Friday, June 29, 2007
Great Resource for Families Affected by (Postpartum) Depression
A great resource for "significant others" of those who suffer postpartum mood disorders is MedEd. It offers useful tips on how to support someone affected by a PPMD. I especially like the strategies for explaining to children what's going on with Mom. Their advice for explaining PPMD to children would be useful for all young children who love someone who suffers from a depressive illness.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Seasonal Transitions
As I look out my window, it appears that the summer sun has finally arrived here in the usually cool and cloudy Pacific Northwest. While the cooler months may present challenges for those who prefer their days without rain, the summertime can lead to that familiar refrain from little ones (or maybe even from yourself!): I'm bored! So, what to do this summer? Check out your local parks and recreation department for some activity ideas for even the doggiest of dog days this summer. Lawn bowling, anyone?
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Forgiveness Train
"Forgiveness is the final form of love."--Reinhold Niebuhr
I've been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately. The topic seems to come up a lot in the conversations I have with clients, parents--really anyone who's old enough to have significant relationships with other people. Over the course of these conversations, a metaphor for forgiveness appeared in my mind. When I try to make a visual picture of forgiveness I see a train--a toy train, to be exact where the cars connect through magnets. The locomotive--the train's beginning--is one's self. Forgiveness of others, I think, can only happen once we learn to forgive ourselves for past mistakes, regrets, and unhappinesses. Before any cars can be added to the train, the locomotive must be strong enough to first power itself. Once the forgiveness engine can power itself, that strength can be extended to others. Here's where the magnets come in. I see this attraction quality to forgiveness. With each act of forgiveness, another car is added to the train. Each car attracts yet another car, and soon, all the cars are drawn into this seemingly endless line of cars, driven by one small but powerful engine: self-forgiveness. In the months (and maybe even years!) to come, I hope to research acts of forgiveness (of one's self and others) and be able to report back my findings. Please feel free to share your stories of courageous acts of forgiveness.
I've been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately. The topic seems to come up a lot in the conversations I have with clients, parents--really anyone who's old enough to have significant relationships with other people. Over the course of these conversations, a metaphor for forgiveness appeared in my mind. When I try to make a visual picture of forgiveness I see a train--a toy train, to be exact where the cars connect through magnets. The locomotive--the train's beginning--is one's self. Forgiveness of others, I think, can only happen once we learn to forgive ourselves for past mistakes, regrets, and unhappinesses. Before any cars can be added to the train, the locomotive must be strong enough to first power itself. Once the forgiveness engine can power itself, that strength can be extended to others. Here's where the magnets come in. I see this attraction quality to forgiveness. With each act of forgiveness, another car is added to the train. Each car attracts yet another car, and soon, all the cars are drawn into this seemingly endless line of cars, driven by one small but powerful engine: self-forgiveness. In the months (and maybe even years!) to come, I hope to research acts of forgiveness (of one's self and others) and be able to report back my findings. Please feel free to share your stories of courageous acts of forgiveness.
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