Sharee Lawler, of the Hill is Home blog, did a really nice story about my pet coaching business back in February. As we chatted, a few phrases such as penguin wrangler and 3.742 miles, piqued her interest.

A couple of weeks ago, she rang again with a request for another interview to learn how my experience on The Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament shaped my life and my work as a life coach and counselor. Now, I am ALWAYS glad to talk about the March, but I was especially eager to chat with Sharee. I knew that her sensitivity and talent would create something lovely out of the thousands of stories and very strong emotions that fateful journey bring up in me.

The resulting post is even better than I could have imagined.

When people ask me about it in the future, I may just point them to that link. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.

We had a LOT of meetings!

If you would ever like to have a cup of tea and hear more about what it was like to see this amazing country of ours, one step at a time, drop me a line. The stories are heart-warming and hair-raising.

It was a classic Hero’s Journey, that made you feel like you lived a week in every single day. But I won’t kid you. Those of us who worked to move an entire city, over every kind of terrain you can imagine, loved what we did…AND…we ended up describing the effort using a slight variation on that famous, old Army motto:

It’s not just an adventure, it’s a JOB!

I hope to never work that hard, or have that much responsibility, ever again.

At the same time, I DO hope to be that committed and that willful in everything I do.

The March taught me what it means to be me…free from the restrictions of emotional limitation and pessimism.

Of course, we are all shaped by our experiences, of course. And, believe it or not, walking across America isn’t even the most dramatic of mine. But, I know in my bones that letting go of who I was and giving in to the March experience, helped me to develop the tenacity and empathy that  drive my work now.

Because of it, I know with great certainty that no matter where you are, geographically or emotionally, you CAN move. You ARE free to choose how you feel in any given moment. And I am as honored to guide you on YOUR journey as I was to clear the path for my beloved March family.

If you need help getting from here to wherever your ‘there’ is, I’d love to help. And I won’t even make you pitch a tent!

Today, a dear friend…a good friend…a unique friend…has died.

He has been such a stalwart part of the couple that I have loved more than my own parents…for more than 22 years…I can’t imagine what my life will be like without him.

Two of the most important people in the world, Niki and Gordon.

I know Gordon because, in 1986, I walked from Los Angeles to Washington DC with a group of passionate people championing a cause. It was an amazing experience and, at the end of it, I was overcome with an illness that knocked me off my feet. I recuperated in Gordon’s house, lovingly tended by his wonderful wife Niki. The two of them took me into their hearts and cared for this sickly stranger with the deepest kindness I’d ever known.

Almost two years later, I called Niki from California to talk about my post-divorce life. She wasn’t home. Gordon asked me how I was and, after my brief description…totally out of the blue…he boomed, “Well, you ARE coming to live with us, aren’t you?” It was as if becoming a part of their family was a forgone conclusion.

Six months after that, I crossed the country again, to join the home of Les Heures. That’s what the welcome mat said…French for, “The Laughing Ones.”

And boy did we ever. We laughed. We cried. We tussled over philosophy and choices. We LIVED, and I was safer than I had ever been in my life.

Gordon had a pure, scientific mind. He loved nature, sang in the church choir, was a dab hand at bridge, and read exhaustively. He was responsible for me acquiring my very first library card.

We were incredibly different and he never pretended to understand me. But he was there for me, come what may. More than anything, he was Niki’s husband and champion. He loved her, in his own way, so much that she could be available to those who needed her…I was definitely NOT the only one.

The original idea was that I would live with Niki and Gordon for 6 months. I stayed with them for 7 and half years. We just worked that well together.

They have been with me, on my side and in my corner through every major event of my life. Believe me, there have been some doozies that I would not have navigated half as successfully, if it weren’t for my faithful, caring ’surrogate parents.’

Gordon was 97, and not feeling well at all, but the last time I saw him, he gave me the same strong hug I remember from his younger days. I described it like being hugged by an oak tree. He was so solid. So…himself…so THERE.

In wishing Gordon godspeed, I want to say to him “Tak for Alt.” It’s a phrase I saw on many gravestones when I lived briefly in Denmark.

