Thinking Out Loud

Typically, we don’t think of conversation as a creative activity, but it is. Consider these dictionary definitions:

Conversation is a form of interactive, spontaneous communication between two or more people. Typically it occurs in spoken communication.

Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a literary work or a painting). Read More

In most posts, I try to express something positive that has value in creating forward momentum. That’s another way of saying that I don’t like to write about what I don’t like or what drives me crazy. It comes across as venting, and I already do enough of that with family and friends. So, with that lead-in, I want to talk about two things that are currently driving me crazy.

I’ll start with grit.  Read More

The first Evolution of Psychotherapy conference was in Phoenix, 1985. I was eager to attend and previously had never been to a major conference. I bought some decent luggage from Lands End to help me feel like I belonged at what sounded like a lofty event.

People like Carl Rogers, Carl Whittaker, and James Masterson would be there, sharing their experience and wisdom. To be in the same room with folks of their stature was intimidating and an honor.  Read More

Tone of voice affects all of us, perhaps more so to those of us with greater auditory sensitivity. The auditory component of our communication style is tricky because how we hear our voice is not how others hear it. For one thing, it literally sounds different: We hear the sound internally, through  tissues and bone. We also know how we feel when we express ourselves and the intention behind the words.  Read More