IS THIS JUST POSITIVE-THINKING #$@!%

There’s an advantage to stepping back and taking a deep breath…perhaps gathering a bit clearer perspective.  I wrote the outline for this post three days ago when the experience was fresh and my emotions were a bit on edge.  I’ve cleaned it up and chosen more appropriate wording today.  I was frustrated, angry, and doing … Continue reading IS THIS JUST POSITIVE-THINKING #$@!%

MOVE THE CHAINS

WE’LL START WITH MICHAEL My last appointment on a Friday afternoon has consistently been Michael.  I’m not quite sure why I like him so much…he’s such a pain in my ass sometimes, but man, I’m really rooting for him to win in this life. Michael walked in yesterday wearing his usual big smile and we … Continue reading MOVE THE CHAINS

Not Feeling It Today…

We'll keep this one short... THERE MUST BE BALANCE The words in the picture above came into my mind about 2 minutes into my elliptical workout last night. I spent the morning and early afternoon looking forward to my workout that evening, but as the afternoon moved on, I began to feel mentally worn out. … Continue reading Not Feeling It Today…

A Follow-Up to “Hopeless”

This is a quick follow-up to my previous post Hopeless Has To Start Somewhere. I woke up this morning at a fork in the road: 1) delete the previous post (due to those skeletons in my closet), or 2) begin the process of developing what James Clear refers to in his book “Atomic Habits” as … Continue reading A Follow-Up to “Hopeless”

“Hopeless” has to start somewhere right?

CONTINUING WITH TRANSPARENCY The trouble with being transparent in posts like this is that those who may benefit from hearing this perspective may not be in a solution-focused mode…and if they come across this post, they may not be as likely to expend the energy reading it.  I know when I’m in “check-out mode”, you’re … Continue reading “Hopeless” has to start somewhere right?

TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE

https://giphy.com/gifs/season-6-the-simpsons-6x25-l2JedzvGOueS4E2tO As I woke this Sunday morning, I could tell I was in a place of deeper searching; my heart felt a heaviness…not depression (although I know that feeling well), but a yearning for connection with something of substance at my core.  Perhaps there was some residual effect lingering from last night.  THE LINCOLN LAWYER … Continue reading TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE

Reflections Outside the Courtroom

(This post was first published in March 2021. I came across it today as I was reflecting...I realized I had more to say.) Yesterday I received a call from a former probation client asking if I would appear in court this morning for his sentencing.  As we talked about his circumstances, I learned that after I … Continue reading Reflections Outside the Courtroom

SOMEONE WHO’LL BELIEVE IN ME

If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll know I returned to a job I left several years earlier as a probation officer.  This is a story motivated by one young man who grabbed my heart very quickly. It was day 3 of my return to probation and as I eased back into my groove in … Continue reading SOMEONE WHO’LL BELIEVE IN ME

The Man on the Street Corner

Several weeks ago, my path took a radical 180 and I found myself returning to a job I left several years ago.  When I informed a very close friend of my unexpected return to being a probation officer, his reaction somewhat annoyed me because he was excited.  See, I hadn’t wrapped my brain completely around … Continue reading The Man on the Street Corner