Trapped on the Treadmill
Sometimes referred to as the hedonistic treadmill, this is a machine always in motion.  As material possessions increase, so do our expectations about what is needed to feel good/happy/fulfilled.  Because all the things we deem essential are taken for granted, expectations rise.  As newer, bigger and better items become the next “must [...]

“When in the course of human events”…it soon becomes evident that building emotional strength is just as necessary as sound physical development.  While there is great emphasis upon taking care of our bodies and having a healthy lifestyle, it is equally important not to discount the value of emotional well-being.  Building emotional health provides the [...]

While waiting in the doctor’s office for my husband’s post-operative visit, I whiled away the time perusing the medical magazines.  I came across an article (which contained the title phrase), about foot problems.  It stated that 30% of women had trouble with their feet, primarily due to wearing high heels.  I immediately thought of how [...]

With some perspective on the situation (my husband is out of hospital and recuperating at home), I can almost laugh (although not funny at the time), about what it took for me to reach my saturation point.  Just when it seems that stressful occurrences are being handled, a (small) event often causes that, “I can’t [...]

Two weeks ago, while my husband was still in hospital, it seemed as if an infection was rearing its ugly head (mercifully, this turned out to be a false alarm), but I did begin to despair.  The vicissitudes of an illness or life threatening situation indubitably takes a heavy physical and emotional toll, not only [...]

Week two in the same hospital, but the good news is that my husband is no longer in the ICU, but in a “step-down” unit, making excellent progress.  Quite honestly, the (exceptional) medical staff is both pleased and amazed by his rapid improvement, and my loved ones and I have finally let out collective sighs [...]

“Support” may be an unlikely word to find at the end of the above phrase, but its importance was underscored while I was sitting in the ICU of a Southern California hospital, where my husband underwent emergency surgery.  Surrounded by loving family and friends makes it possible for me to be “tough” in this difficult [...]

“If You’re Not Part of the Solution, You’re Part of the Problem”
Over a period of a week, my mother’s microwave oven began showing signs of imminent decline.  I checked with my siblings, but no one had kept an extra “nuker” after moving or remodeling a kitchen. The suggestion was made to immediately buy a replacement [...]

I used to describe my ex-husband as being, “the master of the specious argument”.  Obviously, he is my “ex” because we had innumerable differences of opinions and values.  When someone is particularly bright, forceful, and needing to be “right”, any discussion can readily turn into a quarrel, where there is a winner and a loser.  [...]

Never met a power struggle you couldn’t refuse?  Or, is it a problem in differentiating when to take a necessary stand vs. when best to walk away from the situation?  In any relationship, be it intimate, casual or professional, knowing when to pick your fights is essential in getting along and achieving a sense of [...]