Tools
Everyone wants to know how to build a good life. The good news is you already have all of the tools required. These posts are a reminder, a wake up, and a bit of a new take.
The Tools in the Good Life Tool Box: An Introduction
Almost everyone coming into therapy says, “I want to learn better communication tools!”
But what exactly are these tools? What tools do good communicators have in their tool boxes? What tools help us face rage, addiction, depression or other forms of sorrow?
Featured Post
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.
Tool #11: The Parka of Feeling Wisely
When we feel wisely, big emotions don’t make us their lunch.
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)
Swap out guilt with action and a lot of gratitude.
Using the Toolbox: When I’m Criticized Online
A key part of my process of dealing with struggles, all struggles, is to nurture my connection with others. To care for others. To allow others to care for me.
Tool #1: The Cradle of Compassion, Pt. 1
Compassion, like a Cradle is portable, always warm, and fits right around us when we are feeling frail, weak, and small.
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 # 3: The Bird Feeder of Grace
Grace. It is rather difficult to talk about Grace as a thing, a tool. Particularly as there is nothing transactional about Grace, and you can't earn it or become undeserving of it. Grace what we exhibit when we choose to give others (or ourselves) the benefit of the...
Tool #4: The License Plate of Responsibility, pt. 1
What is a license plate but a tool for telling the world "Here I am. I'm covered. I'll do my best, and if something goes south, I'm accountable". This relates to our emotional, spiritual, and psychological worlds, too: We all carry ourselves a bit better when it's...
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.
Tool # 6: The Combination Lock of Humility
The Combination to Humility: Accept, Reflect, Own. This will unlock you from defensiveness.
Tool #7: The Pool Cue of Cause and Effect
This post is about cause and effect and how important it is that we take responsibility for our role in events. It's about setting forth with good will in our hearts even in crummy situations. Three and a half decades ago, on a Sunday morning, sitting beside my...
Tool #8: The Back Pocket of Knowledge
Having knowledge helps us know where we are, where we’re going, and gives our life meaning (even when we’re sad). Besides, in knowledge are solutions for bad driving, losing things, and anxiousness in the wee hours of the morning.
Tool #8 Part 2: The Back Pocket of Knowledge, Night Time Edition
It is easier for some people – including me – to worry than not to worry. The good news is, even if you have been a worrier, you can get some of the power back by recognizing that you are worrying and pivoting your thoughts to ready-made things you are interested in.
The Tools in the Good Life Tool Box: An Introduction
Almost everyone coming into therapy says, “I want to learn better communication tools!”
But what exactly are these tools? What tools do good communicators have in their tool boxes? What tools help us face rage, addiction, depression or other forms of sorrow?