Mary Cook's Blog
Jan.28.2011
My birthday gift from three loving friends is two hours from home. I drive under clear blue sunny skies to a beautiful bungalow for three days of writing. Here I bask in comforting serenity and solitude, with skyscraper palm trees and magnificent mountains peering down at me. I begin my retreat...
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Feb.12.2010
FREE TO BE By Mary Cook, M.A., R.A.S. WWW.MARYCOOKMA.COM
Our minds can enslave us in fear, judgment, pettiness, perfectionism and arrogance. Depression, anxiety and anger can attack our hearts. Defense mechanisms keep us dysfunctional and dominate our spirits. We are used to false beliefs and...
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Nov.26.2009
GRATITUDE
By Mary Cook, M.A., R.A.S.
WWW.MARYCOOKMA.COM
Gratitude is a baby’s hand finding home in mother’s finger
Outstretched arms, when we need to cry
A soft, warm puppy asleep on our lap
Cold, hard rain descending upon the earth
Gratitude is the fragrance of fresh bread when we don’t...
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Sep.17.2009
When someone harms us or is hurtful in some way, we tend to absorb and retain these energies. We often obsess about the experience, and tell everyone we know, letting the story and its feelings grow. Our response to harm may be self-righteous indignation, or chronic pain and suffering. It may be...
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We are so much more than we think ourselves to be. We walk in the midst of grace and glory, yet our minds see misery. Great success does not come from a list of accomplishments. It does not come from money, possessions or power. It comes from listening to our hearts, our instincts, and most of all, our God. It comes from loving ourselves with all of our defects. It comes when we lay down weapons and offer assistance. We must cease defending, denying, offending, and prejudging. Compassionate caring, dignity, grace, humility, and understanding-that is what we should be extending. In the end, all that matters is how well we have loved ourselves, others, this earth, and the Creator of it all. Our ignorance of this larger truth costs us untold suffering. It is the test of this life to meet pain with understanding, exchange fears for faith, and know that we are continually nurtured by what we cannot see. This is the greater reality. Mary Cook”
—Grace Lost and Found
About Mary
I have a Master's degree in psychology, and am a registered addiction specialist with over 35 years of clinical practice and 29 years of University teaching. My private practice provides telephone & office counseling, workshops, in-service training,...





