Escaping a Toxic Relationship

They seem charming at first, taking interest in everything about you. They’re thoughtful and considerate and do all the right things to draw you in. They are the perfect partner or friend. You talk, laugh and share everything about your life with them. Then you start to notice things don’t quite add up. Conflict becomesContinue reading “Escaping a Toxic Relationship”

Beyond Adversity: Building Resilience for a Healthy Mind and Body

“That which does not kill me makes me stronger. “ It’s a fact of life that, at some point, we will all encounter adversity and loss that will challenge our opinion of ourselves and our faith in the future. When that happens, the question we ask is “why do some people seem to overcome thoseContinue reading “Beyond Adversity: Building Resilience for a Healthy Mind and Body”

Why Boundaries are Important and How to Set Healthy Ones

Annette* came to me feeling stressed, anxious and was having difficulty sleeping. There had been downsizing at her job and she was taking on additional work, staying over-time and bringing projects home on the weekends to get caught up. When I asked if she had spoken to her supervisor to see if the workload couldContinue reading “Why Boundaries are Important and How to Set Healthy Ones”

Breaking the Silence: How to Talk About Mental Health

 “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say, ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say, ‘My heart is broken.’  C.S. LEWIS Breaking the Silence: How to Talk About MentalContinue reading “Breaking the Silence: How to Talk About Mental Health”

New Beginnings

What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation. Glenn Close New Beginnings Every September when the air turns crisp, my mind turns to change and growth. A leftover from my years in school, fall is the beginning of a new year – new classes, new friends, new goals. This yearContinue reading “New Beginnings”

From Victim to Victor – Overcoming Victim Mentality

I was bullied as a child in school. When I complained to my mother, she would smile and sing me the worm song. You know the one – “nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna eat some worms.” It didn’t help the matter. I had fallen into a victim mentality and was feeling sorryContinue reading “From Victim to Victor – Overcoming Victim Mentality”

Building the Cornerstones of Character

The truth of your character is determined by the choice of our actions. Unknown In April of 1980, a young man, unknown to anyone but his family and friends, began a remakable journey that’s touched the hearts and minds of generations throughout the world. Terry Fox was an ordinary eighteen-year-old when he was diagnosed withContinue reading “Building the Cornerstones of Character”

Embracing Your Potential

Recently, while wading through old papers, I came across a high school report card that caught my attention. It wasn’t the marks but the comments that made me pause. “Jeanne can raise this mark with a little more effort.” “A little extra work would bring a much highter mark. Potential is higher, I feel.” “JeanneContinue reading “Embracing Your Potential”

Perception Vs. Reality

How to Challenge Your Perception to Create a Better Experience Take a look at the photo on the left. What do you see? You’ve probably heard the expression “perception is reality”. Every moment of every day we receive and interpret information about the world around us. As we grow and encounter new experiences, we formContinue reading “Perception Vs. Reality”

Beware the Ides of March

Beware the Ides of March . . . (Or How to Deal with Jealousy on the Way to Success) You may be familiar with the story of Julius Caesar, the Roman consul and general made famous by Shakespeare. Benevolent and well-loved, he’s murdered by his jealous friends and compatriots who fear his power and theContinue reading “Beware the Ides of March”