emotional sinkholes

A recent Facebook post triggered a host of ideas and issues like a steaming can of worms. 

Toxic family behaviors that are normalized by society - things that can be mentally or emotionally

harmful to one's well-being but have been normalized and socially accepted.

mind matters with Divya Robin - emotional boundaries

In the aftermath of a Donald Trump presidency we have all been left in the wake of the toxic muck and mire his vileness released into a world that has yet recover.

Despite the abundance of love which so many of us have for family members, some may come from families held together by abusive, critical, and manipulative behavior.

martyr vs hero

It's August 21 and the 39th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino - the catalyst that ignited the unraveling of the Marcos conjugal dictatorship. 

Beloved father, mother, and son would be sacrificed for love of country - the Philippines, pillaged by another set of reviled father, mother, and son. 

funeral procession of former Philippine Senator Ninoy Aquino

Until the mastermind behind Ninoy's very public, very bungled assassination is named and held to account - he remains a hero in waiting, martyred for our country's freedom. 

the incomparable Joni Mitchell

The incredible Joni Mitchell was a surprise guest at the Newport Folk Festival. Already a legend in her own time - she wowed the unsuspecting crowd when she stepped onto the stage in her first public performance since suffering a debilitating brain aneurysm in 2015.

It's been 53 years since she was last at the festival and "The last time Joni performed with guitar in hand in front of a paying audience was 8,660 days ago, on her 55th birthday," according to Mitchell's website. 

Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe via Getty Images

I have been a Joni Mitchell fan for over forty years. Like countless teens of the 70s Joni eased me past the grief of my lost childhood illusions and nurtured a confidence and trust in myself.