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Family, Friends and the Holidays

The holidays are, for many, a difficult time of added activity and expectations, an increased amount of family and friend time – or loneliness and sadness if you don’t have connections with others.

If you find the holidays challenging or stressful, read on.

If you find them wonderful, read on! You are probably the light, joy, safe space and energy needed by those around you.

The song, “The Grand Design” by Greg Tamblyn is a beautiful message about our inter-connectedness as human beings. Continue reading “Family, Friends and the Holidays”

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Does your vision need UNcorrecting?

All loss is gain. Since I have become so near-sighted I see no dust or squalor, and therefore conceive of myself as living in splendor. ~Alice James, American diarist

Though I am still confused between near and farsightedness, I SO get that quote! My vision up close is horrible! I can’t read a word that is smaller than 20 point type.

Even as my vision has me living in (dirty) splendor, I must admit that I am often disgusted when I see with glasses on. Yet:

How would a case of nearsightedness work in a relationship?

Continue reading “Does your vision need UNcorrecting?”

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It’s all about relationship!

I heard this many times over the years from my husband as director of a non-profit:

It’s all about relationship!

And his aim was always to put listening, trust building, connecting — relationship — first. Relationship — before discussing treatment plans, performance issues, stuff that needed to be done.

Last week at the Fox Valley Literacy Council celebration of achievement gala, I heard it again. Continue reading “It’s all about relationship!”

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Where are you a people-pleaser?

I’ve done more harm by the falseness of trying to please than by the honesty of trying to hurt. ~ Jessamyn West, writer

This quotation hit me today as I was about to journal. It seems to speak to the codependency so many suffer from. This “trying to please” isn’t about doing something kind; rather, it is about changing “me” so as not to displease “you”. Jessamyn suggests that this form of hurting others is far more pervasive than intending to cause harm “honestly”. For example: Continue reading “Where are you a people-pleaser?”

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“Come From” Energy

WARNING: Today’s topic is meant to wake you up – jar you a bit – invite you into a deeper level of responsibility for how you show up in the world. Proceed with courage!

Think about a time when you have done something you didn’t want to, perhaps resentfully or grudgingly. Or, recall a time when you were physically present but emotionally and spiritually, perhaps even mentally, “out to lunch”. Or, what about those times when your reason for doing “it” was all about what you would gain – perhaps business or recognition? If it weren’t for the benefits, you so would NOT be there! 

Now, think about a time when you’ve been with someone else whose energy was at a disconnect from their “good” actions. Continue reading ““Come From” Energy”