The Being Place

10/29/2025

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

You still have time to move forward with your aspirations.

At age 57 Louise Hays was bouncing checks.

Col. Sanders was living out of his car.

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Steven Covey hadn't ever published a book.

And renowned American folk artist didn't even begin her painting career until the youthful age of 78.

It's going to be okay.

10/16/2025

🌿 Look At Your Past With “Kindsight” 🌿
You are learning and learning is never a mistake.

We all have experiences which challenged and tested us. Some regrets are there, no doubt.

But what if, just WHAT IF we decided to look more kindly at ourselves for those decisions we made at that time?

It’s easy to see how we can improve on things in retrospect. But what if we TRULY realized we were doing the absolute best we could at that time?

And whatever you want to chalk up the faulty decision making to — whether that’s youthful immaturity, lack of knowledge, or, perhaps, just plain deceit from other people — is it possible you could choose to acknowledge you truly did the best you could?

Because you did, even if you need to admit the best wasn’t that good.

All of that is in the past now.

What you have for you now, though, is that experience to guide you to a better today.

You have learned from your experiences — and learning is NEVER a mistake. 💫

💭 If this resonates with you, drop a ❤️ or share it with someone who needs that reminder today.



Brenda writes about connection, resilience, and the quiet moments that remind us what it means to be human.

10/15/2025

My favorite time to shop for groceries is first thing in the morning.

The sun hasn't fully stretched awake yet.

The air is still soft and quiet.

And the aisles? Practically empty.

There's something sacred about it . It's like I'm getting a private moment with the world before it starts spinning at full speed.

The produce is crisp. The workers have perfectly stocked the shelves. And I can move slowly, breathe deeply, and just be.

But here's what I love even more about those early hours: the people who make the store come alive.

When it's quiet, I get to see them. Really see them.

Long lines or loud announcements do not rush them.

They're just people, easing into their day, same as me.

During the pandemic, I got to know grocery store employees more sincerely. Many reached out for support through their Employee Assistance Programs.

They talked about managing conflict at work. About keeping a household together. About trying to homeschool kids while stocking shelves and staying safe.

I learned then, and I'm often reminded, that these are some of the most resilient people in our communities.

This week, I made one of those early morning runs again.

And I'm so glad I did.

I talked with a woman I've seen for years but never really met.

I finally asked, "How long have you been working here?"

She smiled and said, "This was my first job when I immigrated to the U.S. I've been here seven years now."

Seven years, including the pandemic years.

I thanked her for showing up, day after day, year after year.

Then I asked, "What kind of work did you do before moving here?"

She laughed softly.

"Oh, something very different. I was an archaeologist."

An archaeologist. Now she's working in a grocery store.

She told me her specialty was the Greco-Roman era, and that it's been hard to find others who share that same passion here.

Our conversation ended when another customer called her away. But that brief exchange stayed with me.

The next time I saw her, her smile carried something new.

A sense of being seen.

And maybe mine did too.

That moment reminded me: connection doesn't have to be grand or planned.

It can be as simple as pausing long enough to ask, "How long have you been here?"

Every person has a story.

And sometimes, it's waiting right there in aisle five.

If this story resonated with you, take a moment this week to notice someone you see often but haven't really met.

Ask them something tangible.

Listen without rushing.

You might walk away with more humanity than you expected.

Brenda, a therapist and coach, writes about connection, resilience, and the quiet moments that remind us what it means to be human.

Photo by Jorge Martinez: https://lnkd.in/dNuFUREm

08/20/2025

Pick one object in your field of vision

Really look at it. See it's color. Perhaps touch it to experience its texture. Maybe it even has an odor.

Ponder all the miracles that occurred for it to be with you in this moment. Consider all the places. people, and processes it traveled to arrive in your space.

Experience gratitude for life and that you were present for it today.

08/14/2025

"Courage is walking into the unknown until it becomes known."

Change is a constant companion in our lives, whether it manifests as a lost job or the transition of children progressing to the next chapter of their journeys.

What truly counts is our continuous stride forward, crafting responses based on our acquired knowledge, fostering personal growth that ripples positively not just within us but also to those around us.

What uncertainties are you navigating this week?

