The movie Hustle stars Adam Sandler as a talent scout for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. It is a story of redemption as he shows us an example of being a generative male archetype. He embodies a part of the self that helps others become their best and enriches their lives.

The Coen brother’s film O Brother Where Art Thou, released in 2000, is in some ways a retelling of the Odyssey by Homer. That book tells the story of the king, Ulysses, who undertakes a ten-year journey to return to his home. He finds his way blocked by sirens, a cyclops and other obstacles.

David Richo’s book, How to Be an Adult is a rich handbook for understanding what healthy adult thoughts, behaviors and feelings are.

As we anticipate mask mandates lifting shortly it is a good time to reflect on the last two years. We have, collectively, been through a traumatic experience with long lasting impacts.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” was not well liked or well-regarded when released in 1946. America was seeking lighthearted distraction from the sacrifice and struggle of the recently ended Second World War. It was a dark film with flashes of brightness and hope at the end.

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a commonly occurring disorder (over three million cases in the United States each year) that occurs the farther north or south you are from the equator. It is also called “winter depression.” It can start in younger people and can increase with age.

The Disney animated film Up is a delightful film that takes on an adventure with a crusty old man and his unwelcomed companion. It is also a deeper film addressing loss and the need to find purpose after life has given us a separation we do not welcome.

As we slowly move back into reopening and employees return to the workplace we are confronted with the traumatic effects of the pandemic. Naturally, we want to reclaim the lives we were living almost a year and a half ago. And yet, things have changed, and we have changed.

We are moving towards a “new normal” with Covid. It seems like a million years ago we freely interacted, mask less, with others. We went to church and sporting events without any concerns for our health. We are not out of the woods yet but there is hope for some normalcy with many people getting vaccinated and death rates dropping.

As anyone who is a pet owner can tell you their animals help them in many ways. They offer unending doses of companionship, unconditional love and a sense of connection to the natural world.

As I was scanning through videos on YouTube, I came across a live recording of the Beatles performing their classic, Nowhere Man. I had heard the song many times over the decades and enjoyed and loved the song, but I heard it differently this time.

Many Americans are struggling right now with getting enough sleep. We are sleep deprived for a variety of reasons: stress, anxiety, too much spent on screens that keeps our brains overstimulated.