Category Aging

Aging, Conscious living, Grief

Singing Joy to the World

In the dark of December comes the gradual returning of light. It is a time for celebration and joy. One way to express that joy is to sing in community. I love to sing. I guess that’s because I grew…

Aging, Conscious living, Dying, Grief, Personal Growth

Cultivating Courage to Face Fear

Going after our dream is a little bit like a Halloween adventure. We don our costumes – a vision of ourselves — and set off to claim the promised rewards. Along the way we may encounter dark shadows and scary…

Michelle Peticolas
2015-09-29

Aging, Conscious living, Grief

Going for Your Dreams While Letting Go

In the act of committing to your dream, you set in motion a chain of amazing reactions . . . The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would…

Michelle Peticolas
2015-03-09

Aging, Care giving, Conscious living, Dying, Grief

Transforming Death Denial into Curiosity, Self-Discovery and Wonderment

I made a lot of mistakes when my parents were dying. Obvious signs of their aging were overlooked, communication broke down, I often failed to show up and when I did, I quickly ran away. I felt confused, indecisive and…

Michelle Peticolas
2014-06-04

Aging, Conscious living

Getting Your Aging Parents to Cooperate

One of the challenges children of aging parents face is getting them to cooperate with changes that are for their own good. It is not easy for them. The change often means more restrictions, less independence, a diminution in self…

Michelle Peticolas
2014-05-31

Aging, Care giving, Conscious living

Apply Oxygen to Caregiver First

So many things can work against our efforts to care for ourselves while caring for aging loved ones. Being too busy is a big one. There are often numerous medical appointments. The house may need alterations. There is new equipment…

Michelle Peticolas
2014-05-24

Aging, Care giving

Can Sherlock Holmes Keep Your Aging Parents Safe?

We all die. It’s part of life. But few of us want think about it unless we have to. The aging of our parents is a powerful reminder, which offers special opportunities for healing, personal growth and connection. One of…

Aging, Conscious living

Aging Creatively

Legendary film star Bette Davis once said: Getting old is not for sissies! For those of us in the firm grasp of the jaws of time, it’s hard not to agree. Aging certainly has its challenges — failing eyesight, sagging…

Deborah Staelens-Goode, Life Coach

Michelle helped me deal with the untimely death of my dear friend and roommate and put her loss in a new perspective. During those dark days after her death, I felt suspended in a space between life and death and could see both dimensions. At times I wanted life and other times I wanted to cross over. I am grateful to Michelle for guiding me to channel all my emotions in a life affirming way that has empowered me to get past my heart-wrenching grief and see that I am where I am meant to be. I have started a book that encompasses many related subjects and I acknowledge Michelle for encouraging my writing as a powerful and creative way to release my deep emotions around grief and loss.

Lisa Thorne, Young Widow and Mother of Two

I really enjoyed being in Michelle’s group. Even though the other members were much older and no one had young children like me, I found common ground with everyone and I got a lot from it. I especially appreciated Michelle — her comfort, insights, connections, the opportunity she gave me to go deep and explore the spiritual side. I think she’s wonderful.

Felicia Mareels, Transformational Facilitator

Michelle has a very tender thoroughness that goes straight to the heart of emotional inquiry. I felt validated and encouraged to pull the diamonds of truth from the grief still remaining. She gave me encouragement to keep moving in the direction of forgiveness.