LIFESHINE BLOG

The homepage of my website states, “Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.” Let’s first off say that nobody wishes the difficulty and struggle that comes with some of these life situations. Some of these moments are incredibly painful and traumatic. That’s reality, and in no way is this blog meant to downplay the significance of these events. Perhaps it’s a health or financial issue, a thought that is having trouble leaving your mind, an emotion that keeps coming up to

As a dog owner, I never stop appreciating the welcome I receive when I walk through the door. Dogs are pack animals, and after some quick Googling, I find that most experts agree dogs are genetically predisposed to being “social”. Like pack animals, humans are social beings. And crucial to our emotional and mental well-being, is the inborn need to belong to community. Community allows us to learn from others; it fuels personal growth, and feeds our desire to belong. To begi

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference." The Serenity prayer has been widely used in self-help and recovery circles for decades. Sometimes in life, it can be more difficult to "accept the things I cannot change" than it is to "change the things I can”. So then, we give pause for discernment between the two. As you can see, it can become confusing to know what is our responsibili

Anxiety is a state of being in which we struggle with feelings of nervousness, worry, or uneasiness. It differs from fear which is an emotion based on a defined threat. Anxiety is based on a perceived threat. The unknown. The dark, blurry place that we might go to as we ruminate and devise plans around each potential outcome, and our possible response to each potential outcome. It sounds unmanageable…and life becomes just that. Constant anxiety leads to constant fatigue, irr

Boundaries are one of the most important aspects of healthy, mutually satisfying relationships. Simply put, boundaries define what is “me” and what “is not me”. They allow us to know who we are, and how we are different from others intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Here are some vital steps to begin to learn how to effectively set healthy boundaries: Get in touch with your feelings – It’s crucial to start with labeling the emotion. These uncomfortable

Life is a series of frequent changes. Some changes are welcomed; others range from inconvenient to catastrophic. Transitions are times of crossing or traveling from something old and familiar to something new and unfamiliar. Most transitions are small and pass by almost unnoticed. Some, however, involve major disruptions in routines and force us to re-examine how we manage our lives. Here are some ways to get through these times and make the shift towards the new: Grieve the

January can be a stressful month for many who set New Year’s Resolutions. The definition of Resolution is “a firm decision to do or not do something”. You might ask yourself... When have I responded positively from someone telling me to “firmly” do something? Is there another way? Consider making New Year’s Goals…realistic, achievable benchmarks that lower the anxiety of sudden, massive, and abrupt change. With Goals, you can plan a progressive transformation, and adapt to

When we hear the term “loss & grief”, many of us immediately reference the death of a loved one. Losing someone or something you love or care deeply about is very painful and can be difficult to move forward. Similarly, but obviously different, when we experience life changes we can experience many of the same uncomfortable, painful emotions. Divorce or separation can bring the loss of relationship, family, place of residence, friends, or social groups. Personal injury can

In this digital age, most of us are bombarded by constant distractions via texts, emails, snapchats, Facebook, Twitter….the list goes on! Many are finding solace by taking a device sabbatical – unplugging from the virtual world, and connecting back to the physical world. Choosing to reconnect with ourselves, others, and the world around us can have its challenges. Here are a few helpful ideas to begin your “reconnection” to yourself! Help others. Take some supplies to the l

Many of us have dreams and expectations of a perfect family function that goes off without a hitch. But with so many back-stories, generations, personalities, and unrecognized dysfunction, it’s no wonder that family & friend holiday get-togethers can be so emotionally draining. Here are some tips that can help bring some calm for you during the holiday season. 1. Be prepared. “Ok, here it goes”. Take a deep breath. There may be things said, or other triggers that may frustr