Communication, which is more than just words, is part of what ties us together. Sometimes it goes well, other times…. no so much.
This is where we’ll share the stories and experiences and try to help each other learn to communicate better.
As much as we tout the virtues of honesty, it can be a double-edged sword. Many of us remember what it is like to be on the receiving end of backlash for telling the truth- hence the phrase “Don’t kill the messenger!” 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? – Galatians…
I’m departing from the format of my previous Therapy Thursday posts. In past TT posts, I shared some of the lessons I learned in therapy sessions with my awesome (former) therapist Ken. Sessions were full of unbiased perspective, thoughtful lessons in humility, and reminders of the importance of grace- for myself and others. All those…
Today’s Therapy Thursday post is a departure from previous style posts. It doesn’t have the wisdom of Ken (my former therapist). Instead, I want to begin examining all the advice, counsel and guidance that is available to us in the world of self-help books. Did you know that over ten MILLION self-help books are purchased every…
I’m fortunate to have this amazing group of friends that stretch back into my childhood years- all the way back to Junior High. And what’s even more amazing is that we’ve all maintained our friendship over the decades (and debacles) in our lives. Our communication is sporadic. We can go weeks, months or even YEARS…
Today’s Faith Focus is about words having purpose and how we should use them. I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how people speak- to me, to others, about me, about others, to situations and about situations… The questions were simple: Are the people speaking life or death to me, my situation…
Although I had been to Dallas a scant a scant six months earlier, the labyrinth at Northaven United Methodist Church, located at 11211 Preston Rd.; Dallas, Texas was one I had not yet walked. Consequently, I was pleased to be able to walk it on this trip. In addition to this being a new labyrinth to…
Discussions about relationships dominated many of my counseling sessions. As I had explained to Ken- the failing marriage which spurred me into counseling would be my second divorce. And in both instances, I was the one exiting the relationships with no interest in attempting to repair the rifts or reconcile the marriage. I was anxious…
Ken and I had spent several sessions working on changing the paradigm in my mind about how women and men should relate to each other ~ it is not about a struggle for power- it is about resolving conflicts together. In a healthy relationship: The partners value each other Fear and cynicism do not dictate…
REBUKE: to criticize sharply, reprimand IMPRESS: to affect, especially forcibly or deeply; to gain the admiration or interest of DISCERN: to come to know or recognize (via Merriam-Webster.com); to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend (via Dictionary.com) FOOL: a person who lacks judgment or sense…
How do you introduce someone who is like a part of your very soul? For me, I do it like this: I’ve known Stephanie since our freshman year of college, and she has been one of my best friends ever since. She and I have navigated life together for over three decades, each acting as a rudder…
6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. I might be a horrible person, but I have to admit that I laughed out loud at this scripture. My friend David De Hoog (name and screenshot used with his permission) had posted on Facebook about how funny the Bible could…
I’ve been binge watching a ridiculous amount of TV lately, and none of it has been comedy shows. I recognized that one theme is overwhelmingly obvious, and it is as true in real life as it is on television: Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay The lack of honest and respectful communication is a catalyst for…
