Author: dawn

This author has written 38 articles
Choices

in the driver’s seat

    I don’t know if this is part of the driving test, but witnessing it makes it seem worth asking. What would you do if you were driving along in the left lane, and a car (let’s call him “Trouble”) came speeding up behind you? Would you: A) Stay in your lane, slow to a crawl and pump your brakes so Trouble is forced to either pass you or hit you. B) Quickly move to the right and let Trouble pass. If you chose A: You may feel the need to prove yourself. Consequently, you may experience ongoing challenges…

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November 24, 2019
Faith

Lost and Found: Email-Interview with Father Kevin Walsh

I wasn’t even looking for them, and I found them!  Two gift cards.  In the process of clearing out the closet, there they were.  I love moments like that.  What could be better? Well, there may be a few things better than a couple of gift cards.  As we enter this holiday season, I thought this would be the perfect time to share Father Kevin Walsh’s email-interview, particularly with those who may themselves be feeling lost during this time. Father Kevin is the Pastor of Culpeper’s Precious Blood Catholic Church.  So much more valuable than a gift card, Father Walsh…

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November 24, 2019
Change / Loss

Making A Change

  These last couple of weeks have really been something.  The Washington Nationals won the World Series but a well-loved dog passed away.  Old friends enjoyed a chance encounter, but the Washington Redskins lost…again.   A brother passed away unexpectedly, but a niece is newly married.  A cousin is finally home from the hospital, but a neighbor is struggling with a difficult medical problem. So many big races were won and lost too in this week’s elections.  And on top of it all, Brandy Station’s Shiloh Baptist Church burned. On their face, these events may seem unrelated, with some clearly bad…

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November 24, 2019
Responsibility / Youth Well Being

I think I can

Someone close to me once told me, “The difference between you and many others is that you really believe you can do just about anything”. Wow. Even as I sit here struggling with so many things, she was right. I do believe that ultimately, I will figure it out. Where did this come from? It came from the combination of teachers, priests, aunts and uncles, parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors throughout my life. Luckily for me, the majority of those placed before me understood the responsibility of each moment they spent with me as a child. They understood that every…

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November 24, 2019
Faith / Fear

Faith in the face of fear

  She’s almost all grown up.  But I still worry.  And each time I do, she reminds me not to.  Really, I should know better by now.  Forgive me if you’ve already heard this story, but here’s the reason why.    Almost 13 years ago, I got the call I had always feared. She was five years old and they didn’t know where she was. As I drove to her school, all I thought was “if only”, and “what if”. In between I screamed and prayed for me. Then I cried and prayed for her. I begged God to bring her…

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October 30, 2019
Fear / Intuition

Afraid of the dark?

  If you happened to be out and about earlier this week, you may have caught sight of how big and full the moon was in the night sky.  Waxing and waning through its phases, it seemed to be begging to be noticed.  I recalled childhood memories of riding in the family car, perceiving the moon illuminating our way as we headed home.  Without knowing why, I knew there was something comforting about that.  My daughter teased me, suggesting that I must have felt like the center of the universe, with the moon revolving around little old me.  Maybe, maybe…

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October 30, 2019
Acceptance / Death

Seasons of Life

I’ve always considered myself to be a “spring girl”.  I always loved the chirping of the birds, the floral scents and the warmth of the sun returning to our longer days.  There is so much hope in spring.  Things are coming alive and are so brand new.  That sense of anticipation, hope and optimism leaves me feeling like everything wonderful is possible. But then last week happened.  Suddenly I was reminded that very soon I was going to be cold. Of course, I know it’s coming. If pressed, I might even admit that it’s probably time for it.  But I…

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October 30, 2019
Well-Being

Coaching: Email-Interview with yours truly

Normally I email-interview someone living and/or working a specific aspect of wellness and well-being.  However, due to some unforeseen difficulties, today that somebody is me. I am often asked questions about my work providing Psychological Coaching, so I thought I would share some of those answers with you. What is Coaching? I think of coaching as a dance. It is a chance for you to find your own rhythm and harmony.  People typically consider coaching when something in their lives is feeling off balance, uncomfortable or unmanageable.  As I see it, coaching is a way for a person to find…

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October 4, 2019
Nature / Stillness

Nature’s Way

  This one stopped me dead in my tracks.  I had been hurriedly walking from one point in town to the other, rushing from one appointment to the next.  And then there she was.  Completely out of place, this praying mantis sat (or maybe she was standing) on the driveway of a Main Street business.  What was she doing here in the middle of all this hustle and bustle?  She should have been hidden away on a green leaf somewhere.  But instead here she was shining brightly in all her green glory against the dingy white of Culpeper’s concrete jungle. …

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October 4, 2019
Balance / Values

Life Is But A Dream

  My son hurt his ankle, my back went out, the fish died, and the remote stopped working.   But worst of all, my little doggy was doused in hot tea.  And I’m so thankful. It really was a horrible scene.  She had been underfoot, enjoying the promise of a dropped morsel.  Thankfully she was ok.  In fact, while frantically trying to flush her body with cool water, my Merrily was distracted by the smell of cooked bacon.  Relieved to see that she had forgiven and forgotten what must have felt like a betrayal, I gave her the bacon.  I’m pretty…

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October 4, 2019