What’s to Come

(Inspired by a NPR Poetry Prompt)

I dream a world where oppression is suffocated by kindness,

not a false, plastered on kindness that puffs up the perceived worthy,

but a true kindness that reaches to elevate those struggling under the

weight of generational ideology that’s past its expiration date.

 

I dream a world where our differences don’t mandate our division;

where we celebrate, rather than seek to obliterate, our unique cultures and

weave a glorious tapestry of our many-colored threads.

 

I dream a world where we value truth above power;

where the value and well-being of every individual

is our collective goal.

 

I am not better because you are less and you are not less because I deem myself better.

 

I dream a world where we appoint leaders who inspire

common goals born of calling us to a deeper understanding;

leaders who surround themselves with visionaries and sages rather than acolytes.

 

I dream a world where we can gracefully dismantle the old ways that impede progress while merging wise ways with new ways that forge a more equitable future.
I dream a world that has more faith than fear as we face what’s to come.

SIX TIPS FOR SURVIVING SUMMER

Surviving Summer

We’re smack in the middle of summer and this is the first year since having Tips for Surving Summerchildren that I’ve felt calm and capable. I know a lot of moms with younger children who aren’t quite there yet. I promise, it will get better. Surviving summer used to be a major hurdle for me and I’ve learned a few strategies along the way.

While many of us revel in the sunshine, longer days, and more relaxed schedules—others face the season reluctantly.  Reverse seasonal affective disorder impacts one-tenth of the population and can be debilitating. The good news is that awareness, planning, and self-care can help you face summer with a lighter spirit. Here’s a quick list of causes for summer depression with strategies for overcoming them.

1. Expectations

Cause: Everyone around you is romping in the sun. Why aren’t you? Living up to summer expectations can be overwhelming if you aren’t naturally inclined toward fun in the sun.

Strategy: Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and identify the root cause. If expectations are weighing you down, seek help. A session with a professional psychotherapist can help you re-frame and survive summer by finding a solutions that work for you. Keep reading for specific causes for summer depression and suggestions to combat them.  Continue reading

This Little Octopus

 

Coping Skills

 

 

Reposting from March, 2016. I have this little octopus pendant that I wear and people often comment on it. I’ve been asked several times if it holds significance for me. It does.

Overcoming Trauma

My son fell out a second story window when he was three and fractured his skull. He spent six days in intensive care. He was intubated for the first three days and had a bolt drilled into his brain to monitor the bleed. It was traumatic in more ways than one, but God is good and my son emerged miraculously intact. He’s ten now and he’s bright, articulate, funny, and charming. He’s also moody. A lot of ten year old boys are­­— but he has ADHD and can be hypersensitive at times.

We were told that the impact to his frontal lobe might make him angry and impulsive. I decided to channel my anxiety over what that might mean for him into teaching him coping skills. Continue reading

Halloween and Grief

Halloween and GriefI’m re-posting a blog piece from last year because it rings true again this year. My sister-in-law’s sister asked her Facebook friends to be sensitive to those who have lost loved ones by considering how they approach their Halloween decorations. For those of you who don’t know, we lost my sister-in-law to suicide in July. I’ll admit that it has changed the tone of Halloween for us this year. My son is particularly sensitive to anything he perceives as ‘dark.’ I can only imagine how the holiday will affect the families of those who just lost their lives in the recent shooting in Oregon.

Observing Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, has its place. It can allow us to explore our fear of death in a healthy way and honor our departed. For my part, celebrating horror is not on the list of ways to process the loss of those we love.

Here is my original post……………………………………………………………………………….. Continue reading