Secure
No one likes to be called insecure! But, what does it mean to be secure? To be secure means that a person isn’t dependent upon another person’s behavior for their sense of worth. Now for people who are shame-based and…
Spirit
Shame and Pain
According to Dr. Brene Brown, shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love or belonging. Most people are unconscious of their shame and act it out throughout their lives….
Hope
What is your source of hope? What strengthens your spirit in times of desperation? I’m sure there have been times when you have felt a sense of hopelessness, the question is what is it that helps you bounce back and…
Future Elders
It is important to raise children in a manner in which they will become loving, honorable and empathetic elders. Elders play an incredibly important role in Indigenous communities as they are regarded with high esteem and purpose. I recently presented…
Attachment
One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Yoda, taught his young pupil that attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed and one must let go of everything you fear to lose. That’s a tall order yet a wise one. I’m…
Medicine
One of my favorite thinkers of the 20th century, John Trudell, asked what is your medicine? There are many ways to interpret this question. Medicine to help you heal from illness, medicines to prevent sickness, and medicine to restore you…
Spiritual Essence
There is a part of our being that I hope all people are able to connect to, the essence of who they are. This past week I went to listen to Canadian physician, Gabor Mate’s, poignant message on trauma and…
Happy
A wise elder used to tell me happiness is an inside job. Finally, years later I get what he was saying. I am the happiest I’ve been yet in this life. My friends, family and students keep telling me I…
Good Guys
Good guys do exist! Guys who are honest, pay their taxes, show up when they say they will, have professional jobs, respect their mothers and are compassionate. Thank goodness! Relationships do not have to be stressful, actually they’re not supposed…
Celebrate
It is therapeutic for me to celebrate Copper’s life. I am at a place in my grieving where I can talk and reminisce about my boy. I did not grieve several deaths of loved ones in the past. However pushing…