I began at TreeHouse in 1989. More than twenty years later and I’m still amazed each week in our support groups.  Teens and parents bare their souls, reveal their flaws, expose their wounds and share words of wisdom.  I’m so proud of the thousands who have chosen to embrace their pain that they might find healing and wholeness.  It’s their courage that inspires me to challenge my other readers to embrace their pain too.

Embracing your pain is hard.

Dan Heisman one of my favorite authors wrote, “The #1 chess guideline [is] keep all your pieces safe! (And consider taking opponent’s pieces that are not safe). You must make all your decisions before you touch a piece…”

Choose wisely.

BUT What If You Feel Like A Pawn Someone Else Controls?

You were hoping for happiness, but you’re feeling like you don’t know what moves to make.

You were hoping to deal with change in your life, but you’ve been dealt a bad hand.

Regardless what someone else says or does you can respectfully:

Choose to not to use hurtful words.

Choose to use a soft and kind – not sarcastic – tone in your voice.

Choose to have the kind of attitude with others that you want them to have with you.

You do not have to hurt the other person back.

You do not have to allow their words do not have power over you.

Regardless what the other person chooses, you’re responsible for your own actions.

At our house we’re talking about our upcoming Thanksgiving week.  Questions abound.

Will we all be able to get together at Grandma and Grandpa V’s?  Will we travel together?  How long can we stay?  Who has to get back when?

My dad does not like turkey, we do.  No problem, we have a turkey dinner at our house during the Thanksgiving week.

More questions: When will we get together?  What time?  Who can help with the meal?

Questions. Questions. Questions.

Holiday gatherings are stressful times for many people.

Please keep reading. This advice might make your life better! Seriously!

No gimmick, no scheme, no quick fix, I just found some common sense that was not common to me.

I’m not working today because I’m on a furlough. I’m not being paid to not work. The economic challenges hit TreeHouse.

At the risk of sounding like a martyr, Amy and I still struggle with the financial impact of my choice to work at TreeHouse. In 1990 during my first month at TreeHouse I made $30. As the months went by I had several paychecks of less than $200.