Author Archives: Anne Barker

How My Dog Taught Me To Live In The Moment

“What day is it?” “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favorite day,” said Pooh. A.A. Milne Lola – my 4-yr-old, 70-lb Labrador Retriever – is still quite the puppy. She wriggles and whines and loves to push on her squeaky giraffe … Continue reading

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Posted in Mindfulness, Out Of My Mind | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

All In Good Time: Traveling At The Speed Of Life

So I’m driving down a medium-sized street in Omaha on a recent summer morning, headed out to a couple of midtown errands. Although it’s a major thoroughfare, the street runs through a quiet neighborhood, so the speed limit is a … Continue reading

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Posted in Letting Go, Out Of My Mind | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Snot Rockets And Sailing Ships: Making Meaning Out Of The Mess

Snot Rockets My daughter Emily has never been much of a hiker. Bright and beautiful, and possessing a quick wit and an exceptionally kind heart, Emily has many talents and interests. Walking in the woods until you sweat is just … Continue reading

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Posted in Growth, Out Of My Mind | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A Grief Re-Observed: Re-Experiencing Loss In Times Of Tragedy

“I thought I could describe a state; make a map of sorrow. Sorrow, however, turns out to be not a state but a process. It needs not a map but a history . . .” ― C.S. Lewis, A Grief … Continue reading

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“That’s Mine; You Have Yours.” – Why You Should Do You

Snowflakes are falling outside my window as I write this, big and little ones together, and I can’t take my eyes off of them. Most of the flakes are gliding on the wind at the same diagonal angle, like the … Continue reading

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Posted in Out Of My Mind, The Change Process | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

8 Conversation Tips When It’s Your Turn To Speak

Most of us don’t have too much trouble speaking our mind in an argument (much easier than listening, yes?). But, if we’re honest, we have to admit that we could all use a little tune-up in the style department, some … Continue reading

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Starting Over When We Forget

Imagine you’re in a committed partnership with someone you love very much. Imagine that, although things aren’t always perfect, you’re happy and confident in your love and your life with this person, and have a wealth of memories to remind … Continue reading

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Posted in Hitch Fix, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

8 Tips To Improve Your Listening Skills

“Now, children, I want you to put on your listening ears . . . “ Even in our earliest memories, it seems as though someone is always trying to get us to listen. And yet, as adults we still wrestle … Continue reading

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Posted in Communication, Hitch Fix, Life Lines | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Cooking Without A Net – The Art Of Letting Go

The Recipe Says . . . I am a recipe follower. My husband, he’s more of a recipe avoider. And it drives me crazy in the kitchen. Witness this recent conversation in the middle of making Spaghetti Carbonara: Me: “Oh, … Continue reading

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5 Tips For When You’re Stuck

So. It’s February. How are those resolutions going? I know, right? It seemed so easy at first, so possible. You read a blog post about breaking bad habits, you identified your triggers and payoffs, you set your goals and set … Continue reading

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Posted in Life Lines, The Change Process | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments