Thoughts & Observations

Welcome to the blog, a chance for me to share in small doses (but don’t hold me to that!) thoughts that I hope are largely amusing, potentially poignant, on occasion insightful and rarely blah.


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The Puppy Parable

Why can’t we learn from our puppies how to all get along? Seems too simple, right?

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34 Counts for Truth

The guilty verdict against Donald Trump and the fallout shows just how far some will go to destroy foundations of our country.

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Trauma and a Movie

The movie A Bronx Tale on its surface is about a young man balancing wisdom between two very different father figures. Underneath are the elements of trauma.

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Puppy Love

There’s nothing like a puppy to turn your world upside down crazy but still provice an electrifying jolt of energy into a household.

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I Did a Thing

Even if you don’t look or act it, life comes up sometimes to smack you in the face with your age.

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Back to Change

Sometimes, change hits when you’re not expecting it. Sometimes you make it happen yourself. Either can still have positive outcomes. I was fortunate to be the initator of a recent change in my life. Part of my occasional “change series” blog post.

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Writing Space

Having a place to write is important; having head space is more important.

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Big T, little t

Traumas in our lives can be of the “Big T” or “little t” variety. Both cause emotional duress. It’s important to recognize and deal with them.

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The Catharsis of Writing

When you experience anxiety symptoms—a pain in gut, tightness in the chest, a splitting headache—trying to understand what just happened is important. Journaling is a tool that can help.

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Escaping From a Cult

Change comes in many forms. For Lisa Williams, it was breaking free from a cult that dominated her adolescence and a family tied to a church culture she didn’t believe in.

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The Mystery of Change

How do you know when it’s time for a change? Sometimes you can dial in to signals. Other times you have to use your gut instinct.

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The Struggle to Know

Pet owners recognize the toughest decision there is: when to say goodbye. Sharing about how my wife and I came to decide about our beloved Nilla.

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Christmukkah!

Interfaith households can pose a holiday season challenge, but also provide the opportunity to be curious and grow as individuals and couples.

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A Novel Update

Writing and publishing a novel is hard and tedious work. And sometimes takes longer for unexpected reasons. An update on the publication process for Unwrapping.

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The Bifocals Dilemma

I first learned I needed glasses when I was in sixth grade. I didn’t start wearing them until college. Why? The bifocal dilemma.

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Talking Turkey

The first time my wife, Terrie, and I both knew our relationship was serious? It had to do with Thanksgiving turkey. A holiday tale.

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Office Decor

Some counselors keep their lives to themselves. Me? I like to share little tidbits of who I am—especially in decorating my office and especially when they create conversation that helps the therapeutic relationship.

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