The Here and the Now

As we continue in our COVID-19 world, the months are speeding along for many, but seem to creep by for others. That may vary day to day, making it difficult to maintain a balance of all the parts that make up a life. Think of it as “calendar disruption,” and we love our calendars, don’t we? We are still quarantined and lots of people are more anxious & depressed than … [Read more...] about Partnered vs. Unpartnered: Lessons from Both Sides

We’re hearing so much about history, what’s real, what’s true, what never was true. History is vital in our lives, because our personal history, our experiences, and what we’ve learned through them, help shape our lives going forward. Memories take hold of our brains, our hearts, and often impact the choices we make. There are helpful aspects of having strong memories, which … [Read more...] about “History of PRIDE in New Orleans Panel” – Lessons Learned

Stress impacts everything in our lives. The holistic worldview encourages us to consider everything in our life as connected. Through those connections, there are bonds that sustain us throughout life and help to keep us grounded in logic and reality in times of trauma or transition.  As we’ve recently discovered, the stress we have lived with since late March is here … [Read more...] about Is Risky Behavior Worth It? Wear a MASK

On May 27, the world lost a giant in the history of the LGBTQ community, Larry Kramer, noted author, playwright, producer, public health advocate, LGBTQ rights activist, and so much more. Those who do not know his story will hopefully learn about him through the multitude of articles and documentaries that will certainly show up in the near future. In order to gain a sense of … [Read more...] about The Normal Heart: AIDS/COVID/Resilience

I asked someone the other day if he was looking forward to our area “opening up” during Phase One, and if he’d considered what it may mean for him on a personal level. “Well, nothing is happening now,” he responded, “might as well see some life and go down to the Quarter. But I’m kind of really afraid, so I’m not sure.”  I think many people feel similarly. They’re ready … [Read more...] about OK, So We’re Open: Phase I Louisiana

When I was an undergraduate English major, some friends and I would play a game to help us recall words to broaden our vocabulary. Exciting, right? Ok, I’ll admit I might have been a bit of a nerd, but I loved words, writing and creating poems & stories.  While I’ve never really put much stock into New Year’s resolutions, I do enjoy picking a group of words and … [Read more...] about Create your Path Through Words to Live By

Happy 2020! It’s the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and perhaps the best of all days to come. A bit optimistic you might say, and that may be right, however, I really don’t think so. Optimism is often the upshot of a sense of gratitude for life and the many nuances of it that propel us forward day by day, week by week.  I spent some time at a holiday gathering a … [Read more...] about On Gratitude in the New Decade

Consider the question, “It’s a week before Christmas and I feel_______.” It’s getting close to the “DAY,” as they called it in my family a long time ago. I was never quite sure what that meant, but I knew it meant something having to do with the Christmas holiday.  There was always excitement leading up to the DAY. Through the years, my feelings on Christmas have … [Read more...] about It’s a Week Before Christmas and I Feel… (Fill in The Blank)

If a quick and dirty poll were conducted about one thing you remembered about food around the holiday season, most of us would come up with at least one favorite recipe, a beloved dish that was served every year.   And then many of us would also recall something that may have occurred during that meal.  Granted, not all people have entirely positive feelings … [Read more...] about Tweaking Traditions: Celebrating the Good Times