Latest Episodes

Scent allergies: they're real and they suck!

Byizoldast November 16, 2015

When you live with an allergy or sensitivity that most people don’t know exists, it can be tough. I have a scent sensitivity. It is getting worse as I get older. I am not allergic. I will not die (unless I inhale too much smoke and my airway closes, which has happened once before and…

Finding Strength In Weakness

Byizoldast November 13, 2015

My thoughts this morning turn to finding strength in my weakness. I was working with clients over the weekend. One of them talked about how he felt weak and that he wanted to go back and be strong how he used to be. I said, “Wait, don’t try to go backward to find that strength….

Honoring my ancestors my way

Byizoldast November 2, 2015

In some spiritual traditions, at this time of year, people remember and celebrate their ancestors. We acknowledge our honored dead on All Hallows Eve, Day of the Dead, and All Saints Day. I always see a lot of, “I honor my grandparents,” and “You are here because of the love of thousands” sorts of posts…

change | peace | psychology | suicide | violence

May this be the day things change

Byizoldast October 2, 2015

Dare I comment on this? I’m afraid if I start, I won’t stop and will devolve into screaming. Somewhere, somehow, this madness has become a viable strategy for crackpots who aren’t happy with the number of dates they’ve gotten, what someone else worships, or worse because they woke up and decided they would like to…

Go at your own pace but show up.

Byizoldast September 23, 2015

Some people run marathons. Some people can bench press 250 pounds. Today, I am just happy that I was able to do 24 angled push-ups (three sets of eight) in my clap push-ups challenge and walk 2 miles without a cane. A couple of weeks ago I could do no more than three sets of five…

We are all in this together.

Byizoldast September 11, 2015

I’ve started this post numerous ways. And I, verbose as I am, have no words for this. Sometimes, I feel like some vital connection to all the other lives on this planet is slipping away. And that connection that used to be inherent must now be nurtured by all of us. Somehow, we have to…

Evaluation: Or How I Use My Time

Byizoldast August 18, 2015

Under the heading of: “If you can’t say something nice…” I just deleted a comment/critique of a divination tool a friend had posted. I think the concept for the tool is super cool. I think the execution is too general, pedantic, and tells you *exactly* what you already know (or should already know, like, “you…

Vacations: a vital part of life.

Byizoldast August 12, 2015

Why I take vacations I don’t do it often, but it turns out I need the recharge time. I’m crawling back to myself on this break. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my roles in the lives of my friends, my clients, my students, and the world at large. The big revelation? I…

A bikini and a swimming pool: A lesson in body image

Byizoldast August 11, 2015

(This might offend some, but it’s what I’m thinking about so consider yourselves warned.) I’m too much a product of my upbringing. And that saddens me. But, I’m so proud of the people in front of me, and that makes me weep joyful tears. I’m hanging out by the pool, and we are in “The…

Read like a writer? Not when you're a judge

Byizoldast August 2, 2015

Here’s something that’s making me go, “hmmm.” I am a judge in a writing contest. Yesterday, I finally had time to read through the entries and send in my evaluations. The process of judging catalyzed me into a realization I hadn’t foreseen. I spent the better part of all my education years doing some form…