Journey to Healing

Aging

My Life in Numbers

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on September 27, 2025

Personal Perspective: So many of the milestones in my life are reflected through numbers. Whether they represent years, miles, or pets, the numbers add up to a fulfilling life.

Personal Perspective: So many of the milestones in my life are reflected through numbers. Whether they represent years, miles, or pets, the numbers add up to a fulfilling life.

Confidence

Silencing Negative Voices

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on July 30, 2025

Personal Perspective: When I reflect on where I was and where I am, I wouldn’t do anything differently except increase the volume of my own voice and silence the others.

Personal Perspective: When I reflect on where I was and where I am, I wouldn’t do anything differently except increase the volume of my own voice and silence the others.

Relationships

Discovering the Joy of Sundays

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on May 15, 2025

Personal Perspective: I learned to love Sundays from my father and the joys they held, despite my mother's dislike for this day.

Personal Perspective: I learned to love Sundays from my father and the joys they held, despite my mother's dislike for this day.

Stress

Relieving My Daily Stress

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on April 1, 2025

Personal Perspective: Despite my "up" personality, I find that every day, a new layer of anxiety appears and tries to envelop me—but there are always reasons to smile.

Personal Perspective: Despite my "up" personality, I find that every day, a new layer of anxiety appears and tries to envelop me—but there are always reasons to smile.

Emotions

Chewing Gum: A Habit Filled With Memories

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on February 1, 2025

Personal Perspective: Gum chewing, a habit I've had for over 60 years, relaxes me and connects me with my past. How incredible that a simple act can add so much to one's life.

Personal Perspective: Gum chewing, a habit I've had for over 60 years, relaxes me and connects me with my past. How incredible that a simple act can add so much to one's life.

Friends

Finding Meaning Every Day

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on December 9, 2024

A Personal Perspective: My days consist of finding meaning. The day ahead of me is one in which I seek joy through feeding my soul.

A Personal Perspective: My days consist of finding meaning. The day ahead of me is one in which I seek joy through feeding my soul.

Self-Talk

Learning to Mute the Negative Voices Within

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on October 16, 2024

Personal Perspective: Here's how to replace those negative inner voices with healthier, more productive ones instead of letting them define you.

Personal Perspective: Here's how to replace those negative inner voices with healthier, more productive ones instead of letting them define you.

Beauty

We Discover Beauty When We Pay Attention

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on August 20, 2024

Personal Perspective: We can find beauty on a daily basis, within a conversation with little ones, with our furry loved ones, and within our memory banks.

Personal Perspective: We can find beauty on a daily basis, within a conversation with little ones, with our furry loved ones, and within our memory banks.

Family Dynamics

My Replacement Child Legacy and Additional Research

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on July 5, 2024

Why were there pictures of a toddler throughout the house, yet we weren’t permitted to talk about him or ask questions? Why did my mother stay in bed for hours, so exhausted?

Why were there pictures of a toddler throughout the house, yet we weren’t permitted to talk about him or ask questions? Why did my mother stay in bed for hours, so exhausted?

Family Dynamics

Coffee-Infused Memories

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on May 13, 2024

A Personal Perspective: So many childhood recollections began and ended with my father’s coffee and his teaching me to love this beverage.

A Personal Perspective: So many childhood recollections began and ended with my father’s coffee and his teaching me to love this beverage.

Empathy

Conversations With My Younger Self

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on March 3, 2024

Personal Perspective: The gift of years enables me to look at the past with understanding, acceptance, and ultimately joy.

Personal Perspective: The gift of years enables me to look at the past with understanding, acceptance, and ultimately joy.

Self-Esteem

Fighting the Insecurities of Feeling Second Best

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on December 22, 2023

Personal Perspective: My insecurities often center on feeling second best, the sense of being chosen last on a dodgeball team.

Personal Perspective: My insecurities often center on feeling second best, the sense of being chosen last on a dodgeball team.

Happiness

Contentment Is a Point of View

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on October 27, 2023

A Personal Perspective: In Zimbabwe, I was reminded gratefully, yet again, to recalibrate and appreciate the basics of my life: family, friends, love, food, and sunshine.

A Personal Perspective: In Zimbabwe, I was reminded gratefully, yet again, to recalibrate and appreciate the basics of my life: family, friends, love, food, and sunshine.

Attention

Because I Paid Attention, I Learned

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on August 12, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Paying attention to those around me and what they say, and do not say, has ultimately enriched my life.

A Personal Perspective: Paying attention to those around me and what they say, and do not say, has ultimately enriched my life.

Relationships

Not Always Great, but Finally Good Enough

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on June 6, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Despite not being "great" in many areas of my life, I am good enough now.

A Personal Perspective: Despite not being "great" in many areas of my life, I am good enough now.

Empathy

Consideration, Compassion, Kindness, and Empathy

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on February 18, 2023

A Personal Perspective: My actions of kindness and compassion are not for brownie points but for understanding that these qualities and actions add joy to my and others' lives.

A Personal Perspective: My actions of kindness and compassion are not for brownie points but for understanding that these qualities and actions add joy to my and others' lives.

Gratitude

What Our Pets and Little Ones Can Teach Us

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on December 3, 2022

A Personal Perspective: My little ones and furry one wake up intuitively expecting a marvelous day, and they help guide me back to joy.

A Personal Perspective: My little ones and furry one wake up intuitively expecting a marvelous day, and they help guide me back to joy.

Friends

Snippets of a Life: Memories that Define Me

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on September 21, 2022

What are the everyday memories we hold within, even from years ago, that help mold the person we are today?

What are the everyday memories we hold within, even from years ago, that help mold the person we are today?

Career

My Mother's World: Her King Sized Bed

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on July 21, 2022

A Personal Perspective: I adjusted my young life to many prone activities, and all of this became normal; a level of warmth and comfort enveloped me as I lay on her bed.

A Personal Perspective: I adjusted my young life to many prone activities, and all of this became normal; a level of warmth and comfort enveloped me as I lay on her bed.

Gratitude

Attitude and Gratitude Are My Focus

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on May 12, 2022

A Personal Perspective: With every passing year, my outlook is that of gentle acceptance. When out of focus, I remind myself about my attitude and gratitude.

A Personal Perspective: With every passing year, my outlook is that of gentle acceptance. When out of focus, I remind myself about my attitude and gratitude.