Four Corners Blog
Serving Maryland suburbs including Bethesda, Chevy Chase,
Kensington, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park.
We were made for these times
There is a lot of uncertainty in our world right now. I am keenly aware of a feeling of insecurity both within myself and in those around me. How do we make sense of the changes in our nation’s political and economic landscape? And how might they impact our daily lives? We just don’t know. Not to mention the unknown impacts of changes, often unbidden, in our work and personal lives. That not knowing can be difficult to tolerate. But what if we are up to the task of tolerating all of this uncertainty and not-knowingness?
Tis the season to be relating
The seasonal music reminds us that “there’s no place like home for the holidays” and that “love is all around us.” It’s got me thinking about relationships, and how we can attend to them, even in the midst of this busy time of year.
Capsized!
Have you ever felt “capsized” by an event or situation in your life?
Using the metaphor of being the captain of your ship on the ocean of life: perhaps it feels as if you are sailing along, and a huge wave comes and overtakes you. Something unexpected and completely overwhelming occurs, for a few hours or even a few days. We don’t understand what just happened — we couldn’t anticipate it and it wasn’t supposed to happen, just like ships aren’t supposed to capsize.
Revelations
This fall seems to be moving quickly — where did September go? It was the anniversary month for Four Corners Counseling and Wellbeing, and also my birthday month! I find birthdays to be a great time to reflect on what I am grateful for over the past year of my life — even the hard stuff — and what I am looking forward to in the coming year.
When the circle is broken
I lived in South America for a time, where I learned about a spiritual concept that many indigenous people hold, about August being the time of year when “the circle is broken.” It is a time of uncertainly, and of change and openness as well. It is not a comfortable time; there is fear and anxiety inherent in this time of brokenness.
The value of no
I have been wrestling with a hard decision: to say yes or no to starting a new media venture with two terrific business-women friends.
You are of Great Worth!
One morning last week as I was walking into my office, I noticed trash on the front lawn.
This is not that unusual, since the office is at the corner of a busy street. I went to collect the trash and saw what seemed to be the contents of a glove compartment “emergency kit” — a bag of mixed nuts, hand warmers, wet wipes, a pack of gum, a roll of breath mints, and a packet of fruit gummy snacks — all strewn about near an opened ziplock bag. Nestled among these items was a clean, crisp 3x5 card with these words written in bold marker on one side: You are of Great Worth! I was astonished. This item was definitely not trash.
Spring break!
Here’s my suggestion: give yourself a break!
The change of seasons can sometimes catch us unawares, feeling a little more tired, not quite able to snap into the time change. I’ve read that it can take a whole week for our bodies to adjust. So what if, instead of forcing ourselves onward, we tried being really kind to ourselves?