Dearest Neighbor, Thank you for your courage to heal your heartaches big and small and for sharing, for in reaching out, you are also giving strength and hope to others. “How do I move forward when the same bad stuff keeps happening over and over again?” Millions of us can relate to your question and in countless ways. I joked … Read More
Ask Annah: Am I a Lost Cause?
Dearest Neighbor, Oh, how I relate to your current struggle and remember well feeling like I was the only person on the planet who wasn’t “getting it.” “I just can’t relate to my friends, my family, or my therapist because what they are saying just doesn’t make sense to me. Am I a lost cause?” Let me assure you that … Read More
Ask Annah: How Do I Move Forward When the Past Keeps Repeating Itself? Part II: Overcoming Fear of Failure
Dearest Neighbor, I hear you. I feel your fear. I think it is fairly safe to say that all of us have experienced times where we keep making the same mistakes over and over. Maybe you keep choosing relationships with people who tear you down rather than lift you up. Maybe you burn dinner more nights than not because you … Read More
Ask Annah: I Feel So Lost! How Can I Find My Way Through My Grief?
Dear Neighbor, I hear you. I feel your pain. I understand how crazy making it is to feel like you are walking in circles or to be utterly, hopelessly lost in the middle of nowhere. I live on a two-hundred-acre parcel of land, complete with hills, valleys, and thick forests. My husband is an avid outdoors-man and can tell you … Read More
Ask Annah: How Can I Fix My Grief Pain?
Dearest Neighbor, I feel your pain and I am so very sorry for your losses. “How can I fix my grief pain,” you ask? I wish there was one simple answer I could give you, some magic wand I can wave to make the hurt all go away, but since I wasn’t born with those gifts, I’ll be happy to … Read More
Ask Annah: Where is MY Miracle?
Dearest Neighbor, I can relate to your feeling of helplessness, sadness, confusion, and desire for some promise, for anything, anything that will give you hope. Miracle? How can you think of the possibility when your life is a disaster and riddled with the worst pain you have ever imagined? I know how that feeling and those thoughts affected me. I … Read More
Ask Annah: Does Grief Last Forever?
Dearest Neighbor, First, I’m sorry for your loss and your heartache. Please know that, though it might sometimes feel like you are all alone, you have a world of support to help you in your grief and beyond. Will your grief last forever? It doesn’t have to, Journeyer, but it all depends on you. In the 5 Steps of Healing, … Read More
Ask Annah: How Do I Apologize When So Much Time has Passed?
Dearest Neighbor, One of the number one stresses, concerns, and fears surrounding holidays and other celebratory events has to do with relationships. Think about all the jokes you’ve heard and possibly made about those crazy family get-togethers, the family tension, or worries about Who is going to say What. Some of the most common culprits of family rifts are miscommunication, … Read More
The Amazing and Healing Benefits of Cats: A Guest Post by Emily Parker
Journeyer, if your kids (or spouse!) are begging for a kitty for Christmas, here are a few reasons to make that happen! Animal lovers know how much love, peace, and calm a cuddly cat can bring, but not all of us know the many other benefits that come with adding a feline to the family. I’m honored to share this … Read More
Holiday Healing Tips: On Happiness and Setting Boundaries
“The Holidays” are associated with any things, one of the most prevalent being gift giving. For those of us who enjoy giving meaningful gifts that will bring joy to the recipient, celebratory events can add extra demands on our time and energy. Toss in the effects of conflict and grief due to some life loss event and the holidays can … Read More