The Memorial Day holiday is a wonderful time to be with family and enjoy family traditions. The holiday is purposed to remember those who have lost their lives in service to our country. I think it is appropriate to read the declaration recently written by our President as a prayer...
Celebrating Moms in 2023
We have just celebrated Mother’s Day. Although it's quite a holiday for the greeting card and restaurant industries, I think it's appropriate to take some valuable time to celebrate who are moms are to us. It's an all-encompassing job. I thought about all the roles our moms, grandmoms, and mom-like...
How to Reduce Gun Violence – The Omaha 360 Model
More than 6,000 people have been fatally shot already in this new year in the United States. These deaths are filled with so many levels of trauma for loved ones and family members. It sometimes feels hopeless that we can fix this epidemic of violence since these numbers continue to...
How do we Honor the Presidents on This Special Day?
I find that the national holiday of President’s Day is something that has not been well-defined. Originally it was a celebration of George Washington’s birthday. Then it was deemed appropriate that we combine George Washington’s birthday and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Added to that was a day to renew a commitment...
The Passion of Martin Luther King Jr.
We have been honoring Martin Luther King Jr. - one of the great civil rights leaders for approximately 37 years - with a national holiday. A number of years ago I was able to visit Memphis, Tennessee and saw the exact spot where he was assassinated. I remember that in...
When Trauma Interrupts Normalcy on the Football Field
Many of us watched Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin tackle a receiver on Monday Night Football and then after standing up, collapsed with a sudden cardiac arrest. As we watched the officials, players and coaches witness what was perceived as a typical football injury to a life-threatening episode we quickly grasped...
Happy New Year, 2023!
As we approach this coming 2023 New Year, I hope the holidays have been restful and enjoyable with your family and friends. I know for many of us the gatherings will continue through the New Year holiday and there will be much to look forward to in the coming year....
How to Have a Balanced Holiday Season
As we enter this holiday season, it's my hope that you will find it to be full of enjoyment, fulfillment, and wonder. Too often the stress of the season can be the prominent emotion! Usually, that stress is rooted in expectations that may be unrealistic and not focused on the...
How to Give the Gift of Relationships at Christmas
Christmas is a season where we celebrate the interesting blend of the secular and the sacred. There is a sense of the fanfare of lights, trees, gift-giving, and family time. We attend church services and have private reflections about the gift of the child who brings hope, peace, salvation, and...
Can We Feel a Holiday Spirit Effect in our Brains?
I enjoy the holidays and that spirit that you feel when walking through the stores, viewing decorations, hearing the music, and seeing all the fun lights. There is something about this season that is familiar, calming, enjoyable, and inspiring. I was thinking about brain regulation and the holidays and wondered...