I haven't very often met a problem in life I couldn't solve. I have moments of bewilderment, of course, but I generally am able to figure out what's not working and how to fix it. At times the fix is so difficult I delay, avoid, deny and procrastinate until I'm forced to take the action Allowing questions to remain unanswered and problems to remain unsolved; the value in no immediate fix| Harvesting Stones
I've been thinking about loyalty recently. Loyalty is one of my bigger rabbit holes. I most often use the term when I'm beating myself up. A nasty little internal voice frequently hisses "Disloyal!" in my ear. This happens so constantly, in fact, that I'm bored. I've decided to unpack the concept of loyalty, spread it What does loyalty really mean? How does it look?| Harvesting Stones
Last week’s post was inspired by the work of R.D. Laing in his book, Knots. The first page of this book gave me so much to think about I worked with it for several days before reading all the way to page 3: “It is our duty to bring up our children to love, honour Recognizing bad logic and discussing duty in the context of parent/child relationships| Harvesting Stones
Oxford Online Dictionary lists several meanings for integrity: “The quality of being honest …, the state of being whole and undivided, the condition of being unified …, internal consistency.” Integrity is an important piece of emotional intelligence. Like success, integrity is a quality we define for ourselves. If we don’t do so, the world is Exploring integrity: what does it mean, and what's included in it? How do we develop our own standards of integrity?| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentSchool violence and school reunions; memories of high school| Harvesting Stones
All right. I’m thoroughly exasperated by this “I refuse to live in fear” bullshit. Here’s an open letter to all those wannabe heroes out there. Fear is defined as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.” (Oxford Online Dictionary) The ability to Fear is an evolutionary advantage and helps keep us alive| Harvesting Stones
I’ve known for a long time I don’t manage my empathy very satisfactorily. Several years ago, I found a couple of books by Rose Rosetree (here’s my first wince, because my own last name is Rose; too many roses!), Empowered by Empathy and Become the Most Important Person in the Room. (Here’s my second wince: Managing empathy and its connection to hurrying| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentExploring the benefits of boredom| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentThe power of resistance and persistence. Recognizing different aspects of resistance.| Harvesting Stones
I’ve been listening to a Sounds True production of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes talk about Seeing in the Dark. I’ve listened to it before, but not for some years, and not since I developed a daily practice of sitting and breathing. She suggests that a practice, whether it be meditation, prayer, or whatever else, is Becoming friendly with our most intense feelings; allowing ourselves the fullness of experience| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentExploring the traumatic response of fawning, why we do it and how to develop better strategies to feel safe and loved.| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentWhat is gaslighting and what does it look like?| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentThinking about labels and the experience and feeling behind them| Harvesting Stones
I’ve noticed the terms “introvert” and “extrovert” popping up frequently in conversations lately. As a lifelong introvert, I also notice a lot of misunderstanding about what the term means. I start, as you knew I would, with definitions. However, it happens I disagree with the online Oxford Dictionary definition of introvert, which is “a shy, What is it like to be an introvert? Do introverts need to be fixed?| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentExploring the power of forgiveness| Harvesting Stones
I recently came across an article in my newsfeed describing several ways in which parents can help kids develop mental strength.| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentExploring the value and practice of letting go| Harvesting Stones
I’d love to be one of those serene, appropriately disciplined (as opposed to compulsive or utterly feckless) people who achieve an effective, useful, consistent morning routine. I’m not. Even during what I think of as “normal” times when my life was structured predictably by work and other obligations and activities, my morning schedule varied. Now, Stillness as An antidote to speeding and anxiety| Harvesting Stones
Challenging the limitations and distortions of personal stories| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentExploring the complexity of communication| Harvesting Stones
One of my favorite things about life is that changing one subtle thread in the pattern of our behavior and identity can change the whole picture in unexpected but beautiful ways. The overculture promises such a transformation if we buy the right product, but that’s a hollow promise. If we really want change, we have Being over-responsible for others versus being under-responsible for ourselves; learning to switch our unhealthy patterns around responsibility| Harvesting Stones
This post has been simmering in the back of my mind for some while. I’ve taken my time approaching it because it seems to be something of a landmine for some people. In simplest terms, to be grateful is to be thankful. It’s easy to be thankful for the things we enjoy and that make The healing power of gratitude for the good, the bad, and the ugly| Harvesting Stones
Is emotional intelligence training for you? Reasons not to do it.| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentDealing with the terrible burden of shame| Harvesting Stones