I heard this story about a fish. He swims up to this older fish and says, “I’m trying to find this thing they call the ocean.” “The ocean?” says the older fish, “that’s what you’re in right now.” “This?” says the younger fish, “This is water. What I want is the ocean.”

Disney Pixar’s Soul

I am a Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) in Virginia and in my practice I’ve noticed many moments of “things I wish I knew” either for myself or for the people I serve. This blog is my attempted solution to those moments. My goal is to post helpful thoughts, insights, or educational materials about a number of topics so varied that they can only be summarized as “part of life.” Hence the vague blog title. Topics will include

• Self-Care
• Aging Well
• Thoughts on Death
• Counseling
• All Things Grief

I am only 30 years old, so I still have a lot of growing and learning to do myself. I’m hoping that documenting that journey as well may be helpful to others. However, I do find myself in conversation with people in their 20s saying “I can’t believe I’m halfway to 50” or with people in their 80s saying “I don’t need to worry about (insert normal aging concern here) anytime soon do I?” I am amazed at the unique perspective I have as a result of working in death and dying as a millennial. I also struggle with maintaining a filter as a result sometimes. One thing that meeting folks at all stages of life does is it provides perspective. I am often frustrated when I encounter folks who are so narrow-minded in their view of their lives. I want to grab them by the shoulders and say “YOU’RE LIVING YOUR LIFE, YOU ONLY GET ONE” or more eloquently like that quote from the movie Soul.

So this is your fair warning that along with the more helpful aspects of this blog, there may be sass and salt mixed in. I’ll just consider that the “spice of life.” Hopefully it fits your palate.