There always seems to be this burning desire to see the family that you wish you had. We use rose-colored glasses and excuse behavior that we would never tolerate from others. And all too often, we find ways to blame ourselves for the mean or hurtful actions of our family members. We tell ourselves that we deserve to be treated poorly or that we somehow failed to be the loving sibling or child that we…
There is a certain magic to be discovered during a walk on the beach. Somehow all of your troubles and all that is weighing on your mind and your heart is left behind. Bit by bit your troubles are wiped away by the sand with each step you take. Suddenly you feel calm and relaxed as you turn to make your return trip down the beach. Only this time you are mentally at peace. The…
Humans were never meant to be solitary creatures. But progress and innovation have made that fact easy to forget. Now a trip to the store produces food and clothing, shelter is bought not built, as is our means of getting from point a to point b. We no longer need the help of others to meet these needs. It would appear that by earning money, one can live completely independently from others. But the…
We all lose our temper from time to time or become upset with another person. And we also all know, somewhere deep down, that we need to be able to process that feeling and put it behind us. Holding onto anger is much like holding a hot piece of coal in your hand. The longer you hold on to it, the more damage that it does to you, and only you. Just like your…
It’s always difficult to face the reality of a parent’s illness. Most children grow and thrive within the warm, protective sphere known as a loving parents care. And even when the relationship has been difficult or dysfunctional, there still seems to be a connection of more than simply genetics. This emotional connection to a parent might simply be a single, thin shred of hope that someday this complicated, or almost nonexistent relationship, will somehow…
People have often said when I was growing up that I had my dad’s eyes, a somewhat unique blue, and that always makes me smile. As you read my writing, you will quickly learn that my dad was one of my greatest heroes throughout much of my life. With the exception of a few years in my teens, I just knew that he was a pretty smart old guy. And in reality, he was always…
When my father passed, we placed a bench in his favorite state park as a memorial. It overlooks a small stream and is surrounded by massive trees. At some point, he learned the very important lesson that there is so much serenity to be found when surrounded by nature. It is a pure connection to the world that has been displaced by electronics, multitasking and the desire to always accomplish more. He knew that…
We all face challenges, moments when we question ourselves, our beliefs and even those whom we hold most dear but that is all part of our journey. And all of those events allow us to see life from a variety of different angles. During the difficult times, it feels like we can’t even look up far enough to see the light, but we always seem to find a way to fight back up to it…
My father has been gone for over 15 years, but I learned a new lesson from him today, or maybe I was just finally able to understand the lesson. Dad was a child of the depression and although the stories of his childhood always sounded like great adventures when I heard them as a child, I now have finally grasped the truth about his challenging childhood. If it can be called a childhood. His…
Science promises us that every glass is full, but life is all about what you choose to put in your glass. Will you be inattentive and just let your glass remain full of air, a colorless odorless gas? Or will you spend your journey filling your glass with rich, colorful memories brimming with emotions and lessons which can only be acquired by living each day to its fullest? Will you learn to search for…