Have you ever had black days? Days when you wanted to see nobody and do nothing, even the things you like best? If this happens once in a while, you could call it sadness. But if it lasts for more than three or four days it is known as depression. Depression is not a weakness, but a medical malfunction that takes away your control, and there are two major types. One is triggered by specific events like a death in the family, loss of a job, an injury that affects your ability to function as you typically would. read more

ART- Why Community Matters

There’s a special kind of joy that happens in groups.  We find our greatest times of happiness in moments of collective effervescence.  It’s a concept coined by the sociologist Emile Durkheim to describe the sense of energy and harmony people feel when they come together in a group around a shared purpose. Human beings aren’t meant to be alone.  Community is critical to our health and well-being.  read more

There are three stages of transitions: Letting Go of the Old Way, the In-Between, and Accepting the New Way.  These stages are not linear and logical.  We move back and forth, they overlap, are fluid and sometimes we have several transitions going on at one time.   read more

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But what exactly does it mean for light to overcome darkness? So much of this season seems focused on connecting with the positive and celebratory states of happiness, joy, and abundance, from the music played and parties planned to the meals prepared and gifts given. Yet, these states of mind and heart can be hard to connect to for individuals who may also be experiencing hardship and difficulty this time of year. read more