For Your Consideration: Mary Roach author of bestselling non-fiction titles Titles Include: Grunt, Gulp, Bonk, Spook, & Stiff Difficulty: 7th grade reading level. Get It: If you love science, love to laugh or both. Need a great gift that will endear you to the beloved nerd in your life. I suspect (no personal experience) a pre-teen boy would love her work. Skip It: Not for those who are excessively squeamish. Maturity: Pre-teen (“Bonk” Adult and older teen, see below) Overall: Great pick for anyone.

1) Fell a tree: You cannot make a match without a matchstick. To get a matchstick you need wood. How do you get wood? You fell a tree. We all have reasons, excuses, obstacles and fears. They are often deeply rooted and have grown fat and tall being fed by…

First things first. You are unique. But that doesn’t mean you’re alone That bears repeating. You are not alone but you are unique. Your life’s journey isn’t going to be identical to anyone else’s. Not mine. Not your neighbors. Not you favorite celebrity, guru, or even beloved family member. That’s…

I am not a fan of the term “mental illness:” or “neurodivergent”. All well intentions acknowledged, something about that terminology sets my teeth a bit on edge at times. I would love to hear it replaced with less weighted phrases. I would prefer mental wellness or even better, idiosyncratic, spirited…

It can be more than a bit disconcerting to realize that after what for may have been the better part of your adult life you’ve changed or have begun to change. And while what I say next may seem counter-intuitive, walk with me, talk with me, join me in a…

It’s easy to give simple pat advice. I know I’ve heard it all. You probably have too. As someone who has had challenges with mental wellness the most common is to “just be positive”. Not to mention social media sites abound with any number of aphorisms and quotes meant to…

I hate the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Here’s Why. I don’t relate to the Princess, Sir Charming, The Royal Parents or even the Vengeful Witch. I identify with all the servants, cooks, and gardeners, who wake up to 100 years of dust, grime, overgrown flowerbeds, sour laundry, and scum covered…

I had to get to myself again. Did I want the same things? Did I have the goals? Was I going to stay on the same path with the same plans? I suspect this may sound familiar. You look at the person in the mirror and this stranger stares back…

It happens to all of us sooner or later. We find ourselves suddenly frozen in place. Looking around at the elements of our lives and asking the question “How did I get here?” Perhaps your childhood career plans are off track. Maybe you career is on the fast track; but…