http://www.ashleydavisbush.com Transitions and Loss Counseling, PLLC Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:45:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I recently read the excellent book Enjoy Every Sandwich:  Living Each Day As If It Were Your Last by Lee Lipsenthal, MD.  Lee was a doctor, diagnosed with esophagal cancer, who proceeded to write a book about what he was learning in the process of facing his mortality.  What makes ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/endings/bucket-list/ My fourteen year old daughter has got modern multi-tasking down to a fine art.  I might not have believed it possible until I saw it in action:  she can watch a television program on her laptop, a music video on her tablet, and a text beckoning on her iphone, all ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/teenagers/the-gift-of-presence/ Sarah sat across from me with tears streaming down her face.  Her husband was killed in a car accident three years ago and now she had entered into the first romantic relationship since her husband's death.  "I don't understand how I can love someone new when I still love my ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/endings/a-new-relationship/ I recently listened to a guided meditation that was not only interesting, but quite enlightening.  The soft female voice asked me to "jump into my partner's body."  I thought to myself, What?  "Don't think too hard about it, just leap," she continued. So I 'leapt' into Dan's body.   From this new ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/inner-world/peaceful-relationships/ Life is filled with lots of different kinds of moments. Some moments feel stressful and overwhelming. Some moments are heartbreakingly sad. A few moments are 'million dollar moments' -- mountain top experiences -- such as weddings, births of children, graduations, promotions . . . or book launches. For me, I'm thrilled ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/gratitude/celebrating-the-moment/ I watched, amused, as the young man spoke through gritted teeth, "Just take the picture!"  This man-child had his arm around his mother's shoulders while his father snapped a picture saying, "You don't start college every day, you know.  Smile."  The younger man sighed with exasperation and walked briskly away, ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/teenagers/ending-a-chapter-beginning-a-new/ Often when I get up in the morning, just as I begin the routine of showering, dressing, and eating, I am halted by my Zen master.  He insists that I stop, and asks me to be mindfully aware of the moment.  He stretches his black, furry body and meows. Yes, my ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/inner-peace/living-with-a-zen-master/ I placed a phone call to an elderly woman who was recently widowed.  When the answering machine picked up, I didn't hear the customary greeting of "We're not home; leave a message."  Instead, I heard a voice say boldly, "Donald left this earth on February 26th but I'm happy to ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/general/grateful-grieving/ I just returned with my family from an overseas vacation.  Traveling as a party of two adults, four teenagers, and one child is no easy feat, but we had a wonderful time.  Adventures were a daily affair as we drove across Croatia, exploring medieval towns.   Being away, I developed a palpable ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/gratitude/an-attitude-of-gratitude/ My first born child, my oldest daughter, is graduating from high school this month.  Thirty years ago, I also crossed a stage, mortarboard on my head, and reached for my high school diploma.  I bear witness to the cycle of life. Although I happily leave much of high school behind me, ... http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/inner-world/living-deeply/