I’m not sure why I’m surprised every time a new month, like August, shows up when I open my computer to write a weekly article. Doing the math, it’s only 140 days, or 20 weeks, or 3,360 hours until Christmas Day. The older I get, the faster the years go by and the slower the days pass. Whatever the date, the week, or the hour, what I know for sure is that my most precious … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
The weight of hate hinders every step forward
One of the greatest understatements of our time, of all time, probably, is, “Life is an experience.” With significant and minuscule happenings each day, we encounter new, routine, and repeated lessons. Today, I’m thinking about the word hate. If the word feels uncomfortable, substitute it with dislike. I experienced hate, defined as “intense or passionate dislike,” … [Read more...]
Together, we survived the adversity — magic
This past week, I had my thirteen-year-old grandson in NYC. Yes, I’m a little old to be so bold. He knew it was an educational trip, so each night I asked him what he learned. His answers were fun and funny because what he learned was usually not on my radar. For example, on the first day, he said, “I learned the airport is slightly built on the water.” I said, “It is?” It … [Read more...]
Extremes, are not where mental health thrives
Recently, the topics of my column have centered on managing stress, fear, and the unknown. Our political sunrises and sunsets have been difficult for many. Usually, we don’t know what’s changing, and what does is nothing we anticipated. It’s essential to acknowledge our emotions—feelings are genuine, and people approach life in different ways. Even if we agree with … [Read more...]
Fear is real—don’t let it move in
July 10, 2025. Isn’t it curious how a date can trigger a mind to wander? The days come, and the years go, and before we know it, we are six months and ten days into a quarter of this century. How does that happen? I remember the eve of 2000 when we thought nothing would be normal again. Fear was the basis of that event: fear of the world being in chaos due to computer … [Read more...]
Honoring our Red, White, and Blue
I love America — unconditionally. Yes, I see flaws; we all have flaws, but she still wins the top prize for the grandest place to live. On the 7th, I am taking my thirteen-year-old grandson to New York City for his “Grandma trip.” Two granddaughters made the same destination choice in the past. I didn’t try to persuade him to go somewhere else because New York City is my … [Read more...]
Little children show us how
I’m sitting in a restaurant as I write this column—the most interesting and insightful of settings. I see couples, families with young children, seeming friends, and servers scurrying and accommodating. I see nobody else sitting alone with their companion computer, as I am. It’s sad to say that I’m having more conversations than many couples. They are staring at their phone … [Read more...]
Tell your stories — write them — share them
I found a new home. No, not the kind with four walls and a roof, but one with like-minded individuals who believe in the value of stories. It’s called The Moth, and I recently witnessed their awesomeness while attending Who Do You Think You Are at the Boulder Chautauqua Theater. The Moth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling—my true … [Read more...]
Sometimes, we relearn what we already know
I’m an aging Pollyanna, meaning I want to believe all is good and great or sweet and easy. It isn’t. However, I am glad that most of the time, I try to find the light above the drama, trauma, and chaos. Jennifer Goble (Courtesy photo) However, sometimes I don’t always succeed. Most of the obstacles are from my upbringing. A house full of six females and a dad who joined the … [Read more...]
Disturbing vs. peaceful
It’s been an interesting week with conversations about Judaism, antisemitism, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), plus an uplifting lecture on how to write orchestra music from nature. Thank goodness I walked off the progression of taxing my mental and emotional capabilities in the rainy 10K Bolder Boulder on Memorial Day. While wondering why I set an alarm and … [Read more...]
Love what you do, do what you love
I just learned that my grandson, Ryder, signed up to play basketball and study business at Ouachita University in Arkansas. Isn’t it interesting how good news about someone you love and care about is as good as when great things happen to you? It’s an honorable human characteristic. As I write this, I am so happy, excited, and grateful for him. The most excellent … [Read more...]
Look up and around
I stare at this blank screen as the Sentinel submission deadline nears, and all that comes to mind to share with you, my kind readers, is in my future. I usually write about something that happened during the week or something I learned years ago. Today, my mind focuses on the future, which is good. How often do you get stuck in the past? Did you or someone else say or do … [Read more...]
How do you rate YOUR boundaries?
You need better boundaries if you say yes when you want to say no. If people treat you poorly and you don’t address it or step out of the situation, you need better boundaries. If you sense someone expects you to give them your last dollar or the only ten minutes you have free all day, you need better boundaries. If you are more concerned with someone else’s happiness, you … [Read more...]
Think of your mom as I share a little of mine
Whether our mothers are still with us or they have passed, this Sunday, we are thinking about the woman who gave us life and then, in her own way, loved us and formed our foundation Moms are not perfect; we are human, but my mom was married when she was sixteen and spent the next seventy years mothering five daughters, their kids, and their grandkids. She has been gone … [Read more...]
Graduates, decide who you Don’t want to be
I am editing and republishing an article from 5-13-I5. Even though I wrote it ten years ago, it still rings true. I give Jeff Haden, using the brand of “Influencer, credit for the cleverly described titles for ten people to avoid. Jennifer Goble (Courtesy photo) As you graduate, decide who you want to be and how you want to act. Your future is yours to mold, and although you … [Read more...]