Hearing Out Life Drama Blog

Give the Gift of Being Heard: Holiday Listening Appointments for Connection and Renewal

The holidays bring reflection, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for those who have been by our side. For many, it’s also a time to pause, regroup,...

Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of life, whether they arise with a partner, friend, colleague, or family member. These conversations can feel daunting, but they also hold the potential to deepen understanding and strengthen...

I was about 10 when an adult in my world made a racist joke. Softly, I looked at them and asked with sincerity, “Do you really believe that Black people are all that different from you?” It brought them up short, and they shook their...

I was in graduate school taking a course on creativity when one day, our professor had us play musical chairs. It came down to the last two people. The music stopped, and as one student went to sit down, the other moved the chair, causing them to...

We've all been there—dealing with someone who just seems to rub us the wrong way. It could be a colleague, a family member, or even a stranger who crossed your path at the wrong moment. It’s human nature to feel frustration or even...

Failure is often seen as something to be avoided at all costs, a word loaded with negative connotations. When we even hear the word, we feel uncomfortable. Many of us are conditioned to believe that failure is a sign of inadequacy, but what if we...

We all encounter hard things in life, whether it’s a difficult project at work, navigating relationships, or simply pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones. Doing hard things often feels uncomfortable and even impossible at times, but...

What do you do when mistakes happen? Because they will.

Every adult knows that no matter how well things are planned, something is bound to go wrong eventually. It could be a missed school project, a forgotten appointment, or an overlooked chore....

“Let’s all smash clay pots together in our minds. Picture this: we’re on a large, open slab of concrete in a calm, scenic place. Surrounding us are hundreds of clay pots, and we’re all allowed to smash as many as we want....

Bullying is rampant in American culture today. It’s a problem that stretches far beyond schoolyards and playgrounds. While we often think of bullying as something that only happens to children, the reality is much more complex. In fact,...

When you think of a creative person, what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision an artist painting a masterpiece, a musician composing a symphony, or a writer crafting a novel. These are, of course, quintessential examples of creativity. But what if...

Just as a snow fence helps channel snow to where it will do the best good and least harm, so do boundaries help us in our daily personal and professional lives. Boundaries are more than just barriers; they are a form of self-care. They help us...

Horns honk, crowds bustle, kids shout—life is noisy and fast-paced, and it can be overwhelming. Every day, news articles point out the harm of that stress. But as someone living in this world, what can you do about it?

Finding Calm with...

“I want to hit the trifecta.  Time, money and the health to enjoy it,” a friend said to me.  While the trifecta may be out of reach, there’s much good to be found in retirement.  This blog post will reflect on the...

The time has come.  The ones you’ve nurtured to adulthood are about to be on their own.  

Encouraging Independence: Letting Them Find Their Way on Their Own

When our children grow up and move out, they will be confronted with...

If they haven’t yet, schools will be starting up soon. And parents everywhere want their children to be able to learn their best. This article will focus on one aspect that you can take to help your student in all subjects, regardless of...

Yesterday, I started to have mean words come out of my mouth, and I stopped myself.  The people in the room said, “Say it.”  Which took me back.  I knew they were being honest asking for my truth.  I reiterated...

What is Scaffolding for Teens

I once heard psychologist Aimee Yermish use this example from The Princess Bride to explain scaffolding in a presentation.  She was using the idea of teaching young people to make telephone calls.  

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It was fun to play with two tin cans and a string to communicate with our friends when we were young.  Even though we could usually hear them without the cans.  As adults, however, communication can be more...

This is a feeling that doesn’t just happen when you’re a kid.  In fact, it’s so common that Time magazine wrote about it in 2016, and in recent days it’s a common theme it’s popped up again in social media. ...

“I need to go to the hospital.”

“I’ll be there in 45 minutes.” Which meant she was walking out the door as she was talking. I was having complications in my second pregnancy. She came to get my older daughter, so that...

Noah Kahan sings,  “I’m still angry at my parents for what their parents did to them”

My mother was always so angry at her parents, especially her mother, so this line resonates with me. I’d like to think each...

“You never write. You never call.”  Some parents say this to their adult children. It’s an expression of powerlessness. If the complaint is offered repetitively, it’s no wonder they don’t initiate contact!

What...

The world seems very divided these days. Wars are evidence of it. Our political climate is evidence of it. A rise in anger is evidence as well. It seems like a very good time to emphasize the importance of listening. It’s hard to stay angry...