The Bog of Mind: Self Help + Problem Solving

I have struggled big time trying to keep our house clutter-free and organized over the years. As I think about how all of that could change, I wonder what I've learned through this small-home experience. Let's find out, and let's also talk about planning for change. How can I plan if I don't know what the change will be? Well, I'm pretty good at imagining things so let's start there. :)

Is this the tiniest breakthrough for me personally and one that I can share with my budding young pianists? I think maybe it is and will keep working on it. I am feeling very encouraged about enjoying music as I play it for others.

I like doing these kinds of episodes because who doesn't need a quick list of dinner ideas to set themselves up for the next week or month? I will also highlight the best meals and give tips. Thanks for joining me again for this! I hope to publish these menu episodes all year long.

Here's a quick and fairy concise (yay!) review of Jack London's The Sea Wolf. I'm so glad I picked this one up and added it to my library. The mystery of the sea, the clash of philosophies and thought-provoking dialogue made for a truly fascinating read.

Are you over-analytical? Do you think too hard? Are you always trying to problem-solve? Listen to this and see if it helps you understand your own mind a little better. Also, do my 2 suggestions make sense?

Do you really know what you're afraid of? Are you accurately assessing the commitment you are about to make? Here are two things I get hung up on needlessly when it comes to working out possible new commitments.

Here's a short episode for those of you that have other things you need to get done but it's too overwhelming so you are distracting yourself with this podcast! Let's start something together!

"Did I do all the wrong things today since they weren't on my list?" What was the purpose of today? Are you easily discouraged with "what got done" in a day? You may be seeing things from the wrong perspective, or you are missing some things entirely. Maybe you put all the wrong things on your list. Let's talk about that, and how to bring back that feeling of accomplishment and purpose, no matter...

Take a quick trip with me on my self-help journey thus far. It started with realizing my weaknesses, being fed up with them, reading books, making changes, and passing that onto my kids. If any of it sticks, my kids will be so much better off than I was as I headed into adulthood.

I am a private school kid. It occurs to me that my perception on the public school system has changed over time as we have been a part of it. See what you think.

I've just finished a book of short stories by Ernest Hemingway. Find out why I picked this book and what my impressions were about this highly-regarded author.

I am most creative when I don't have a lot of options. When there's no time, I have to be creative about making time. If there's nothing to eat in the fridge, I have to examine fridge, pantry and freezer to come up with something new. If I am about to work on a piece of art but am not feeling inspired about how to begin, I put limitations on myself so that I am not overwhelmed with all of the poss...

The benefits of reading are indeed profound, but the reasons to read are not. Avid readers don't need to hear this, but if you struggle to sit down and enrich your mind with a good book, please listen to this. I will try to point you in the right direction and tell you exactly how I became an avid reader. I currently read self-help, history, war novels, biographies and short stories. Well, there's...

When a friend is dealing with something difficult, I feel a lot of pressure to find "the magic words" that make their problem go away, ease their grief, brighten their outlook. That's what friends are for, right? This conversation came up with my teenager the other day. And did I have the magic words for her? Well, not exactly. But that's the point.

What good were all those self-help books I read anyway? Well, I find myself talking to my kids about ways they can approach their weaknesses and how they can resolve bad habits. Maybe some of the tactics I have read about are not just for adults?! Try treating your child like an adult... you may be surprised at how they thrive on discipline and responsibility.

I have never been a great housekeeper and I live in a small house with five other people. I realized some things about myself and about my space. I looked at myself and my reality and wanted something to change. I read some good books that pointed me in the right direction. I was been encouraged by a professional organizer. I also managed to find some little helpers along the way, and life is a li...

After basically 6 months of very little culinary inspiration, I am finally back in the kitchen and have a whole month of menu ideas for you! Have a listen if you're not sure what's for dinner tonight. I bet you'll think of something.

I am still here and apparently a few new listeners have been by! Thanks for that. I think I'm just overall pretty excited about all the chaos in my life right now, and I will share that with you. I threw in a teeny-tiny book review and some successes I've had lately. Enjoy and hopefully take some inspiration along with you.

Hold on because this is a long one. I threw in an update on the goals I have right now related to fitness and workouts, then followed with a spontaneous review of the work a professional organizer did for us recently, and then fell headlong into a book review that was very rambly. But truly, Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America was a great read and could have otherwise been entitled,...

Look at me posting two reviews in one episode! These books are due back to the library today and I have no other segments ready so it's all about books this episode. The Emperor's General, by James Webb, is a war novel about fictional character Jay Marsh, who is privy to the real Douglas MacArthur. Before reading this book I knew very little of The General but I plan to read more as I pick up WWII...

So do you remember back when I was focusing on my running updates and more of the fitness stuff? Yeah, let's do a quick update on that. I was struggling with my routine and laid out the positives and negatives of what I was trying to do, and I share all that in this episode.

Hey there. It seems like I am mostly doing book reviews these days, but that just means I'm reading a lot and have lots to share, including all the new things I'm learning as I read non-fiction. Also today, let's talk about Christopher Columbus. He seems to be the latest historical figure that did some great things (that affect all of us every day) and is being thrown under the bus because he wasn...

So a few things have been working for me lately, related to just getting stuff done on a given day. I will tell you all about that and also review the longest book I have ever read in its entirety other than the Bible. All The King's Men is now one of my favorite books. I didn't expect to like it, and definitely did not expect to love it!

At long last I am posting this book review! I highly recommend the Call the Midwife book series.

I recently read a memoir written by Vietnam War Vet and former Democratic Senator from Virginia, James Webb. I enjoyed his style of writing and loved learning about life in a military family. This read has given me greater empathy for those families who are constantly on the move, going wherever directed by the military. The stories of his experience in Vietnam and then returning to civilian life...