Not long ago, my son and I ended up at a Sand Mandala ceremony guided by Tibetan Monks. I just vaguely remembered that something about monks was going on at the Chinese Gardens, and we just happened to arrive as the ceremony was beginning. And there was a prayer carpet in the front row that was just the right size for us to sit together, crossed legged and curious. When things are that charmed, I always pay closer attention.

It's eighth grade. A school dance. I'm that kid in the corner. The one who watches the guys and the girls getting closer even though they don't know what they're doing.

And I envy them from afar. I envy their willingness to push their bodies together, to feel the heat, the tension, the mystery of sexuality between them.

It wasn't until college that I kissed a girl. It wasn't until sophomore year that I lost my virginity. And now, while I'm enjoying an amazing relationship with a sexy lady who's also my best friend, I find that I still have tension when it comes to body contact on the dance floor. Not so much with my girlfriend, but with other women, yes.

Emily, one of our lovely Owning Pink bloggers and a multi-passion mama who uses my Multi-Passion Mama Productivity System, recently posed this question:

You mention how you yourself insist on discipline when it comes to house cleaning and will— for instance— put your tea mug in the sink as soon as you're done. But that you don't insist your husband and son do the same. Do you have any tips on how to deal with living with people who don't share this discipline? For instance, my husband does not seem to have it in his DNA to keep things in their designated spot in the house, and this is troubling when it’s something like car keys or dog leashes that I am hunting for on a daily basis.

The question, of course, is an excellent one. I have SO been there with the frustration that stems from others’ inability or unwillingness to conform to my perfect way of doing things.

Greetings, Pinkies! In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week and today -- National Depression Screening Awareness Day -- we want to share some insight, bust some myths, and get real about how depression affects us and our loved ones. Jennifer's story about finding the right therapist will no doubt resonate with many of us who have searched, or thought about searching, for that special someone -- ok, the other special someone: the therapist with whom you feel most comfortable and heard. Enjoy -- and many thanks to Jennifer for digging deep and sharing your journey!

When I was in high school, I wanted to see a therapist; I was experiencing massive anxiety about school and relationships and it was affecting my sleep and my eating habits. There were periods when my hands would shake so much it was hard to hold a pencil or fork. But, I knew it was useless to ask my parents about it. They made their thoughts on therapy very clear. The idea of telling a stranger all your secrets went against everything they believed in. According to them, if people know things about you, no matter how mundane, they’ll use this knowledge against you. They’ll judge you. They’ll tell everyone else, and your life will be ruined. You’ll never get into college or get a job or a loan for a car. And, if other people were to know you were going to a therapist, they’d assume the worst, and there would be even more people ruining your life.