Advice on Panic Attacks (from someone who knows…)

By Laurie Blaikie on 02/11/19

If you’ve never had a panic attack, you’re fortunate.  And, if you’re curious about the experience,  you can try this exercise. Imagine that you are in a crowded place, perhaps a shopping mall, and you start to feel anxious.  This isn’t your ‘normal’ level of anxiety.  This feels different.  You begin to notice that everything …  Continue reading Advice on Panic Attacks (from someone who knows…)

I was planning this week to write on the importance of structure for mental health.  However, after a trip to my neighbourhood drug store, I decided to save that topic for another time.

Here’s what happened…while standing in a long checkout line at the drug store, I started reading the fronts of the magazines that were positioned on the…

Welcome to 2019!

As humans, we are fascinated by new beginnings. It’s an opportunity to turn the page on what has gone before and start again. While some people see the beginning of a new school year in this light, the clicking over into a new calendar year is culturally treated as a chance to sweep out the old and bring in the new. Some people, myself included, like to clean house and put away holiday decorations on New Year’s Day…

The following poem, written by Maureen Killoran , found me the other day.  It summarizes what I wish for you, not just for this holiday season, but every season. Take care.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Not gold, nor myrrh, nor even frankincense
would I have for you this season,
but simple gifts, the ones that are hardest to find,
the ones that are perfect, even for those who have everything (if such there be).

I would (if I could) have for you the…

In this post, we explore the concept of forgiveness…What is it?  Who benefits?  Why is it important? And, most importantly, how do we do it?

The idea of forgiveness is a difficult thing.  When we have been disappointed or hurt by someone else our instinct is often to recoil and protect ourselves.  When a person close to us…

In 1978, M. Scott Peck (American psychiatrist) published his best-selling book The Road Less Traveled in which the first sentence reads:  “Life is difficult.”  Dr. Peck wasn’t kidding!  On a daily basis we deal with problems large and small–ranging from not being able to find our car keys to dealing with a difficult co-worker.  Usually, we’re able to cope with these challenges with the help of our friends, family and self-care practices.

However, what happens when we are hit with something…

There is a belief that once someone has been cured of cancer, they should feel ecstatically happy.  Why wouldn’t they?  The treatments are over!  They are cancer-free!  The battle has been won!   However, many of the people I have met during this stage of their cancer journey don’t feel like it’s time for a party.  In fact, they feel that their journey isn’t over.  If the first half of having cancer is the treatment, then the second half is ‘after the cure’.

In this post, we’ll explore some of…

Comings and Goings…The Circle of Life

By Laurie Blaikie on 11/15/18

People come and go in our lives for a variety of reasons.  Sometimes it’s because we meet a new friend, or a relationship ends.  Maybe we’re the one coming and going as we change jobs or move to a new city.  At some point, our entrances and exits are more substantial…we are born and we … Continue reading Comings and Goings…The Circle of Life →

Are You Laughing? Humour and Health

By Laurie Blaikie on 11/08/18

Humour is a funny thing (no pun intended!).  What one person thinks is hilarious, another person barely breaks a smile.  What’s counts as humour in one culture, is seen as insulting in another. Not only is humour tricky, we hold certain beliefs about it’s value–especially regarding our health.  In this post we’ll explore three areas … Continue reading Are You Laughing? Humour and Health →