Life

I heard that death makes us more reflective. I know this to be true. My mother passed away last month. I seem to be thinking about life differently. What’s really important? What do I want to accomplish? What’s the big picture?  Author Norman Cousins said, “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest…

After You

I was invited to participate in ” A National Night Against Violence. “The event took place at a city park. A city that is not known for its clean streets, nice people or peaceful ways.  I sat on a bench in the shade waiting for my turn to speak. As I looked around I was…

The Why

I read, “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl in grad school, about 25 years ago. I re-read it this week. This powerful book was written in 1946. Frankl wrote about his experience, as an inmate in an Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. The book does not focus on the details of the…

Good To Great

I am currently reading the book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. It’s a book about how good companies, transition to great companies. I’m not recommending you read it. I’m asking, if you are settling for good enough, some where in your life? The concepts can easily be applied to all goals…including fitness goals.  Discipline…

When It’s Not Fun Anymore

I am blogging this from the elliptical machine at Foxwoods. One of the biggest casinos in the world. The land of excess.  Interesting people watching here. There are groups of bachelorettes whooping it up, elderly people cramming hundreds into slot machines and others walking around looking dismayed.  When people plan to go to a casino,…

Not Today

I attended an all day conference on addiction yesterday. I would say it was one of the best conferences I have ever been to. The speaker was a doctor and he talked about how addictive behaviors impact the brain. It was fascinating and frightening. The most powerful part of the day, was when the doctor…

Slightly Better

I woke up in a bad mood yesterday. This is unusual for me. I typically wake up excited to start my day. I knew my pissy disposition was a result of current stressors. I was on overload. In the moment, I wasn’t sure how to improve my state of mind. I just felt cranky. Part…

Are You Feeling It?

When do you experience true enthusiasm? Do you wake up excited about what the new day will bring? What do you really really really want? It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we are in the mood. On the flip side, simple tasks can feel like a huge struggle if we are not into it….

Trying To Beat The System

Losing weight takes dedication, focus and honesty. I know I am over simplifying. Yet I also think we tend to overthink the process. We can all come up with reasons/excuse why we can’t fit into our pants. We know what it takes to get to where we want to be. We just don’t do it….

Practice Practice Practice

I have facilitated hundreds of trainings, workshops and conferences. I still remember my first presentation. I didn’t prepare and it lasted 3 seconds. The feeling impacted me forever. What you think public speaking is like and what it’s actually like, are totally different.  Some say I’m a natural. I’m glad it looks that way. However,…

Not Me

  I was at a meeting recently with a substance abuse expert. Even though I am a therapist, my knowledge around substance use, misuse and prevention is limited. Everyone at the table rattled off questions to the specialist. We spent time discussing the contributing factors to why some kids try drugs and why some don’t….

All Is Well

Where’s your focus? Do you spend more energy thinking about what could go wrong or on what is going well? I believe in planning for the future. We need to be prepared. We don’t need to worry about every detail that could potentially go wrong.  There is a balance between thinking things through and obsessing….