“Go in the direction of where your peace is coming from.” ― C. JoyBell C.
By Esther Vanderwal and Mitzie Beavert Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.Sir Walter Scott, 1808 I have worked with parents who find their children deceiving them and with their children. Lying, is a developmental milestone for children but it still catches parents off guard. In fact, they begin… Continue reading Tangled Webs
Introduction: In our daily interactions with others, have you ever stopped to consider the true intent behind your words and questions? Most of the time, we communicate with the hope of eliciting a specific reaction or response. However, there are moments when we may not be consciously aware of our intentions, yet they still drive… Continue reading The Power of Intentional Communication: Shaping Your Conversations
In our fast-paced lives, we often find ourselves swept away by daily routines and responsibilities, leaving little time for reflection and conscious living. As clinicians, we frequently advocate for mindfulness to reduce anxiety and create inner peace. But what if we applied this same principle of mindfulness to our marriages? This concept, which I've come… Continue reading Consciously Married: Nurturing Your Relationship Mindfully
Today I am reflecting on a bench my children gave me for Mother's Day 10 years ago. I set it up at home to encourage me to reflect on my mother's memories. I often encourage my clients to create a spot that supports their grief and allows it to come. The bench is my spot.… Continue reading The Bench
Photo by Moose Photos on Pexels.com I am sure you have heard that phrase before. The meaning is that when you look back on things (in hindsight), you can see events clearly and understand them, but at that moment, you don’t have the same clarity. So, would you change your life if you had the… Continue reading Hindsight 20/20
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com I remember hearing the sounds in the middle of the night. It sounded like fighting. I knew I should stay in bed, but I got up to go see what was going on. I was about 6 years old. I had long black hair and I was in a… Continue reading Trauma and It’s After Affects
Did you know that every superhero has a backstory written for them, and these stories often include a traumatic event or experience? Some heroes and heroines are imbued with superpowers as a result of these incidents. Events that are life-threatening, or perceived to be so, and experiences that are disturbing and result in significant levels… Continue reading Are you a Super Hero?
Suicide Recently the news has reported several young top athletes have suicided and then of course most recently, Naomi Judd. It’s astonishing and hard for others to understand why someone with so much going right for them, chose to end their life. We see someone who is excelling in so many arenas and wonder why… Continue reading Suicide
Today I want to write about socializing. I have spoken to a few clients about how important it is to be social as a human being. I often share with students and clients that you can diaper and care for a baby’s biological needs, but an infant will still die due to lack of socialization. … Continue reading Socializing for Health
By now, if you have read any of my previous blogs, you know that I came from a very poor farm family in Texas with many siblings and that I am Hispanic. I have tried to paint a picture of myself through words and allow you to see my life through a different lens. Today… Continue reading Our 5th Anniversary
Today, I found a journal that I had written in when I was a young mother. We were moving from Hawaii, my daughter was only three years old, and my son was still an infant. What a wonderful memory it brought up! The feelings came over me just like it was that very day. I… Continue reading Journaling a Legacy