Jan 19Member-only7 Writing Prompts for a New YearThe beginning of 2023 is a great time to write about intentions. One of the many beautiful things about the start of a new year is that it can be an inspiration for change and transformation. A new year can be viewed as a chance to reflect on the past…Writing Prompts3 min readWriting Prompts3 min read
Jan 17Member-onlyHow Reading and Writing Poetry Makes You a Better WriterInsights into reading and writing poetry — Poetry is presumed to be the oldest of the literary arts. In its early form it was performed, sung or orally spoken. Basically, it’s a succinct and condensed form of expression using an economy of words to tell a story. A poem can be thought of as a slice-of-life or…Reading5 min readReading5 min read
Jan 1Member-only5 Ways to Reflect on 2022KEY POINTS Reflection is transformative and can inspire growth and change. Reflection provides a deeper insight into our experiences. Reflection can be done alone or with friends or loved ones. Reflective writing is a powerful tool to help us examine our experiences. To reflect is to take the time to evaluate or…Transformation4 min readTransformation4 min read
Dec 9, 2022Member-onlyDealing With Grief During the HolidaysKEY POINTS At least 35 percent of individuals don’t look forward to the holidays because of the loss of a loved one. Grief is complicated and unpredictable. It’s important to give yourself time to grieve and heal from the loss of a loved one. During the grieving process, it’s important not to…Grief And Loss4 min readGrief And Loss4 min read
Oct 26, 2022Member-only6 Important Reasons to ReadOctober is National Book Month and a good opportunity to pick up a good book. KEY POINTS Reading has many mental health benefits, such as coping with depression, anxiety, and grief. Reading helps us gain insight into our own lives and the lives of others. Reading helps to minimize loneliness for those…Reading3 min readReading3 min read
Oct 15, 2022Member-onlyBlessings From Loved Ones: Reconnecting with my grandmother through her journalOver the course of our life time we might receive meaningful mementos from loved ones that can change our lives. Now that I am in my late sixties, and have lost many loved ones, I’ve been blessed with some meaningful momentos. For me the two most meaningful momentos were from…Family3 min readFamily3 min read
Jul 12, 2022Member-onlyHow Storytelling Gave Me Hope and PerspectiveI’ve always been somewhat obsessed with reading and hearing stories that offer a sense of perspective and hope. Over the past six decades, I’ve earned my chance to share my own thoughts and stories passed down from my ancestors. I was blessed to have grandparents who were survivors of two…Storytelling11 min readStorytelling11 min read
Jun 7, 2022Member-onlyWhy I Love Pablo NerudaWhy I Love Pablo Neruda For years, I have admired the poetry of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. His sensuous passion for life resonates deeply with me. His poetry, like much of my own, explores love, death, and life’s simple pleasures. Neruda began writing poetry sometime between the ages of 10…Pablo Neruda3 min readPablo Neruda3 min read
Apr 21, 2022Transcendence and Transformation with PoetryHere’s to honoring April as National Poetry Month. KEY POINTS Poetry is the voice of the soul and offers insight into the human psyche and human behavior. Poetry therapy can be a powerful tool for psychotherapists. Poetry for healing has deep roots in American history dating back to Walt Whitman reading poems to wounded soldiers. April is National…Poetry5 min readPoetry5 min read
Mar 25, 2022Member-onlyHow the Pandemic Connected Me With My AncestorsHow the Pandemic Connected Me With My Ancestors I’ve been connecting with my ancestors for a very long time. As a memoirist, their stories have given me much to ponder and write about. In the writing workshops I teach, when I mention connecting with ancestors, some of my students have…Ancestors6 min readAncestors6 min read
