Illness as Initiation
In approaching illness, and healing from illness, one of our first thoughts is often, “how can I make this go away?” Illness can motivate us to make changes to relieve the discomfort, the strain, the lack of ease (dis-ease) that we are experiencing. However, in our effort to heal, there are more powerful questions we can ask. One of them is, “what wishes to be born from this?” Another way of asking this could be, “what can I learn from this.” There is always something we can learn. It could be a simple...
read moreFinite and Infinite Games
This is the title of a fabulous little book by James P. Carse, written almost 20 years ago, that I just found again in my basement. I can still remember the excitement I felt reading it for the first time in my early 20’s. What a vision of possibility it opened. What an playful invitation! “A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility.” I highly recommend it. It is not a long book. It does demands a certain kind of attention, but it also leads you along playfully. James Carse constructs a logical argument/discussion that at...
read moreImagination, part 1
One of the most powerful tools we have for personal growth and healing is our imagination. We all know that imagination can be a form of play and fun, and that it also spurs the creation of art, entertainment, inventions and new ideas. These are all grand uses of imagination, and have many life affirming aspects in their own right. For the purpose of this discussion, however, I will focus on how imagination can be used specifically for physical and emotional healing, to bolster self-confidence, to manifest needs or desires, to ease stress,...
read moreCrisis Text Line
I just came across a really interesting article in the New York Times. It describes how crisis hotlines have started to adopt texting abilities. It turns out that, especially with teenagers, texting can be a very effective way to get help. In some situations it may even be more effective than a phone call. The non-profit group Crisis Text Line has been developing this technology for two years now. Much of the development has been around how to counsel others effectively through text. One of their main goals is to help people connect with...
read moreWho makes you laugh?
I had a great discussion yesterday about humor. We all know what a great feeling it is to laugh. It’s wonderful to be around someone who can make us laugh. They bring lightness. They invite joy. To make others laugh is also a joy. I think I enjoy that even more – to bring pleasure to another person. Laughing and being silly is not just fun, it is healthy, whether we are appreciating or creating the humor. It releases chemicals that boost the immune system. It also combats anxiety and depression, inducing a sense of well-being. So...
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