Couples in Distress: Practicing Patience Opens the Heart

Couples often ask each other questions during counseling; when a question refers to an issue or problematic dynamic in the relationship, the person asking the question expects a response that will add clarity or provide information in order to move forward.  Unfortunately, a clarification is not always forthcoming;   “I don’t know why I did that” or “I don’t know why I got so angry” may be the response.  While the questioner may feel that his or her partner is being withholding or spiteful, it’s usually more complicated than that.

Don’t Strive for Perfection: Strive for Acceptance

As human beings, we excel in certain areas, while in other areas, we don’t. Sometimes, we place painful judgments on ourselves if and when we ‘don’t measure up’. It’s fine to have reasonable expectations of ourselves—with a focus on improving our competency; where we get into trouble is when don’t accept the outcome;  non-acceptance can become a recipe for misery.

“We Were Here” The AIDS Years in San Francisco

A Resilient Community’s Response to a Devastating Epidemic

Several weeks ago, I saw the wonderful documentary, We Were Here. Directed by David Weissman, the film chronicles the HIV/AIDS epidemic in San Francisco in the 80s when the gay community was experiencing the devastation of this yet-to-be named disease. Five interviewees told their compelling personal stories of how they were affected and transformed by the epidemic.