I recently rediscovered a curious animal behavior that evoked a delightful sense of awe and wonder. As I watched a very brief video of starlings flying, my eyes opened wider. I experienced goosebumps! To be clear, I was neither fearful or chilly. In fact, I felt silly. I grinned and gasped with delight. I felt […]
Maybe Miracles Do Happen? If people can maintain coherence and avoid terrible detox symptoms, they might be able to hold hope long enough for a miracle to occur. I’ve seen the bumper sticker that says “Expect a Miracle.” Some days I might scoff at such unreasonable hope. Some days I might wish that expecting a
Fierce and Frail – Part Two Read More »
My name is Marion. I have been a lifelong smoker on and off. I’ve had years at a time of abstinence, but always, eventually, go back to smoking. Each time it gets harder to quit and easier to start again. After 5 years of not smoking someone left an unlit cigarette on a table at
My yard and gardens have been a source of great joy and peace during the past several months. Clinical evidence shows that time spent in nature can reduce stress. And even while my gardens are cultivated, planned, and planted for the most part, they are surely driven by forces of nature. Some of those forces
Ambassadors of Change Read More »
Behavior Scientist, researcher, author (and genuinely great guy) BJ Fogg, PhD has made a truly powerful library of Tiny Habit trainings available for free! Taught by BJ Fogg and his trained Habiteers, these brief, accessible videos to help us all learn tiny habits that can help us live better lives (even in the midst of
Tiny Habits Expert Library Read More »
For as long as people understood that smoking tobacco was harmful, there has been an interest in a safe (or safer) cigarette. Interestingly, in the winter of 1886 Vincent Van Gogh painted “Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette.” So maybe he already knew smoking was dangerous. Funny how so many people thought he
Natural(?) American Spirit Read More »
When we’re have a flat tire we usually do two things. First we remove the defective tire, but none of us would think of hopping into the driver’s seat and driving away at that point. No, there’s another essential step; put on a good tire! I realize that may sound painfully obvious to you, but
Head Hands Heart Habits Read More »
We have long said and heard things like, “Depression runs in my family,” or, “On Dad’s side there were lots of drinkers.” So I think it’s safe to say that on some level we knew there could be an inter-generational connection when it comes to mental health and addiction. Over the past several years there
Trauma: Sobering and Hopeful News Read More »
Hey! For any Massachusetts menthol smokers, here’s your chance to get $50 and up to 8 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy. Quitting smoking just became an even better deal!
Massachusetts Menthol Smokers! Read More »
As soon as “I” join another and become a “We” Illness becomes Wellness! It’s really true – sometimes the difference between illness and wellness is just connecting with another “I.” Sometimes a whole room full of I’s can become a tremendously powerful We! There is something not quite mathematical about the power or joining with
Illness vs Wellness Read More »
I spoke with a fellow recently and he told me a story that I found to be helpful. I decided to share it here. He said that there’s a person who calls him on the phone and they both go outdoors and take a walk “together.” In actuality they don’t even live in the same
Never Fail It is said that Thomas Edison said – “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” I love that quote and the determination it demonstrates. But to be honest, if the universe decided that I was supposed to invent the electric light bulb, we might be sitting here, reading
Plan to Play! Do we stop playing when we grow old or do we grow old when we stop playing? You’ve probably heard the question before, and maybe even smirked while thinking about it. But if you know that you need some more ‘play’ in your life, what are you doing about it? What are
Snow and Slow “Snow is like kindness – it beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahlil Gibran Let us take a cue from nature today and slow things down a bit. Isn’t that what nature seems to say when snowstorms come? And to take a cue from Gibran, let us look for opportunities to show kindness
Henry Ford is said to have said, “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” The fact that such a successful person said it AND my personal experience both lead me to believe that statement is true. It implies or perhaps states outright that what we ‘think’ either is true
