Sigh.
August 8, 2025
Graduation Gift
I graduated High School this week. When my dad said he had a present for me I thought I was getting some cheesy graduation card. But what I received was something truly priceless. Following the ceremony he handed me a bag with a copy of “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Doctor Seuss inside. At first I just smiled and said that it meant a lot and that I loved that book. But then he told me, ‘No, open it up.’
On the first page I see a short paragraph written by none other than my kindergarten teacher. I start tearing up but I’m still confused. He tells me, ‘Every year, for the past 13 years, since the day you started kindergarten I’ve gotten every teacher, coach and principal to write a little something about you inside this book.’
“My early teachers mention my “pigtails and giggles” while my high school teachers mention my “wit and sharp thinking.” But they all mention my humor and love for life. It is astounding to receive something this moving, touching nostalgic and thoughtful.
—Stories of kindness
What a thoughtful father!
August 6, 2025
Posted in Life As a Shared Adventure
27 Comments
Why Has Nobody Ever Told Me This Before?
That’s the title of a book by Dr. Julie Smith.
I read it a while back and think it’s packed with great ideas. I’m dealing with something now so am reviewing what she suggests.
Here is Perplexity’s summary, with the footnotes taken out.:
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith is a highly practical and accessible guide to maintaining and improving mental health. Drawing on a decade of experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Smith distills the key strategies and insights she typically shares with clients. The book tackles everyday challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, motivation, stress, and self-doubt—providing actionable tools for coping and building resilience.
Key themes and takeaways from the book include:
Mental health maintenance: The book emphasizes that nurturing your mental health is as crucial as caring for your physical health. Dr. Smith encourages treating the mind like a muscle that benefits from daily care and attention.
Practical tools and exercises: Structured in modular sections, the book offers short chapters focused on topics like low mood, motivation, fear, grief, self-confidence, and criticism. Each section provides practical advice, such as journaling to challenge negative thoughts, using [breathing techniques] for anxiety, and making “good enough” decisions to break out of low-mood cycles.
Emotional awareness and needs: Dr. Smith teaches that emotions often signal unmet needs, and better emotional health starts with identifying and meeting those needs.
Accessibility: Written for a wide audience—students, parents, stressed professionals, and anyone seeking mental wellbeing—the book serves as a toolkit that democratizes access to psychological insights and self-care practices.
Evidence-based approach: The writing is concise and grounded in the latest psychological research, with examples, prompts, and exercises designed to encourage self-reflection and action rather than passive reading.
If you’re looking for an uplifting, actionable manual to help weather life’s emotional storms, develop resilience, or just better understand your mind, this book is widely recommended and described as “therapy 101”—filled with practical wisdom and tools for everyday life.
If you prefer videos, here is a good summary. There is a short advertisement in the middle.
August 5, 2025
Posted in Life As a Shared Adventure
24 Comments
You Just Can’t Predict
A blogger I follow thought he would be smart this summer, so he went to northern Finland to escape the heat. Instead he reported being miserable with mosquito bites and the hot, humid weather. The hot spell was unusual, which meant there was no air conditioning, of course. (I just checked the temperature now, it’s still humid but the temperature highs have dropped to the 60s F.)
You just can’t predict. Except for the mosquitoes?
August 3, 2025
Posted in Life As a Shared Adventure
26 Comments
800 Days!
Still plugging along. I also read a couple of comics in Spanish from time to time:
Pig: I’ve been on long walks and I’m not losing weight.
So I’m thinking about giving up and just sitting on my butt. But I’m not sure I should.Nike sign: Just do it.
Pig: Thanks, Nike.
I love the following one because of the expressions on Snoopy’s face. Click on the picture for higher resolution.
Olivier, the bird in the sleeping bag, couldn’t keep up with Snoopy’s troop. When he gets left behind Marcie thinks she has found a new species of worm, but Snoopy comes and takes the bird back to the troop.
For me it has to be fun, not work.
July 31, 2025
Posted in Life As a Shared Adventure
20 Comments
