If you suffer from a chronic illness, physical condition, or pain, you have probably heard some version of the phrase “but you don’t look sick” at one time or another. It’s frustrating and annoying to say the least. Those of us who live with a chronic health condition often find ourselves being misunderstood by others. They see us as looking normal and seem to find it hard to believe we are struggling physically.
A Lesson in Breaking Through
The markings were evident: the imprint of a bird’s body, wings spread, in flight, trying to find a way through. It happens every year at that same window. Once, I witnessed a bird hit the window, very hard, only to go back and try again. And again. It hit the window so many times, and with such force that it knocked itself out and lay there on the ground as I watched and wondered at its persistence in trying to break through a way that gave the appearance of one thing, but was not what it seemed.
Lost and Found
The button was held on by a frayed piece of thread, and I kept fiddling with that one button over and over again, reminding myself to sew it on again so it wouldn’t get lost. It was a day or so later when I realized it wasn’t there.
The Power of Gratitude: Are You Happy?
Gratitude and appreciation can be healing and increase your overall happiness. Research by psychologists recently has found that intentionally incorporating thankfulness into your life causes an improvement in mood and well-being. It’s a shift in the way you see things, and changes you from a glass half empty to a glass half full person. It sounds overly simplistic, but it really works.
Father Wounds
Father wounds come in many shapes and sizes. One of the most destructive wounds come from fathers who have walked out of their children’s lives. Often it is at an early age, but even into high school and college, when a father walks away, it creates an abyss that leaves a child grasping for the why. The love and trust of a healthy adult male is a void that continues to be the cause of much pain well into adulthood.
Mother Wounds
Each stage of development has its own struggles and concerns for a mother; somewhere along this journey into adulthood mothers have had a lot of potential to emotionally wound their children. They have spoken harsh words when a gentle answer was needed or been remiss in caring either physically or emotionally, sometimes exhausted by the tasks of mothering and their own unmet needs.
The Season of Letting Go
I have lived amongst dogwood trees for most of my adult life, but am continually astounded at the cycle of life that takes place each year. It is particularly evident in the autumn when the leaves of the dogwood begin turning a somewhat speckled reddish brown. (With over 60 varieties … Read More
Play Connects People
This is a series of blogs that Jennifer Wilmoth, LAMFT wrote after returning from a recent trip to Africa. A few reflections, a few lessons learned. Enjoy the journey. Stories from Africa: Chapter 5 Play Connects People One of the ways we wanted to equip the nurses and head … Read More
A Life in the Present
We all have friends who constantly remind us about their childhood successes: scoring the winning touchdown to win the State Championship, winning the third grade spelling bee by spelling the word “expectation”, or becoming the valedictorian of their high school or college class. These conversations always seem to come up … Read More
A Different Direction
On a recent visit near my grandparent’s farm I discovered a new road. Well, I didn’t actually discover it; technically the road is older than I am. I simply never had a reason to travel in that particular direction, so I didn’t. I ventured forth after a conversation with a … Read More