Fear Anger Two powerful emotions. Please hear my confession: As a result of this pandemic (and a few other excuses), I (Carolyn) am battling a nearly constant low-level anger. It’s a simmering mess that appears eager to erupt at any provocation. Sometimes I win the battle; other times, I don’t. I do have a process that helps—but only if I’m …
COVID – Weird Consequences from Its Merciless Stress, Part Two: Fuel for My Weaknesses
Weird things happen to us physically, emotionally, and intellectually when we’re subject to merciless stress. Which means like now. Because the “We’re NEVER going to get past this horrific, brutal pandemic” feeling does not bring out the best in us. On the contrary, you can count on just about every negative in your life showing up somewhere. Somehow. Eventually! This newsletter, …
COVID: Tired…Stressed…Lessed
Lessed? you’re wondering. We’ve invented a new word, courtesy of the many “benefits” of the COVID pandemic. Lessed: A state of being in which one who’s survived 2020-21 is so tired, weary, and stressed out that he/she often loses the ability to recall complex words (i.e., book, car, table, etc.); focus for a time period longer than a microsecond (that’s one-millionth of a …
COVID: I Feel Out of Control; Therefore, I Take Control (At Least, I Think I Am)
It was the icky used tissues right next to his waste can that started it. For a man who used to play basketball, he couldn’t open the cupboard and toss tissues into the trash right there? Less than an inch away? So I told him I resented that. I would choose to believe it wasn’t a statement about me and my worth and confuse the …
COVID: Deep Breath. Now How Do I Restore My Soul?
It was WAR Maybe you haven’t thought of COVID in these terms, but honestly. We truly have survived a war. It was not just a war against a powerful virus, but a war attempting to destroy our overall health – spiritual, physical, mental, emotional. Yes, it can indeed be classified as war. The similarities? We faced a very real enemy that could …
Hope
We had another newsletter all set to go—and I like that feeling. The pressure’s off, we’ve both edited and checked, and I can schedule the newsletter to land in your inboxes on Thursday morning. Done. And then this polar vortex surged south, plunging nearly the entire U.S. into a massive cold front with snow or ice. How to turn up the …
Stacks
Many years ago, Craig and I were privileged to host a well-known leader/speaker for dinner. We’d looked up to him for years, so we were excited to get to know him better. We’d been communicating on a more superficial level when our guest began sharing about good friends of his, a couple he and his …
New Year, Same Issues, New Help
Greetings! Craig and I hope you had a joy-filled, restful and COVID-free holiday season. We tried to be pro-active in our efforts to rest body, mind, and soul, and the picture above shows the three of us—Frisco’s nose is barely visible, as he is never cooperative for picture-taking—enjoying a day of snowshoeing. On that day, Mt. Hood offered an especially sunny, …
Merry Christmas …from our home to yours!
Though Craig and I are taking a break, we thought you might like a challenge – a mental test for your family, friends, or just you two as a couple.How well do you know our familiar Christmas carols and expressions?! Translate these well-known Christmas songs or sayings into “plain English”! 1.Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief …
In-Laws? or Out-Laws? Part One
Honey, guess what? My parents are coming! A series Craig and I’ve been enjoying has a middle-aged couple with four kids….the assumed chaos and issues that come with a “normal” household….but overall, a generally healthy marriage. Until the wife’s mother comes to visit. The husband quips to his friend: “It’s a disaster at home. Even the mice are throwing themselves on the traps!” In-laws! …