You cannot step into the same river twice. Heraclitus [Philosopher 544 BC – 483 BC] Parenting teenagers forces us to operate in unknown territory. I have found it to be complex and ever changing. It is not intuitive and what works in one situation or kid, doesn’t work in another. Parenting forces us to be...Read More

Instead of heading for a big mental breakdown, I decided to have a small breakdown every Tuesday evening. ― Graham Parke, author Symptoms can be an astonishing way for our bodies to get our full attention and bypass our minds.  Projectile vomiting announces food poisoning, severe abdominal pain can proclaim appendicitis.  Other signs are less...Read More

We are willing to pursue any vile task as long as it allows us to avoid something worse. Piers Steel, author The Procrastination Equation   When we put off that which is most important to us, the first remedy is to study our own reluctance.  Yet if we approach all projects without delay, we may...Read More

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by.  And that has made all the difference.                             Robert Frost 1874-1963 Recently, a man in my community was struck with pancreatic cancer. He fought it mightily and then...Read More

The only way to reduce ugliness in the world is to reduce it in yourself -Bayard Rustin A few years ago I decided to challenge myself and complete a 100-mile bike ride. I had been training for months, outfitted on a new bike with a computer that tracks speed and mileage.  On the day of...Read More

In a scientific dialogue amongst social scientists and the Dalai Lama, published under the title Destructive Emotions the notion of American compassion was raised. It was explained that in the U.S., many people have great compassion for others, yet suffer greatly with low self-worth and self-contempt. Our American understanding of compassion applies only to others...Read More