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Posts Categorized: Relationships

Moments in Time

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

August has flown by – Minutes filled with work, accomplishing projects and conversations.

But the best moments were those spent with good friends – talking, sharing and just being together.

Relationships are an important part of any steps we take through life. Knowing we are not alone allows us to step more confidently.

“This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.

We only have that moment in time. If we waste it, we are wasting a part of who we are. In that moment in time we have the ability to reflect, connect with loved ones, do some meaningful work, try new things, and look for opportunities.

The Next Step

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

The Next Step

Do you remember your first toddling steps?

I don’t. But we’ve all had them. While we may not remember our first attempts at walking, we remember snippets of running and jumping and falling down with scraped knees and scaring our parents half to death as we climbed and explored places where danger was adventuresome.

As we march through life, we take steps full of confidence and those filled with timidity and hesitation.

There were those hesitant steps as we entered kindergarten, and then bounded through grade school and high school, entering college with a false sense of self and doubt but soon striding with self confidence. Soon we were light footing it into romance and love and then that solemn walk down the aisle. Steps in tandem soon slowed down as we tried to match the baby steps of our first toddler.

As the years marched on, we became more sure-footed, learning not to make the same mistakes twice.

But then just as we had found a comfortable gait, life throws us some unexpected hard balls and we learn we don’t have as much control as we thought we had.

How do I say Goodbye?

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

How do I say goodbye?

She was petite, perky, and full of life. Her smile brightened a room and you felt uplifted as soon as she walked in.

She never made a big deal about the obstacles she faced in her life. With severe food allergies she would bring her own food with her to any event without any fanfare and nobody noticed. It wasn’t a big deal to her. Life was to be enjoyed and not spoilt by little things you could or couldn’t do.

Her outlook on life carried through in all situations. She looked at problems and found solutions.

Those Ah-Ha Moments

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Life will give us those Ah-Ha moments where we are able to get a glimpse of a larger truth that can forever alter our thinking. But we need to be ready to recognize them.

I was given such an Ah-Ha moment many years ago that changed my thinking forever.

We were preparing for a summer camping trip with the kids. I was doing loads of laundry in preparation for leaving the next day. But the job was hindered by a water pressure problem. For some reason the water filling my laundry tub was so slow it seemed to take forever.

It was one of the things on my husband’s to do list.

Firecrackers Popping

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Firecrackers popping, potato salad made. Soda Pop is in the cooler covered with ice and we congregate as friends together to watch the evening fireworks.

The 4th of July

it is one of our nation’s favorite holidays.

It is a favorite because it represents freedom, independence and liberty. We are free to be our own person, free to move around and make our own choices. We have autonomy and self-determination. Our liberty was bought with blood and sweat and tears by those who came before us. That liberty assures us that we are free from the control and restrictions of a despotic or arbitrary government control.

When that freedom and independence is applied to our personal life, we are challenged to do something productive and constructive with that freedom.

Words

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

What’s in a word?

Imagine – Create – Believe

Inspire – Transform

Words

They can maim, cut, injure, wound and kill the spirits of others.

Or

they can inspire, motivate, life up, and give new life to those we direct them to.

Twice a week I attend a wonderful exercise class that helps keep those of us who attend develop strength and balance and keep physically fit. It is taught by the vivacious owner of Inspire Fitness, Jennifer Beemer.

Double Meanings

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

As I work through the final edits of my book, I am reminded again just how important and tenuous words can be.

We think we have chosen the right words to express a certain thought or idea but then it is questioned. What did you mean by that? Can you elaborate more?

Words by themselves don’t necessarily say what we want them to say. They are not always self-defining by their usage. Additional or different words might be needed to accurately convey what it is you want to convey.

A Special Tribute

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Mothers

As I enjoyed a wonderful time with my daughter this Mothers Day, who is a fantastic mother, I wanted to pay a special tribute to Moms.

Mothers Day is more than just a celebration once a year where we give flowers, send a card and try to say thanks.

It is an opportunity to think about what it means to be a Mom.

What does it mean to be a Mom?

Moms have a special relationship with their children that no one else can have as it began before they were born. As our babies grew in our wombs, we spoke to them and even sang songs to them. Love grew along with the baby.

21 Days of Joy – A book Review

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Sunday is Mother’s Day and I couldn’t think of a better way to honor the Mother’s of this world than by sharing a book review I did for Kathy Ide entitled “21 Days of Joy”.

Kathy was one of those many wonderful people I met at the Mt Hermon Writer’s Conference, who were ready to assist and help us become better writers. They shared their talent and expertise with those of us who were still novices and struggling with the ins and outs of writing, publishing and marketing.

So when she extended the invitation to write a review for her latest book in her “21 Days” series in exchange for a free book, I was eager to do it. And I was not disappointed. Kathy has taken the genre of fiction to depict wonderful narratives about mothers that are as real as if were experiencing it.

“21 days of Joy” is a compilation of stories written by different authors about our journey through life around the theme “Celebrating Moms”.

Life’s Joyful Opportunities

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Life offers us those wonderful moments and opportunities that can not only enrich our lives, but fill it with adventure and growth.

When we recognize and engage them, we develop new skills and perfect old ones.

From the time I was a little girl, I had wanted to be a singer. However, growing up on a farm gave little opportunity to take piano lessons and participate in musical events.

So, when I went back to college to get my degree, I planned my courses around music. But it soon became clear, that without that early background in music, it would be difficult to make it a career choice. So, I switched to my next love – psychology.