Truly.  An hour after trimming it.  I was sitting on the floor, in front of the fire, enjoying the beauty, wrapping gifts when

CRASH

Broken glass and water everywhere.  I lost a lot.  I beheaded one of Mac and Sienna.  But Superglue does wonders.  I let the emotions run free as I didn’t want to get stuck in anger, sadness, blame, loneliness.  Has this ever happened to you?  Is a tree crashing a common thing?

I lost some precious ones. I lost some beauties.  And that was all.  I cleaned up the mess, propped the tree in a corner and hired a handyman to help it to stay solidly upright, and though a bit smooshed, it’s still a great tree.

I  sat with this.  We all try hard.  We all do as much as we are able to do.  And we all need help.  Sometimes we mess up.  Sometimes we aren’t secure.  And things can crash. And what happens after the cleanup?

We see newness

Restoration

Beauty

Wonder

Faith

Hope

Isn’t that what this season is about?  Experiencing joy and hope like a child?

My kids would have laughed if they’d been with me.  Finding joy.  Even in those places where things go wrong.

So much was going wrong for our ancestors in this holy season, yet they believed, hoped, walked in faith, and carried on.  They let their light shine.  They let there be new life.

I hope you know you are such a huge part of my light.  I am so grateful for you being here together with me.  It feels so good to be among friends and encouragers.  So this Holiday, I come unwrapped.  And I hope you do too.

Just as we are.

With our truths revealed.

You are a beautiful person.

And I am honored to know you.

I hope you have an amazing time with friends and family.  And know, whether a tree falls, or a turkey burns, or you buy the wrong socks, it’s the heart that’s important.  Your love is important.  And I am so grateful you share yours with me.  

Heather Browne PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Heather Browne PsyD, LMFT helps people recognize the power of communication.  It is one of our most important skills that we have, and yet we don’t consider our understanding, approach, belief, and therefore, miss our possibilities.  Living with a paranoid schizophrenic mother gave Dr. Heather a unique and powerful awareness that no one has the same reality, though we believe we do.  Utilizing this revolutionary awareness has allowed her to transform communication within self and within all other types of relationship.  This is the hidden key to acceptance.  And this is her mission to share.

As a relationship expert, Dr. Heather Browne has worked with thousands of individuals and couples in psychotherapy.  She is a TedX Speaker and Keynote Speaker. Her couple’s communication book will be out 1/24. She is published in hundreds of journals, has an active YouTube channel, has been featured on ABC-7 news, was the relationship expert on KDOC Daybreak OC, and is published in Inc., Toronto Sun, Thriving Family Magazine,  Light + Life, BRAINZ, Scary Mommy, and Psychology Today.  She is a regular guest blogger for both Links for Shrinks and for Marriage Friendly Therapists. She offers a weekly newsletter packed with tips and techniques to improve relationships and has monthly workshops! Simply go to her website!
https://www.drheatherbrowne.com/