Commentary
-
MARK YOUR TERRITORY
Waiting for a restroom in New York City recently, this sign caught my attention. I recognized the man and woman, but thought the middle symbol was a sink with a mirror. Two 20-something women waiting behind me, began talking about the sign. So, I listened. “Oh my God, the woman’s top looks like an electrical outlet. Like you… Read more
-
INVISIBLE STRINGS
I have had a recurring dream since the age of 5. I’m in a schoolyard with other children and trying to climb up a fence. The teacher is yelling at me to, “Come Down!” With immense mental effort, I begin to rise very slowly. My feet hover just above the teacher’s outstretched hands. It takes… Read more
-
JUDGE THE COVER, MISS THE BOOK
Just when I think I’m seeing things clearly, I get thrown a curve ball. As I enter the produce section of Trader Joe’s, there is a man fondling the bananas. Yes, fondling. He eventually pulls off only one. I’m intrigued. His clothes are ill fitting and shabby and the seat of his trousers seems oil… Read more
-
LIGHT IT UP
As a therapist, I’ve seen my share of suicides, psychotics, schizophrenics and other tortured souls: Men and women abusing each other or themselves. Couples with unrealistic expectations of their partners. Addicts unable to stop using drugs, eating food or watching porn and a populace that has seemingly lost its’ purpose. Recently, a teenager told me… Read more
-
RANDOM OR RIGGED?
My neighbor saw this hole in my tree and thought I drilled it. I explained a woodpecker made it. When he still looked at me quizzically, I replied, ‘I watched him do it.’ Sometimes the conclusions we draw have no connection to the truth. Franklin D. Roosevelt believed that if you said, ‘rabbit rabbit,’ the… Read more
-
LOVE? OR SOMETHING LIKE IT?
This is my picture of unconditional love: a dog cruising down the highway with the window open, smiling and waving at everyone who passes. Love is arguably the only feeling that makes you, ‘able to leap tall buildings’ and get weak in the knees at the same time. But it’s ephemeral. Try to hold on too tightly… Read more
-
PUT A RING ON IT
While the country swirls in chaos, I’ve gone Zen and purchased the Oura ring, pictured above. It watches over me silently. It knows how much I sleep, how good that sleep is and even reminds me when it’s time for bed. It also seems to know what I am doing at any given moment. Recently,… Read more
-
HIGHER THAN A KITE
Lately, I’ve had a plethora of couples come for counseling. When it comes to frustration with a partner, age, apparently has no limitation. I have couples who’ve been married from two to 40-plus years. Interestingly, all of them have these three things in common: 1. They think they know each other really well, but definitely do… Read more
-
“EVERYTHING CHANGES. EVEN STONE” –Monet
Each year, as I inch closer to death, the more I crave life. It’s as if I know there are only a certain number of steps left on my feet so I MUST keep moving them. I dance down the aisles of the supermarket, sing at full volume, breathe in every flower in my path, and revel… Read more
-
WANT SUCCESS IN OLD AGE? START YOUNG
You’d think given all the time we have to prepare for old age we’d be ready for it when it comes. Nope. Sometimes on a perfectly lovely day as the sun splashes its’ golden beams upon me, I suddenly picture myself really old. My voice is weak and my hands unsteady. I am so wrinkled… Read more
AGEFULLY AGING 