Yesterday evening in the sliver of time between finishing computer work and starting dinner, I read a chat post from Suleika Jaouad. If you do not know who she is then I would recommend checking out her books, art, and more, Suleika Jaouad . The...
Spaghetti on the Wall
As a therapist, I have done tons of training in human development. Kristan stands out for her genuine empathy and interest in all that makes you who you are. Above all, she is witty, just laugh out loud funny. She lights up the room.
I have used her Spaghetti On the Wall workbook with clients and they say the reflections slow them down, turn inward and think differently about themselves and their relationships. The workbook is effective and to the point. I can’t wait for her next one.
Jeannie P, AMFT and APCC
Lessons learned before their time
Another trip to Michigan, this time, things were serious. My then husband’s elderly mom Diane had fallen and injured her head. We arrived just in time to visit with her. She had regained consciousness after surgery to relieve the pressure. Sue,...
First Impressions
Not long ago, we hosted a couple to celebrate their recent engagement. My husband had known the woman for several years, and we were getting to know her fiancé better. As dessert was being served, the fiancé mentioned to my husband that they had...
Anticipation or Future Tripping?
Our family enjoys taking multigenerational trips. The ingredients for a successful family trip are an exciting location, a fairly structured schedule, and lots of planning. We might plan more than a year in advance depending on the location, at the...
No need to reinvent
Pasadena is one of those places that is a large, small town. Live here long enough, and you run into people you know at the post office, grocery store, and the like. A few days ago, I ran into a woman at Trader Joe’s. We met when we were both in...
Eating Outside
One of my favorite birthday celebrations involved driving up Angeles Crest, pulling off at one of the trailheads, and then having a cookout near the stream. I am sure we had hot dogs which I don’t really like. Hopefully, we had S’mores which I...
Standing Still-Spaghetti on the Wall’s Origin Story
Following a visit with a client where we attended her favorite yoga class, I decided to sign up at my local yoga studio for a series of classes. Yoga is one of those things that has always seemed like a good idea until I am actually doing it....
Fear & Attachment
The important adults in my life as I was growing up, primarily operated out of fear. A deeply ingrained way of being that appeared to be normal and as such, was never challenged. I inherited this set of beliefs and behaviors. One divorce and in the...
The Squishy In-Betweens
The squishy in-betweens is what I call those times after you have made a choice, you know what you want to do, and you have identified the desired outcome. Now you have the squishy in-betweens. The time when you actually have to get to work on the...