09.09.20 – ABC News/The Boston Chronicle, Inside/Outside episode. Finding Peace in the Great Outdoors. I was interviewed by great team from the Boston Chronicle concerning my work with Walk and Talk Therapy. This was part of a longer story about how we are taking our work outside during the pandemic.
I am excited about my independence…
Freedom from the bondage of Food, Fat and Fear!
Freedom from the Three Cs: Complaining, Condemning and Criticizing of myself and others.
Freedom from needing approval from family, friends, colleagues, clients.
Freedom from depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and all negative thinking.
Freedom from FOMO! (Fear of Missing Out).
Freedom from the stress of being Here but wanting to be There!
Freedom from all or nothing, black and white, dualistic thinking. Dialectic thinking is a cure for recovering perfectionists, and a lot of OCD, obsessive compulsive, harsh thinking as well.
Freedom from Compare and Despair.
Freedom from jealousy, envy, lust, longing and cravings.
The only thing I do crave, however, is MORE FREEDOM!
I love feeling useful and peaceful, which is foundational for a life worth living. I also want to feel light and relaxed more of the time.
I want to feel “Serenity in the Storm,” as it is written:
“Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.” (unknown author)
Is my life perfect today? Hell no! Far from it! I need to change SO MANY THINGS – I will spare you the burden of listing my ongoing pain, aggravation, losses, frustrations and deep sadnesses – but the good news is that these things are not dominating my consciousness.
I am not a victim anymore. It is no longer possible. I am 100% accountable for my life. I blame no one for my difficult situations and expect no one to save me.
Yes, it’s true, with the help of G-d, Wise Mind, Higher Power, and my Army of Angels, I am the one who I have been waiting for! This is totally a G-d Job…turning my defeats into victories, and my scars into stars. I have finally become bulletproof to the bullies, harsh people, fear and rage around me and within me. As it is written:
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4: 11-13)
🌀With the deep healing powers embedded in psychospiritual treatments anything is possible! 🌀
Yes, I’m excited to share this today – my New Normal – after decades of battling with depression, eating disorders, severe mood swings and more.
If you are still struggling, please hear me when I say HAVE HOPE, things will get better if you don’t give up.
Learn and practice your transformative behavioral and spiritual skills (DBT or whatever) knowing that you are making progress and that “This Too Shall Pass.”
If I can heal and be well, it can happen for anyone. I am just another Bozo on the Bus, hastening slowly towards Wholeness and Oneness.
May you have a healthy, peaceful and relaxing fourth of July!
Never give up!
Onward and Upward,
Lisa Wessan
Copyright © by Lisa Wessan 2019. All rights reserved.
For those of you in the Greater Boston area, there’s something magical to see at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden. A variety of creative displays cover the whole garden, indoors and outside. It is so beautiful, cosmic and exhilarating to walk through at night.
“Night Lights: Winter Reimagined” will be available to visit until 12/30/18 (must purchase tickets prior to going, timed tickets). 
Inside the Rainbow Tunnel, Tower Hill Botanic Garden
I hope you can get there this year. If not, mark your calendar to book for November/December 2019 for their next awesome light show.
Happy Holidays!
Onward and Upward,
Lisa Wessan
Remember, each day is a new beginning, as it is written in Winnie the Pooh:
“What day is it ?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favourite day,” said Pooh.
Some days may appear to be more special than others, but in fact each day is a special pearl of a day. Let’s love the day, no matter what…experiment in feeling an attitude of gratitude for each breath you take.
Onward and Upward,
Lisa Wessan
Since I changed careers in 1999, morphing from science journalist to therapist, I feel as if I have given birth to three clinical children in this journey…
First, I delivered Therapeutic Laughter for Caregivers (and others) in New York City, which emerged as keynotes, workshops and seminars. I still enjoy presenting these programs which also include Team Building with Laughter, the Let Go and Lighten Up program and LaughAnanda (laughter meditation). Each program serves a different sector, for corporate, medical/healthcare, educational, non-profit, and spiritual organizations.
Second, after a long gestational study period, I delivered Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Groups (DBT) two years ago and currently facilitate two DBT groups in my office in Westford, MA, one daytime and evening group.
Third, and brand new as of June 2017, Walk and Talk Therapy (WATT) was born. I am very excited about the progress and results my clients are experiencing during WATT.
Over the past several years, every time I read about exercising with clients, I was more intrigued…yes, there is solid science and empirically verified research on the benefits of WATT.
In brief, the motion of walking stimulates the bicameral brain and increases activity between the left and right hemispheres. This allows people to access more complex feelings and memories, and have the ability to process the sadness, grief or trauma even more effectively while walking. While walking, everything is flowing, and the negative or heavily charged energy from the traumatic memories can discharge quicker. (I’m in the process of writing an article on a few of my clients who have had dramatic shifts and turnarounds on these walks.)
I have my clients sign an Indemnity Agreement prior to the WATT, and we discuss the possible challenges that may occur, such as tripping on a rock, or falling for some reason. For some, this often leads to a lively discussion of their previous adventures and how confident they are in their walking ability. “Walking around a lake? This is nothing, a piece of cake!” they say. For others, the prospect of walking for two miles is daunting, but they understand they can do as much or little of the walk as they want. We have a choice of several benches for resting along the way with stunning views of the lake.
If you are considering WATT, I strongly recommend it. As the Scottish-American naturalist John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
Copyright © by Lisa Wessan 2017. All rights reserved.
Lisa Wessan, advocating for blood donation at Red Cross.
For most people, during the month of December we look for ways to give extra love, charity, dinners, trips, gifts, bonuses…we are in an intense giving mode. I wish for every dollar spent at the mall someone donated blood — saving approximately three lives per donation — now that’s massively good giving!
What’s great about donating blood is that you can give it away every eight weeks, at the most, or any amount of times after that during the year. You can give at each seasonal equinox, or twice a year, whatever you donate, it’s all good.
Each time I give blood I am reminded of the great mystery of our blood, and how it works tirelessly to keep us alive, coupled with the awe and wonder of the human body. Plus the amazing process by which the Red Cross extracts my blood and delivers it to someone who needs it — just astounding. So well done. Bravo! Kudos to the Red Cross for your exemplary service.
So here’s your reminder that an opportunity awaits you…do you want to raise your self-esteem? Do estimable acts! Giving blood is a mood changer, uplifter and total Mitzvah blessing, in the full sense of the word. Go for it! Click here to find nearest donation center in USA.
Read about “The free spirit who rafted across the Atlantic,” (THE WEEK, Feb. 11, 2011). Here’s a man who lived fully, a life of adventure, passion and purpose on every level. Poppa Neutrino is my inspiration du jour…
I’m excited that my advice was chosen from over 5,000 submissions to be featured in The Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar for 2011. My quote is one of 365 selected—one for each day of the year—and will be featured on January 16, 2011. My quote is “There are no perfect people here at Earth School, so let’s put the FUN back in dysfunctional! “ Find out more about this unique calendar at the Woman’s Advantage.
The Lighter Side of Transformation 