The cover of a book is crucial from both the personal and public sides. Personally, it’s so grounding if it feels like a fit. And, from the outside, we hope to represent the story or at least pique the curiosity of the potential reader. A picture really is worth even more than 1,000 words.

Meeting Dr. Dacre Knight on social media was one of the catalysts for creating this podcast series, “Voices in the Pandemic.” My hope was that more people could meet him and people like him to learn about their work and lives during this extraordinary time. His voice may not be the loudest or with messages designed as “clickbait.” Still, it's an important one for more people to hear about — sharing science as well as our human stories.

Yesterday, it was hard to cancel my in-person coaching and therapy appointments. The global public health pandemic instructions are that we do not travel unless necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For me, there is almost nothing like sitting across from someone. The risk of my clients traveling on public transportation or even in cabs was disconcerting so canceling the in-person was the only option.

Eye contact is powerful. It reminded me of another group I attended a while ago. People didn’t look much at others unless it was to exchange glances about someone else (eye-roll type thing). I always felt awful after attending it. After New Year’s Eve, I better understand why.

A health commitment doesn’t have to be hard. That little walk on a day when you’d rather stay inside can reveal a wonderland you’d never want to miss.

Lisa is involved again this year with the exciting One Earth Film Festival which exposes thousands of people to new ideas on our health and relationship to Mother Earth. I asked her to write up a couple blogs on her favorite films featured in the Festival so you can consider them. Check into these, join in and enjoy a community of kindred spirits.

So my niece went crazy at the Dollar Store and TJ Maxx.

The project was to get things for a wellness package to distribute to homeless people over Thanksgiving weekend. 

She had done some research on what those living in the streets need most and it was socks and, believe it or not, foot fungus cream. Anyone in the world would feel better in the socks she got.

We got to Macy’s with hopes of touring their magical holiday windows when we were approached by a homeless man asking for money.  Vivienne was surprised to have someone talk to us that we didn’t know. When we declined to contribute, she stood still. The crowd was thick and pushing to see the enchanting story land thru the State Street Macy’s windows. She just stood still and looked up at us.

Many people take vacations, love them, but then after returning home, they feel like they are back in the same grind counting down till they can leave again.  Here are a few simple suggestions to get the most out of your vacation.

Recently, I had the choice of flying from Chicago to a conference in Minneapolis or driving with a group of cohorts for the 6-hour trip. In the end, I decided in favor of banter and bonding. My husband was baffled, but it sounded like fun to me as it would give my colleagues and me the opportunity to talk, not talk and just be together driving thru the country.

As the Gauguin exhibit winds up a successful run at The Art Institute of Chicago, what can we learn from Gauguin's life and work that could inspire our own lives?

Last week I felt like I hadn't had enough vacation time even though I was just returning from the long holiday break. The fact that it was consistently less than 10 degrees outside certainly was a factor but another was my deep sense of fatigue. My spirits picked up some once in the office. Lots of self-care over time helped too – yoga, Zumba and sleep -- but I still felt tired. 

Looking for refuge after a busy, somewhat chaotic pre-holiday season, I latched onto this book I've been wanting to read titled "Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation" by Sharon Salzberg. Here is one of my favorite parts so far:

I love reading before I go to sleep and while traveling on a plane or train. These books are keeping my attention and are honestly pretty inspiring.

Do you ever just feel like you visited too much, ate too much, spent too much money on a vacation and didn’t have a chance to truly recharge yourself?

This is the year of my mother’s passing.

I ask myself, from my training as a psychotherapist and coach and from my humble and flawed background as a daughter and sister, having made all possible mistakes, what I can share that might make life less difficult for you? Here are my lessons learned, so far: