I’ve heard people says things like, “it doesn’t matter about the turkey/presents/football games/sweet potatoes/green bean casserole/rolls/pies—-as long as we’re together.” I’ve never heard anyone say “It doesn’t matter if we are together, as long as there is turkey/presents/football games . . etc.” Yet 2020 has put some of us there. What can we do? 1) Be Gentle. […]

Write what you know . . . isn’t that what they tell folks? Well, I know I went to the dentist. I know half of my mouth shouldn’t be used for a bit. I know drinking coffee is not usually such an adventure. I know I thought about forgiveness and emotional wellness as I sat

In an odd turn of events, I get to sit out on my deck in November and write. Is this a beautiful day? Is it the last chance to enjoy the outside before the Wisconsin winter sets in? Is it a day to get things done? What is the right way to spend this day, to

What has happened, where are we now, and how do we recover? What has happened?We have been witness to division, anger, aggression, meanness, incivility and  so much more. We have been living through a pandemic. We have felt pushed, pressed, pulled and maybe piled on. When we could safely gather with all our families and friends, maybe

Last week, I wrote about how if someone feels they are a burden, if they feel everyone would be better off without them, they are at a higher risk for suicide. I then wrote about how forgiveness can help mitigate this feeling of burdensomeness and help us to see ourselves, and those that have hurt

In September, I had the opportunity to present on The Role of Forgiveness in Suicide Prevention and Recovery. Over the next few weeks I’d like to share some things I learned. Today, I want to look at one of the risk factors for suicide and how forgiveness can help protect us from that risk factor. Perceived BurdensomenessOne risk factor

I have learned the power of gratitude along my journey. I am in some groups that recommend a “gratitude journal”–an ongoing list of things to be grateful for. Lately, I have challenged myself to look beyond the obvious blessings and the great things I have going on in life. I am trying to look at

As the October wind continues to gust around my yard, I see more and more colorful leaves dropping, floating, zig-zagging, plummeting to the ground. But not all of them. Some seem to want to hang around. Sounds like my journey. ChangeAs I journey through life and attempt to live a forgiving life, I need to

One More Step in the Journey: Be . . .How can we prepare our hearts, minds and bodies to forgive? Forgiveness is not easy and it is not embraced by the world around us. Our hearts may be very hard toward a person who has hurt us. Our minds may be bombarded with constant mental messages about revenge. Our tight,

Ever get sidetracked? I want to apologize for the unannounced hiatus from weekly postings. Part of me is super proud that I posted weekly for as long as I did (new record). Part of me is not. I am full of excuses why I don’t do what I want to do, but I have few