What’s in your book?
I'm not talking about novels. I'm talking about a life book. We all have one. Growing up, I learned very quickly that credibility and legitimacy were earned only by having letters after one's name: PhD, MD, JD. D's count for more than M's: MA, MS, MEd, MSW, MBA. I...
Smile and the world smiles with you . . .
. . . cry and you cry alone."That was a popular refrain in my house, growing up, and it persists to this day, especially in English-speaking countries where people Do Not Talk about what's really going on with them. It's from a poem called "Solitude" by Ella...
Putting together the pieces
I hope that I am perhaps climbing out of this funk. I was able to get up and do a few things around the house today, though only for about an hour and now I am trembly and exhausted and overwhelmed again. But it is progress.I have a very big week coming up. Initially...
For every action
. . . there is an equal and opposite reaction. —Newton's Third Law of MotionI'm waiting for it to come. Because it always comes. My history has proven that.The depression causes extreme fatigue, somewhat similar to the fatigue I experience with fibromyalgia, but much...
I am Rivka
I've been thinking about posting this for two days. Actually, that's not entirely true. I've been thinking on and off about posting this since 2011.There's a piece going around Facebook about "10 Ways to Show Love to Someone With Depression" and the timing was...
Countdown to Days of Awe #1
Teshuvah (repentance/return) begins with recognizing one's wrongs, and feeling sincere remorse. Saying or texting to people (or posting on FB) "If I have done anything to offend you this past year, please forgive me" doesn't cut it. You can't ask forgiveness if you...
Scared or Sacred?
I took this photo a couple of years ago. The saying came to me a couple of nights ago. I think they were destined to be together. :-)Sharing is absolutely allowed, but please do not crop off, delete, or otherwise obscure the copyright notice. Thanks for your...
Be Mine . . . Or Not
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day here in the States. I don't celebrate it. Don't get me wrong—I like flowers and chocolate as much as anyone—but it is a holiday that, for kids, might as well be called Self-Esteem-Busting Day.I'd like to say that I don't celebrate it...
On Disabilities and Excellence
Excuses, excuses, excuses. I can still hear my mom chiding me for trying desperately (and often to no avail) to explain my side of any particular story. Growing up, there were no legitimate excuses. There were bad excuses (I overslept; he hit me first), worse excuses...
Eema, What’s Your Career?
"Eema, what's your career?" my younger son (age 9) asked on the way home from summer camp. I decided quickly to turn the question back on him, hoping for either a teachable moment or an entertaining answer. "What do you think I do?" I asked. "I know you make...