Limitless
Dr. Bill Effler gives us the reminder that God wants to meet us in our brokenness and provide another way for us to live as part of His divine rhythm.
Flying in the Face of Truth
The Tower of Pisa is one of the most photographed landmarks in Italy, with construction beginning in 1173. Early on, builders discovered poor soil conditions that caused the tower to lean southward. At further expense, other specialists were brought in to challenge the diagnosis of earlier builders.
You Get What You Pay For
A reader emailed me, asking, “Why don’t you blog about ‘You get what you pay for’?” I want to turn this around by saying, “You may get what you had not bargained for.” This idea makes me think of a store that advertises, "Cheapest brakes in town".
You and Your Automatic Thoughts
An event occurs, instantly triggering an emotional response and automatic thoughts. Our internal interpretations are commonly based on external stimuli. Therapist Aaron Beck, creator of the “ANTS” theory (automatic negative thoughts)...
Managing and Manipulative People
I’ve been taking a Zoom class for the last few months that has dealt with, in part, “adverse advisors” or, people who have a problem with nearly any idea you may have. I want to pull the covers back on the person who first appears as being ‘authentic,’ but is found to be blowing smoke.
It’s Complicated
After noticing the frequent use of "It's Complicated" on Facebook, I became curious about the word "complicated". In medicine and computer science, "complicated" denotes complex situations—like a compound fracture in medicine or an unpredictable virus in computer systems.
Crosswalk
Standing backward~waiting for the walk in white. An unseen shriveled hand parts our trafficked path; I blindly saunter, tap, tap, tap … I might find my way across, someday.
The Dreaded Question
I heard a panel of therapists grapple with the question: "What constitutes true authenticity?" One person said Many people can be transparent about the past but not nearly as forthcoming about an unreconciled present. Pause and let these last two sentences sink in; reread it if you must.
Relationship or Reason
One night, a father was putting his seven-year-old son to bed when the boy said, “Dad, I’m not sure I believe that God made everything in the universe. Are you telling me that everything we see just happened all of a sudden?”
The ‘Happy Chemicals’ & How To Access Them
Chemicals are released in the brain during pleasurable activities, such as eating delicious food, spending time with loved ones, or achieving goals. The following four chemicals are referred to as, ‘the happy chemicals’...
Two Ways to Live Life
A healthy life focuses on growth, change, challenge, and trusting God, which develops faith and leads to continual personal growth. In contrast, an unhealthy life resists change, avoids challenge, relies on self rather than God, and becomes stagnant, producing little growth and an unfulfilled life.
.Learn to Ask Better Questions
.For years I would share with my counseling students, “Asking a better question can be far more effective than delivering a well-intentioned (even a good information) statement. Below I share a handful of questions that can keep a conversation going and...
Self Talk Scripting to Reduce Anxiety
Research tells us that “ACEs” (adverse childhood experiences) if not identified and worked through can become very toxic to a person and to those relationships around them. Further, anxiety that is...
You and Your Life
This worksheet uses a tree as a metaphor to identify your strengths, support system, and source of growth, helping you see where your skills, relationships, and personal foundation come from. This\image and writing has been used peoples with as young as fifth grade children, and adult.
Easy Elegent Dinner
Cali Stuffed Chicken Breasts are tender, flattened chicken breasts rolled with a spinach–parmesan filling, wrapped in bacon or prosciutto, baked with white wine, and finished with mango chutney for a savory-sweet dish best served over rice.
.The Truth about Deception
Here are some ‘think it overs’ about liars and lying. Men lie to preserve their reputation; women lie to avoid conflict. People of faith color-code (sugarcoat) their lies by using the term, “white lie”...
It’s Complicated
After noticing the frequent use of "It's Complicated" on Facebook, I became curious about the word "complicated". In medicine and computer science, "complicated" denotes complex situations—like a compound fracture in medicine...
Helicopter Parents Produce Helicopter Kids
Each fall incoming freshman come streaming onto college campuses. Some “streaming wildly”, like a horse out of the barn for the first time.
Infected or Contagious?
My curiosity got the best of me. I looked up the words 'infected' and 'contagious'. I was reminded that the word 'infected' means to become sick, influenced by or be affected by an outside element or property ...
.
.
Understanding Covenant
Encouragement: In my study my heart was reminded of those I know who truly long to have godly relationships. Relationship is all about a covenant partnering between people. I read 2 Corinthians ...
Blame: Denial’s Ugly Cousin
The best way to maximize this brief blog is to picture a person in your life that you struggle to have a meaningful conversation, on any level.
Emotional Intelligence and Problem Solving
We live in an increasingly ‘reactive’ culture. Rather than stepping back, taking a breath, considering consequences or looking at the bigger picture people often say the first thing that crosses their mental radar screen.
Since You Asked
I am often asked, “What is your take on today’s culture and, what role is the Church to play in our culture ?” I want to begin to answer this question, using this past fall’s academic freshman entering universities as a starting place...
.
.
What Time Is It?
We are all time travelers moving in one direction—it this true? What if the past isn't as fixed as we think? Can we reframe or reinterpret situations and experiences that were painful and then, rise above them?
You and Your Negative Thoughts
I have blogged about ‘negative mental scripting’ before. I referred to “ANTS”, “Automatic Negative Thinking”, a theory that was developed some time ago. While attending a workshop recently my mind took me ...
Keep It Real
I confess, I reached into my journaling and found this piece of writing I had written back in January 2017. I remember the night I describe like it was yesterday. Even now, my eyes are filling… my mind wondering … how many students “got me”?
Procrastination (!)
If you were to look up the word procrastination, you would find something along these lines of,
Procrastination is delaying a necessary task, despite knowing there could negative consequences...
Procrastination is delaying a necessary task, despite knowing there could negative consequences...
...
Let’s Make Something Powerful Happen
Fill out the form below to inquire about booking me for your next event.