Blog
All the writing that isn’t the Tools
Are You Un-Communicating Too Much?
Beware of Un-Communication! Remember when NuBurger first opened in Winnipeg, but their original name was "UnBurger"? Boy was that confusing, because they were still selling hamburgers, not "un-burgers" (what is an unburger? A hotdog? A veggie burger? Sushi?). So they...
Tool #10: The Pie Chart of Balanced Communication (pt. 1)
Balanced communication makes room for what keeps us alive (“Buy groceries”) as well as all the things that make us human.
Tool # 9: The Alarm Clock of Guilt: Let it Wake You Up (so you can turn it off)
Note: This piece was originally called "Guilt is an Alarm Clock". I've changed the title and added it to The Good Life Tool Box. Do I feel weird putting Guilt in the tool box with things like Compassion, Resilience, and Grace? Absolutely! But then I remind myself of...
Using the Toolbox: When I’m Criticized Online
Negative reviews by anonymous people are tough, scary even, and I’ll admit that if someone is trying to hurt me: it hurts at first. This post is about the steps I take to empathize with and to learn from negative reviews, so I can be a better therapist to the many who find the process fruitful.
Draw for “The Tools” Webpage! (or get your kids to on a rainy afternoon)
Hey Artists and Makers, Do you like to draw or paint? Do you have an image in your head of "The Bird Feeder of Grace"? Or "The Back Pocket of Knowledge"? How about "The Cradle of Compassion"? If so - or if you think others you know might -...
The Cradle of Compassion Pt. 2
Compassion is like holding a baby. You don’t always need to feel compassionate, but nothing feels as good as holding a baby when we know we don’t always need to hold the baby!
Tool # 2: The Pipe Cleaner of Creativity
Creating can be a lot cheaper than consuming. And always more fulfilling.
Tool #5: The Kleenex Wad of Resilience
Resiliance is not just taking the blow, but healing from it. And getting stronger because of it. Any athlete whose mom has shoved a wad of kleenex up her nose to stop a nose bleed in the middle of the game, knows this. The message: Avoid harm but keep a Kleenex ready, just-in-case.
The Serenity Prayer Challenge: Writings of Acceptance, Courage, & Discernment
The Challenge: To gather more writings that speak to Acceptance, Courage, and Discernment. I've been working on an essay called The Subtle Art Of Caring A Lot. I envision it as a not at all tongue -in-cheek (1) post about the difference between caring and panicking;...