“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” ~ Alan Cohen “New Year, New You” is a phrase I often hear around the new year. While I understand the sentiment there, I do not love the underlying idea of completely reinventing ourselves and/or disregarding where we have previously been.
Dear 2020, Thank you and goodbye. You certainly were an unusual year! It feels a bit like the world was a snow globe, and was thoroughly shaken up. Now that 2021 is starting, we can tell you what we really thought of you. At the beginning of March, I started participating in a women’s book
“Inhale the future, exhale the past.” ~Anon. 2020 has been one for the books. Every single one of us has been affected in some way or another; in many instances likely not for the better. If we were not personally affected by the Coronavirus, we may have known someone that was, or we felt the
“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.” ~Agnes M. Pahro Normally, the holiday season is full of spending time with family, decorating the Christmas tree, looking at light displays, bustling in malls to find the perfect gifts, traveling, making and giving treats, and
“Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.” ~ Charlotte Brontë 2020 has been unlike any other year. We have seen a global pandemic, lockdowns, quarantines, political unrest, and a presidential election of scandalous proportions. On a more micro level, we have seen
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King Junior The world is in complete commotion. With the Pandemic, the elections, and everything in between, we might feel like we are living in a blender. Life is hard, scary, and
“We are different; we always have been and always will be. However, different shouldn’t divide us, but unify us because different is an asset.” ~ Elizabeth Margo We live in a time that can be very divisive. While it is not uncommon for politicians to publicly demean one another, it is becoming more of the
“Want to be a great parent? Want to raise a happy, healthy, well-behaved kid? Want to live in a home where discipline becomes unnecessary? The secret is to create a closer connection with your child.” ~ Laura Markham 2020 has been a whirlwind for everyone. Literally every human across the country has felt the rippling
“Give him direct communication, respect, appreciation, food, and good lovin’, and he’ll do just about anything you wish.” ~ Dr. Laura Schlessinger With COVID-19, I have been thinking about the importance of relationships and how we can strengthen them. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how to strengthen your relationship with the woman
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~ Lao Tzu With all the uncertainty and stress that has come with 2020, you may have found yourself craving closeness with your loved ones more than ever before. This is because humans are wired for connection; it is part
“The mistake is thinking that there can be an antidote to the uncertainty.” ~David Levithan A dear friend of mine is currently unemployed, going through a divorce, moving homes, and experiencing the tumult that accompanies this pandemic. Her life is incredibly uncertain and difficult right now. I know many of my readers can relate, which
“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” ~ George Washington Students, teachers, and parents have a million questions about the upcoming school year– Will we go back to school or will it be virtual? Or a combination? What happens if a student or teacher tests positive for coronavirus? Does the whole class quarantine?
Melissa Cluff is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in North Texas, providing face-to-face and telehealth therapy options to clients in Texas.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in North Texas, providing face-to-face and telehealth therapy options to clients in Texas.