Mark Nielson PhD, explains it like this:

“In daily conversation Danes do not use the phrase “Tak for alt.” As one Dane; put it, “Those are pretty big words.” While the literal translation is “Thanks for everything,” the meaning is greater. A more accurate translation is “with deep and profound gratitude for the bounty and fullness of life.”

Thank you Gordon. Thank you for everything.

That is perfectly natural. And, by ‘natural’, I mean a part of nature that is almost unavoidable.

It’s dark and cold out there! (Even if you don’t live in the North or East, weather has been pretty crazy lately.)

By definition, everything moves more slowly in winter. And, if humans had more sense, we’d be a bit more like your furry friends and have planned to do less during the dark months.

Are you less busy or obligated right now? I’m not!

We are all just struggling against nature and slogging through a downward cycle. In fact, U.K. psychologist, Cliff Arnall, developed a mathematical calculation that suggests the third week of the year is the saddest time of the year. In the chilly, not-so-fun, aftermath of the holidays, how could it be anything but?

So, what can we do about it? Try the 9 great tips following the jump.

The trick is to take special care of yourself. Here are the best ways to stay healthy and happy over the next couple of months. (If you have a number 10, please tell us in the comments.)

Keep moving to keep moving

The more you exercise, the better you will feel. As an extra, added bonus, you’ll be warmer. A Jacuzzi can be a nice, immediate reward for a good workout at the gym and entering the spring months without extra pounds is even better.

Eat a healthy diet

Avoid ‘white’ carbs (white rice, potatoes, pasta) and stock up on dark foods (leafy greens, root vegetables, sweet potatoes and brown rice). Your digestion will thank you and you will avoid those deadly carbo-crashes.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Just as in warm weather, dehydration brought on by low humidity, building heat and stress can make you more tired and ill-feeling than anything else. Drink a little more water than you think you want. Try a small splash of fruit juice, or chilled herb teas to make water more appealing. (I LOVE Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Spice for this.)

Catch more than 40 winks

Wanting to nap during dreary days is not necessarily a sign of depression. It’s a natural response to the dark. Rather than watching the third football game on a Sunday, or spending those two extra hours on the Internet, take a nap. Then do some stretches and a couple of jumping jacks to get your blood moving again.
Avoid alcohol

Oddly enough, we think alcohol makes us ‘happy’, when it is actually a depressant. Holiday parties inspire us to imbibe more than usual and it can be difficult to cut back amid the holiday letdown. When in doubt, eliminate drinking anything but healthy beverages and then check your mood.

Take advantage of every scrap of sun available

You NEED sun for vitamin D and vitality. Get all that you can. I’ve taken to joining my dog on the floor when a nice sunbeam floods my living room window. It really is comforting. When there is no sunbeam, visit a dog park or skating rink to be inspired by pooches and people who know how to enjoy the cold.

Find ways to stay organized

Nothing brings me down even lower than a home or office that is as difficult to navigate as the rain and snow.

Toss junk mail in the bin before you even bring it in the house.

Wash dishes before they can pile up. I bought a dish brush with on-board dish washing liquid at Hill’s Kitchen, which makes clean up an easy swish! (Plus, I feel warm inside for supporting a local, much loved, business. Double bonus!)

Consider a less cluttered bed that can be made more easily. I use a European style flannel duvet cover and, like my friends across the Pond, skip the top sheet. Not only am I warmer, more comfortable and less stressed with bunched up sheets, but making the bed involves nothing more than a flick of the wrist.

Get creative with organizing and you’ll be less stressed and more focused while you slog toward May flowers.

Surround yourself with supportive people

Band together to beat the blues. Find an uplifting activity, watch a funny movie, play hilarious games (Charades, Pictionary), challenging word games, or chess, to keep your mind active. If you must, let yourself b**ch about how down you are for the first 10 minutes and then find a fun solution.

Say yes to saying no

Participate in only the activities that lift your spirits and give you energy. If the friend who never has a good word to say wants to gobble up your Sunday afternoon, reply, ”I have an obligation then.” This happens to be true…you are obligated to take special care of yourself!