overcoming conflict.  This is such an important topic as unresolved conflict can severely erode the foundation of a relationship to the point that it begins to topple.  I want to adapt a few of their responses today to apply toward the…

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Opportunities to Practice

In a study released last year by the American Sociological Association, it was discovered that Americans with siblings are more likely to stay married than those who were only children.  The Ohio State University researchers found that each sibling a person has, up to seven, decreases their risk of divorce by 2%. Now at first…

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Old Tapes – Part Two

I have recently come across some old cassette tapes of music that I have loved from years gone by.  I have been converting these into CDs so that I can still enjoy these classic bands in my car.  I am amazed at how powerful these old tapes can be in transporting me back in time…

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Old Tapes – Part One

My kids would say that I am showing my age here when I talk about “old tapes.”  Those could be referring to cassettes, VHS, Beta, 8 Track, and so on – if you’re old enough to remember those.  For those of you who are younger – just replace the word “tape” with MP3, flash drive,…

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