08/12/2025

If you should happen to be a victim of a Reduction in Force (RIF) or unceremoniously asked to leave your post at your workplace for whatever reason, treat the event as if you’ve come across someone who has gone into cardiac arrest.

Surprisingly, the instructor who taught me in the most recent American Heart Association’s Basic Life Saving course I took had advice that was sage enough to be applied to many life-altering events.

Similarly, just as you would jump into action to perform Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on a heart attack victim, it’s essential to respond immediately, in the case of a job loss, and perform Career Production Resuscitation.

As we practiced on our tabletop dummy, our instructor, Oscar, with Ready, Set, Save CPR, prompted us with vital principles and these three resonated with me as principles that could be applied to many situations.

First, be aggressive with your actions. We might break a rib bone during our CPR attempts, but we will save a victim’s brain by ensuring a flow of oxygen and blood.

Second, if you’ve discovered that you’ve made an error in how you’re treating the victim, remember, self-correction is key. Immediately adjust your approach and continue working towards a positive future outcome.

Thirdly, if you discover yourself having a cardiac event and you’re alone, make every effort you can to get outside where your chances of being found by someone who can help you increase.

Just as these essential principles of CPR guide us in saving a life, they can also serve as a roadmap for navigating the challenges of a job loss, empowering you to take proactive steps toward recovery and future success.

Should your position be eliminated or your manager discharge you from your position, then ensure a future positive outcome by applying the same CPR principles to your Career Productivity Resuscitation plan.

First, be proactive as soon as possible and realistic about the effort required to network within your community and complete the tasks of applying and interviewing for a new position. Accept that filling out applications is a tedious task, and you’ll need to surrender to the idea that however many you think is a lot won’t be enough.

Second, whatever errors you made in the past may require examination, but only with the focus on self-correction and for the achievement of future goals. Hey, you can’t (and if you’re honest about it, you likely won’t want to) go back to that previous employer. Understand your past, but don’t dwell on it. It will be a nonproductive use of your time, which should be devoted to your current activities and future outcomes. This is your journey, and you have the power to steer it in the right direction.

Thirdly, don’t conduct your job search journey alone. There’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Change is a part of life, and a job change is only one feature of the parts of life you’ll be participating in. If a job loss occurs, present yourself on public forums in a professional manner so that people can offer their assistance. Remember, your online presence is your professional identity, so maintain it with care. If you do this, then your chances of career survival will increase, and you’ll have a story to tell others that could help them feel reassured if it happens to them.

08/05/2025

😊Thought for the day....

Question: If someone offers you a gift and you decline it, who maintains possession of the gift?

Answer: The person who offered it to you.

Replace the word gift with insult or unfair criticism.

If someone offers you an insult, and you refuse to accept it, who maintains possession of it? Right, the person who tried to give it to you.

My hope for you today is that you accept only that which is truly beneficial for you and others.

07/31/2025

Emotions are a normal part of the human experience.

They're here to provide information about ourselves.

Yet many people weren't provided specific instruction on what messages our feelings might be trying to convey or the action we should consider taking.

Here are some ideas about feelings. What would you add?

Graphic Credit: The Wholehearted School Counselor

07/30/2025

In a recent conversation, a colleague shared feeling nervous and anxious around a specific co-worker. Rather than fixating on these emotions, we chose to reframe the situation as an opportunity for skill development.

The conversation pivoted towards refining the art of delivering presentations to audiences that may not provide positive feedback. This new perspective underscores the importance of actively improving skills to enhance professionalism in the workplace, focusing on tangible growth metrics over emotional responses.

By embracing skill enhancement, individuals can boost their confidence and transition from passively accepting unfriendly interactions to proactively building their competencies.

07/28/2025

Grief Tip: Choose one thing to nurture this week.
A plant, a relationship, your sleep, your hydration.

When experiencing change or loss, nurturing even the smallest thing can help rebuild your inner world.



Photo by Mikhail Nilov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-elderly-woman-in-black-leggings-sitting-on-yoga-mat-while-drinking-water-7530609/

07/23/2025

"Together After the Flood" continues to meet weekly for the next 6 weeks to provide a centering, checking in time and space for anyone impacted by the floods.

Please join us....

This ongoing group is generously provided by our facilitators free of charge to the community. Please consider supporting this program to help us sustain and grow these services.

07/21/2025

Check in: How did Monday land for you?