Mindful Living

It doesn't feel very good does it? Feeling insecure at times is a universal experience, and it is really good that you can acknowledge that insecure is what you are feeling! Because that's more than half the battle- recognizing your true feelings. So often we hide feeling insecure by being angry at our significant other by accusing them of things that may or not be accurate. It is usually much easier to acknowledge being angry than it is to admit (even just to ourselves) that what is before the anger is insecurity. Our anger masks our true feelings. Because when we say we feel insecure, that means we are vulnerable. We don't really feel too vulnerable when we are angry. Being vulnerable to another is difficult. And the benefits are amazing! I have seen people go from chronic insecurity in a relationship, to having those insecure feelings almost vanish overnight by recognizing and talking about them to their partner! Now that is some powerful medicine! Does it always work th...

Music almost always lifts my mood, but it took me a while to understand this. When I am devoid of music for long periods I am not as happy- life doesn't have the depth or richness as when music is playing. I usually don't like the sappy love songs as much (although I still listen and sing to them!). Listening to Janis Ian's first album when I am down or melancholy is like a salve on a wound. She certainly understood darkness, as did the much older Simon and Garfunkel. When I am housecleaning, I need upbeat music, so I to listen to the kids artists: Beyonce, Fergie, Katie Perry, etc. The rhythms get me moving. When exercising, I listen to classic rock- Journey, Bruce, ELO, Billy Squire. Or ABBA and Bee Gees. Slow dancing with my hubby? Tony Bennet, Patsy Cline or Frank Sinatra. As embarrassing as this is to admit, but singing in the car tends to be Peter Paul and Mary or Barry Manilow! Nothing like Puff or Copacabana to belt things out by yourself. I have recently started l...

Kettle Moraine Counseling October 2010 Newsletter From the director: The leaves are turning colors and it gets chilly at night. I love the cooler air! We are walking more at night as a family and that’s been a very nice experience and good time to talk. At the clinic, our two new therapists (Deb Graf and Layne Sampson) are up and running and doing great. Tricia Schutz has expanded her hours due to high demand and it’s been nice having her around more. The play therapy room has been a hit so far with kids, and we are so happy to be able to offer that service to the community. Thank you to our clients and others who refer to us- we appreciate it and will continue to practice with integrity and skill. Who’s the Real Teacher? By Deb Graf As adults, we often focus on what we can teach children to help them function in society. I challenge us to think about the opposite: how children teach us. Youngsters bring life to our world: they teach us to have fun, enjoy th...