http://hamptonroads.com/node/353325 Advice en-us Copyright 2009 PilotOnline.com / HamptonRoads.com. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:44:02 -0500 There are days when the Universe decides to  hand you a great big diamond  just because it loves you and wants you to have it.  Often these come when you need them most.   http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/tennis-lessons-1-3which-have-nothing-do-tennis Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:36:02 -0500 I remember a conversation I had with a very wise friend.  At some point in the conversation she said, "I can tolerate a fairly high level of ambivalence." As someone not  good at handling much ambivalence at all, I was quite struck by that statement. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/standing-place-not-knowing Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:02:55 -0400 In Andrew Bein's book for therapists, "The Zen of Helping: Spiritual Principles for Mindful and Open-Hearted Practice", he refers to something called Strong Back, Soft Front.  (He also talks about "practice-based evidence" as opposed to "evidence-based practice", an interesting distinction, but that's a topic for another day!)  http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/what-strong-back-soft-front Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:05:03 -0400 What we see, often, is not what is there. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/train-tracks-and-way-we-see-world Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:47:58 -0400 Because of some changes to my work life lately, I have gotten a new assignment:  to contact 12 mostly local charitable organizations across a wide spectrum and learn more about what they do.  I made the list, got the numbers, and started calling, asking to speak to their program directors to set up a meeting. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/opening-altruism-jar-and-peeking-inside Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:43:40 -0400 If it's one thing that strikes fear in my heart, it is having to call a large corporation with an extensive voicemail menu system to talk about my account.   I know I'm not the only one.  Long wait times....bad Muzak.....incomprehensible accents....being handed off from person to person.....sales pitches....fake people-sounding robot voices....lots of helpfulness but no real help... http://hamptonroads.com/2009/08/morning-phone-call-dread-delight Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:42:05 -0400 A couple of days ago, after a tremendous rainstorm, I went walking through my neighborhood.  I was toward the back end of West Ghent where all the streets dead end at either railroad tracks or creekbeds.  I was walking along a sidewalk and became aware of two things at the same time.   http://hamptonroads.com/2009/08/walking-toward-uneasiness Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:31:40 -0400 A strange thing has happened over the past seven years since I divorced.  It is stranger yet that I did not really notice it was happening until recently.    http://hamptonroads.com/2009/07/coming-home-yourself Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:19:17 -0400 CRUCIBLE:  "A vessel that does not melt easily; used for high temperature chemical reactions." http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/agony-and-gift-becoming-crucible Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:15:23 -0400 Most of you have probably heard the story about the old Indian and his grandson.  He tells his grandson "It seems I have two wolves in me.  One wolf is the animal of self-pity, resentment, anger, revenge, discouragement, and hopelessness.  And the other wolf is the animal of love, generosity, hopefulness, joy, kindness, wisdom.  And these two wolves are always doing battle http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/feeding-wolf Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:58:14 -0400