I’ve been hearing a lot of stink over this toyless Happy Meal story. Maybe I can put the whole thing in perspective. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU16EBurb1Q&fs=1&hl=en_US] First, here’s the AP to tell you what happened to the beloved Happy Meal in San Francisco: Unhealthy kids’ meals to get less ‘happy’ in San Francisco San Francisco has …
When I get tired and angry, I have this wall I put up. Erin is usually the one who crashes into it. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpAbUvl3eTk&fs=1&hl=en_US] She’s been building a freelance editing business for the past year, and the hours she puts in would kill a lesser person. I’ve taken on a lot of extra things …
This weekend a friend asked if I worry about passing the “crazies” on to my children. The answer: Every day. But here’s why I don’t despair about it like I used to. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZeybYbTblM&fs=1&hl=en_US] First, a few facts: Some of my quirks were definitely passed down to me from my parents. The OCD comes …
This post is about something I should have told someone 14 years ago — a long overdue nod of appreciation. Mood music: [spotify:track:13SlzLb33cggKzAeeLONts] When someone commits suicide, the guilt-stricken survivors obsess about why they didn’t catch on to their loved one’s depression sooner so they could have helped. That was me after my friend Sean …
Today is my sister Wendi’s 43rd birthday. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the day than to explain what she’s been through and how far she has come. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MceneYWgPc4&fs=1&hl=en_US] A Sister’s Battle with Depression This blog is chock full of my own experiences with depression and addiction. I even hint here and …
Two things can doom a kid to a future of depression and addiction: Overprotective parents and clueless school districts. This is a post about both. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dW8_qOjzQ&fs=1&hl=en_US] Neither case is one of evil. It’s about good intentions gone wrong. I think of the old saying, “The path to hell is paved with good intentions.” …
In my journey through Faith and recovery, I hear the word “surrender” over and over again. I used to hate the word for the same reason you might hate it. To surrender means to give up, toss in the towel and go home defeated, right? Not exactly. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e04OBJzbvc&fs=1&hl=en_US] Let’s see if I can …
I’ve spent many years worrying — assuming, really — that various people hated me for some of the things I’ve done. This year, I’ve been realizing what a waste of worry it’s been. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FPBi9N9hNc&fs=1&hl=en_US] By definition — my definition, anyway — OCD is worry out of control. You worry about all kinds of …
A friend of mine asked Facebook friends if it’s right to cut ties with someone you care about when the relationship is too laden with dysfunction. I’ll keep the person’s name out to protect privacy, but it’s something I’ve had to confront in my long, messy road to recovery from mental illness and addiction. So …
In every marriage there are arguments. They can be good for you, but only if you learn to do it with skill. I’m working on it, but I’m not there yet. Mood music for this post: “Hysteria” by Def Leppard: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SluRyO4EA4&hl=en_US&fs=1] I’ve always steered clear of this topic because nobody likes to talk about arguments …
