We're Moving!

My husband John and I are downsizing. Our lease is up at our Seven Hills office, and we decided to relocate to a smaller practice in North Royalton, Ohio. We are joining Royalton Psychological Associates and will continue seeing counseling clients there. We are retaining our business name--Northcoast Conflict Solutions. I will work two days a week there, and John the remaining days. We are very excited about the prospect of working part-time and spending more time with our family. Thank you for your support and encouragement these last 16 years at NCS. As the holidays approach, we wish each of you good health, close family ties and success in your career. And every now and then, please say a prayer for us as we continue to find God's path for our lives and for those we counsel. Blessings!

Post-election grumblings

I don't know about you, but my parents never discussed politics and NEVER told us for whom they were voting. It was like a sacred secret, and I still keep my ballot choices to myself to this day. Now, almost everyone seems not only to have an opinion which they proudly and loudly display on FB and elsewhere, and the discourse is anything but civil from most of what I've read. Since I first began voting after high school, I don't recall an election so divisive and scurrilous as that which we just experienced. I just read in the news that people in 15 states have filed to secede from the United States. And Tom Head, a Texas Judge, predicts a possible civil war among the states. God forbid. We are each entitled to our opinion. But when did this sense of entitlement lead to such rage, such vituperation, such vile polarization that people would go to such lengths as this? We are not red states and blue states. We are the United States. I for one am appalled and, I might add, a little scared, to consider any other option than reconcilliation and unity.

Malala Yousufzai--My newsest inspiration

I haven't blogged since February. I'll blame it on writere's block. But Malala Yousufzai, the 14 year old who was shot by the Taliban, has grabbed my attention. Fighting for her life now in an England hospital, Malala had the courage and passion to speak up for education for girls in Pakistan. Would any young American girl do the same here if education wasn't handed to our kids on a silver platter? What we take for granted, other little girls are willing to die for. Same world; different rules. I pray for Malala's full recovery. Every elhi school teacher in America should use Malala as an inspiration. I surely do.

Is your child engaged or enraged?

We've seen with horror in Chardon, Ohio how one enraged child in an instant could cause so much trauma which rippled out quickly into the community. Imagine how much good could come from one "engaged" child... engaged in family life, engaged in school/ community service/ church. We need to have deep conversations with our kids when they seem down, lost, struggling. One child can make such a difference.

This usually begins with one adult noticing when something is off with a child and getting involved quickly in her/his life.

But everyone else does it

As many of you know, former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is standing trial for a host of crimes. He is quoted as saying, "I only did what everyone else is doing." That's the defense that most fourth graders use when trying to wiggle out of a consequence.

Whether found innocent or guilty, Dimora and his cronies need to re-learn what their parents tried to teach them as children. Be your own person. Tell the truth. Think for yourself. Don't cheaat others. Play fair. Develop a conscience.

What shall I wish you?

To those who love the art of a deal, who will be first in line on Black Friday, who have to have the biggest, baddest electronic gadget, who think nothing of asking employees to be at their stations Thanksgiving evening, to you I wish Happy Shopping.

To those who value family time, easing into the holiday rush and not caving into the media frenzy surrounding the greed that drives this marketing machine, I wish Happy Thanksgiving.

Make a Difference Today

This morning I read an interesting post by John DiJulius III:

What if Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Howard Schultz, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, The Beatles, Nelson Mandela, or Muhammad Ali choose to be ordinary? What would the world be like today?

Mother Teresa once said, "We are not here to do great things, only small things with great love." However we look at it, we have the power to make an ordinary day extraordinary in our own small corner of the world. Think about it.

DailyGood: The Third Side of a Conflict

DailyGood: The Third Side of a Conflict

Good vs. Evil: Age-old Story Continues

Yesterday, in an ironic juxtaposition of headlines, Pope John Paul was beatified as Osama Bin Laden was killed.

As old as recorded history, themes of good vs. evil weave through our literature, politics, business, religions and relationships.

Every newborn enters this world pure and innocent. At what point does one begin making choices for good or for bad? What turns a person from decisions based on compassion, social justice, fairness and love to a life of greed, revenge, entitlement and hatred?

To that question is no easy answer, and the good vs. evil saga will continue. Across the globe, I believe there are more humanitarians than terrorists. The former don't often make the headlines.

Criminals are better behaved..."

Last month, my friend Charlie Feliciano, Jr. and I were discussing his criminal law practice and our mediation practices' updates. At first I was surprised by his comment that "criminals are better behaved than many court mediations I've handled."

Giving it some thought, I see where he's coming from. The felons and other law-breakers in Charlie's practice know that he is often their one chance at court leniency and a fair trial. They are prepped as to what to wear, what to say or not say, their overall demeanor and courtesy before the judge.

By contrast, many divorcing couples often filled with contempt for their partners, lose all sense of propriety and civility in court before the magistrate or judge. These prolonged diatribes often lead court officials to refer cases to mediation where the bad behavior continues.

We see a huge difference with our private, non-court divorce mediation clients. Some couples are a joy to work with, because they get down to business respectfully with each other and the mediator, and even when emotions run high, they can be reigned back in.

My husband John often says, "Peacemaking is not for wimps." New mediators entering the field must know that they will see their share of the good, the bad and the ugly. Even though criminals may be better mannered in court, we still prefer to help divorcing couples find another way to communicate through mediation--both an art and a science.