Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger presented at a Ted conference together and had a heartfelt and courageous narrative of their journey to reconciliation around rape. This journey began when they were 16 and 18 years old, with a high school romance and changed after one horrific evening. After one much … Read More
The Positive Impacts of Having a Pet
As I open the door to my house, I hear several paws scampering down the stairs. Two beagles run towards me smiling from ear to ear as they launch their wagging bodies onto me. I am met with this level of excitement every single day. This is by far one … Read More
Divorce: Dad or Mom left…now what?
Navigating divorce is difficult. There are many causes for divorce. A few of these are: Affairs Grown apart/fallen out of love Addiction Incompatible Divorce becomes even more complex when there are children involved. Many times, parents become bitter and angry towards each other and it is hard to treat each … Read More
Overcoming Unkindness
Have you ever been in situations where you have been subjected to other people’s snide remarks or mockery (of course, under the guise of innocent teasing). When you are subjected to this type of unkindness by friends or by family members, it can be easy to make an excuse. “Perhaps … Read More
The Post Holiday Blues
For many parents, the Christmas holiday is a time that they can see their family again. They can have all their children under one roof and operate happily amidst all the noise that was so familiar when the kids were growing up. But then the holiday hustle and bustle stop, … Read More
The Promise of the Holiday Season
In a world consumed with commercialism, it can be easy to lose sight of what the holiday season is really about. We tend to focus on superficial aspects of life and then fall hard when those things crumble before our eyes. Delicious food, presents, and lots of laughs are part … Read More
The Pursuit of Happiness
During the holidays, I find that there is an emphasis on joy, cheerfulness, and merriness. However, what happens when you have tried to find happiness and failed? Sometimes, individuals think they are entitled to it. The fact of the matter is that life can be difficult and can crush the … Read More
Sobriety During the Holidays
Eat, Drink, and be Merry! This is a popular holiday slogan that many of us are familiar with. Nevertheless, holidays are often a time that can be a trigger for individuals struggling with addiction and sobriety. Many people think that the holidays are just a time for happiness and time … Read More
Making Stress Your Friend: Experiencing Stress Positively – Part 3
In the previous sections of this blog, we began exploring the health benefits the body experiences by simply viewing the body’s stress response (quickening heart beat, sweaty hands, etc) as helpful. In the last part of this series, we will investigate how the hormone oxytocin is a critical component to … Read More
Athletes: Listening To Your Body
Beep, Beep, Beep. I sleepily rolled over and looked at my alarm. The clock showed 6:15a.m. on Saturday morning. I lay in bed for a moment and had an internal debate. Should I put on my running shoes and get my 8 miles in? Deep down, my body ached; it … Read More
