I told a rather light-hearted tale on my personal blog this morning. A brief glimpse into what I remember as a rather courageous act for someone who was not often willing to stand up, or stand out. I remember it mostly as a first glimpse into what being bold and brave might feel like. At … More Defeating Trauma With Courage
The other night after dinner, my four-year-old son, Mr D, wanted to set up a lemonade stand. It was on a weeknight after a full day for both my kids and for me and as I sat there listening to his request, I felt the solidness of the seat underneath me. I also had a … More Department of Low Energy
Fair warning- this is a rather meandering post today, more thoughts than an actual point, but it seems appropriate for the rainy day I see outside my window. Just some simple musing on our topic of curiosity so I hope you will add your thoughts in the comments. Curiosity is… Curiosity is a gift that … More Curiosity and Change Over the Lifespan
Hello there, September! This month here at Heart of the Matter we’re focusing on curiosity and learning. I love the concept of lifelong learning and acquiring new skills by being open and curious about the world. Try as I might, in most instances of “new learning” I’m also laughing at my own misadventures. I have … More Love, Curiosity & Learning
There’s an interesting aspect I’ve discovered in starting a new job at 54 years old. It relates to Arthur Brook’s book From Strength to Strength where he talks about fluid intelligence of youth versus crystallized intelligence of age 50 and beyond. This is the first job in which I walk into this role of leader … More Going With My Gut
When I was in elementary school, I got an invite for a friend’s birthday party. I should have been excited about the invite, and I was, but I was nervous too. The party was going to be a sleepover. I remember worrying that my friends would figure out my deep, dark secret. I was scared … More Scared of the dark
I am going to a darker, maudlin, more personal place today which is incongruous when our theme this month is focused on happiness and joy. I know that many will say that true happiness, even joy, comes from making others happy, from giving selflessly to ensure they are creating joy in another person’s life. For … More Reclaiming Myself
Joy by Hilda Conkling Joy is not a thing you can see. It is what you feel when you watch waves breaking, Or when you peer through a net of woven violet stems In Spring grass. It is not sunlight, not moonlight, But a separate shining. Joy lives behind people’s eyes. There’s been all sorts … More Reflections on Joy
Of all the trouble that I have these days, I wonder how much of it is borrowed. Here’s why I ask. I’m starting a new job tomorrow. It doesn’t feel like an entirely new job because I’ve worked with these folks for the last 6 months as an independent contractor. But then they handed me … More Borrowing Trouble
I need to be real here. Our topic of self-care this month is a tough one for me. There are the standard categories that define self-care and all are widely published online. If you are a list person, and like clear definitions blogger Erin was kind enough to write The Seven Pillars of Self Care … More Knowing, and Loving Oneself is the Ultimate Form of Self-Care
The Heart of the Matter 