Are you in Colorado and looking for deaf resources?  If so, you may want to check out some of these.

• Colorado Association of the Deaf
• Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Free Colorado Deaf
• Dove
• Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
• Deaf Queer Resource Center
• Deaf Culture
• National Deaf Education Project
• Understanding Deaf Culture

If you know of others, I hope you will share them here!

These days, I’m talking to a lot of people who just aren’t happy.  If you are one of them and are in search of happiness, here’s some of the things that I suggest to my clients . . . .

• Take responsibility for finding happiness . . . for creating happiness . . . for attracting happiness into your life.
• Look ahead.  Happiness is more than just good times. What is it that is important to you when you look into your future.  What do you want?  What does it feel like? Sound like? Smell like?  Look like?
• Choose to create a plan for introducing those things into your life now.  Chunk them down into do-able little steps so that you can actually believe that they are possible and even inevitable if you stay focused on your goals.  Happiness does exist.  It happens every day.  Learn to create it in your own life
• Gather support on your journey.  Notice the people around you that contribute that that feeling of optimism; and notice those that weigh you down.  If you need to do some housecleaning with your friends or distance yourself from certain family members in the name of creating your own happiness, you have my permission to do so!  Surround yourself with people who have your best interest at heart.  If their actions do not support your goals, then it’s time to make space for new friends!
• Practice gratitude recognizing and honoring the gifts and opportunities that abound!  I think it is Seneca who said that “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”  Do you part in being ready to embrace luck and joy by being prepared.  When you do this, opportunities for happiness show up.
• And, choose the spiritual practice of “Yes!“  By this, I mean accept those situations and offerings that come your way with a sense of curiosity and a sense of adventure.  Happiness sometimes shows up in unexpected places.
• Rely on your strong suits.  Rather than always trying to improve your weaknesses, trust that your strengths are more than adequate to bring you joy.  You are enough just as you are right now.  If you don’t know that already, learn it.  Trust it.  Lean into it.  You are enough right now.

I know that there are other tips that you can share that have helped you along your journey.  Feel free to add them with your comments below!

Yesterday was a difficult day.  I had deadlines to meet (and I didn’t meet them).  I thought I was going to have to put my 14 year old dog to sleep.  I went to the dentist to get a temporary crown and my tooth hurt all day long.  And, my partner was out of state.  Yep, it was a difficult day and I had a little pity party.  But, eventually, I realized that that wasn’t really working for me, either.  Instead, I needed to (and did) shift gears to focus on self-compassion.

Here’s my list of acts of self-compassion.

• Hug my dog.
• Sing a song.
• Take a bubble bath.
• Remind myself of what I can do.
• Bring fresh flowers into my house.
• Sit in my garden.
• Just b-r-e-a-t-h.
• Try a little yoga.
• Take a walk.
• Write a letter.
• Ask for help.
• Accept what is.
• Learn something new.
• Find the humor.
• Make a cup of my favorite hot tea.
• Take a nap.
• Read in bed.
• Hold someone’s hand.
• Watch a storm.
• Build a fire.
• Speak up.
• Take action.
• See the difference.
• Be open.
• Set judgment aside.
• Light a candle.
• Say a prayer.
• Identify needs.
• See the big picture.
• Be gentle with myself.
• Use an affirmation or personal mantra.
• Express myself.
• Be curious.
• List the gifts of imperfection.
• Connect with someone who cares about me.
• Choose to care for myself.

So I’m wondering . . . . What are your acts of self-compassion and how do you remind yourself to choose them?

I struggle with perfection. Do you?  For most of my 50 years, I’ve imagined that being right . . . being perfect . . . is what I “should” be.  Only in the last few years, has it occurred to me, that I might be wrong – that even trying to be perfect might be wrong.

Today, I stumbled across Kathryn Schulz’ TED Talk and I’m thinking I might just be on to something!  Here’s Kathryn Schulz:On Being Wrong. 

Got any thoughts to share on being right and being wrong?

Check out Michael Kimber on YouTube.

There is help available to manage your depression and anxiety.