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THE HEALING HORSE
Recently, I had the honor of working with a new client who found me through an article written in the Saturday Evening Post titled “The Horse Listeners”. The article was about one of my ‘herdmates’, i.e., a fellow graduate of the program where I received my first coaching certificate in Equine Gestalt Coaching by Touched by a Horse (TBAH). This method is based on gestalt principles, is experiential in nature and offers lasting results. The horse is considered as an active par

Donna Carlson
Nov 115 min read
INSPIRATION FROM TRAGEDY
Each year on December 23rd, I share this story on Facebook and I would like to share with you today. This is an excerpt from my book that I am still in the process of writing. I have shared this before but continue to share with the intention of hoping that it may inspire someone who may feel like they cannot go on; feel like things may not change; feel like these hard times are just too much; and to honor my daughter and her willingness and strength to create such an ama

Donna Carlson
Nov 115 min read
How to Trust Your Intuition
How much do you trust your own intuition right now? We all have an inner voice that is meant to guide us in our choices. Trouble is, most of us don’t actually listen to it or don’t know how to use it in the right way. Not used to tapping into your inner guidance? Sometimes, you may agonize over decisions and question whether you’ve made the right choice, right? If you're nodding 'yes', using your intuition will definitely benefit you. Now is a great time to learn how to trust

Donna Carlson
Nov 114 min read
WHEN THINGS GET — AND STAY TOUGH — AT MID-LIFE
When mid-life (ages 40 to 60) meets up with changes and losses, including health challenges, retirement and unexpected responsibilities for adult children, grandchildren or aging parents, things can begin to unravel. This is true for women and men, though each gender tends to react to different stimuli. Healing assisted by an Applied Symbiosis. My coaching practice is structured to share focus between three groups, each offering the possibilities for symbiotic interconnected

Donna Carlson
Nov 113 min read
5 Ways to Be Happy and Healthy After 50
Aging is a fact of life, but you can be in charge of how well you age. A healthy lifestyle can have a big impact on this, along with a positive and happy outlook on life. Ready to start living a happy and healthy life well into your 50’s and beyond? Yes, if you are younger...begin now...These 5 tips can help you to stay fit, healthy and happy for years to come! Tip #1 - Exercise for Stronger Bones and Muscles As you get older, you can become more likely to develop osteoporo

Donna Carlson
Nov 114 min read
My First Mother's Day
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! As women and mothers, we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. I knew from the moment that I became pregnant with my beautiful daughter, my life would change in oh so many wonderful yet scary ways. I share an excerpt from my upcoming book – TRUST AND LET GO ‘...By February of 1988, Chip was able to find a job as an HVAC instructor at a tech school. We were saving for an apartment and we finally had enough money to go out on a date and stay in a h

Donna Carlson
Nov 116 min read
Gratitude and Happiness: What’s the link?
What do you think of when the word “gratitude” is mentioned? A lot of us associate it with saying thank you, but it actually goes a lot further than this. It’s a much deeper appreciation and generates positivity that can last a long time. If you’re not practicing gratitude on a regular basis, maybe now is the time to make it a big part of your self-care. Science has shown that gratitude can improve your physical and emotional health and happiness and makes you much less likel

Donna Carlson
Nov 114 min read
Forgiveness
Forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting. But forgiving does mean you can move on, clear the negative energy and open up your heart to the things you really want. Sound too good to be true? It's not!! There are basically 3 types of forgiveness: Indirect - happens inside of us. Where the hurt of the wrong doing either by you or another…action or result…is an internal heart-centered decision to forgive. This is where freedom and healing lives. I am willing to make this decisi

Donna Carlson
Nov 113 min read
How to Use the Holiday Season to Strengthen Your Relationships and Honor your Grief and Loved Ones
The holiday season can be a big source of stress when it comes to relationships, especially with family and if you are in grief. If you’ve ever had a big fallout at this time of year, you’ll know how quickly things can escalate when stress rises, and frustrations boil over. But it’s not all bad news as the holidays can also be a great opportunity to build deeper and more meaningful connections with family and friends. Here are some tips to help you to do that! Reminisce about

Donna Carlson
Nov 114 min read
GRIEF AND HOLIDAYS
Grief Takes No Holidays For those experiencing grief and mourning, whether through death, separation, divorce, illness, job loss, or COVID, the holiday cheer and season can be stressful. Facing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day with an empty chair at the table can make unbearable grief so much worse. After the death of my second husband in November of 2010, I had to go through those holidays--my birthday in November, our anniversary in December, his birthday in Janu

Donna Carlson
Nov 112 min read
Grief, Horses & Healing
Since opening my coaching practice seven years ago, I found most of my clients come to me because they feel lost or stuck in their current life. They feel the enormity of the heaviness from sadness that comes from the loss of loved one or something significant, past trauma or abuse. I understand on a deep level that feeling of being in a dark hole; not knowing how to get to the top nor how to even see the light. I remember feeling incredibly depressed while my first husband w

Donna Carlson
Nov 116 min read
7 Steps for Moving Away From Grief
Grief is a natural part of the human experience, but it can be particularly difficult for women who are often expected to be strong, resilient, and nurturing even in the face of personal tragedy. Whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one, going through a difficult divorce, or struggling with a serious illness, it is important to know that healing and hope are possible. I know on a professional and deep personal level how difficult these transitions in life can be...I h

Donna Carlson
Nov 113 min read
Understanding Pet Loss as a Form of Disenfranchised Grief
Grief is a deeply personal and emotional experience, yet society often places expectations and timelines on how we should process it. When it comes to the loss of a beloved pet, those expectations can become even more complicated. Pet loss is a form of grief that is often disenfranchised—meaning it is not always recognized or validated by others. This can leave those who are grieving feeling isolated, misunderstood, and even judged. The Pain of Dismissal How many times have y

Donna Carlson
Nov 112 min read


Pet Loss Support: Navigating the Pain of Saying Goodbye
Losing a pet can cause immense pain and sorrow. For many people, their pet is not just an animal, but a cherished member of the family....

Donna Carlson
Apr 222 min read


Finding Peace: Healing After Significant Loss with The Grief Whisperer
Losing a loved one, whether human or furry, can be a profound and life-altering experience. It can leave us feeling lost, overwhelmed,...

Donna Carlson
Apr 221 min read


Coping with Grief: Tips and Resources for Healing
Navigating the complex waters of grief can be a challenging and overwhelming journey for anyone who has experienced a significant loss....

Donna Carlson
Apr 222 min read
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