Do you like rocks? Do you collect them? Have you ever wondered whether your lived experiences are like different rocks—each one shaping who you are today?

When You Find the Right Rock invites readers into this quiet reflection. The story unfolds gently, encouraging us to slow down and notice the small, meaningful moments hidden in everyday life. Through simple observations about finding and holding rocks, the book opens space to think about how we recognize what feels steady, grounding, and “right.”

Our lived experiences hand us many kinds of rocks. Some feel heavy, teaching us about the weight of life through significant events or turning points. Others are small but numerous, quietly draining our energy more than we expect. At times, something fits perfectly in our hands and hearts, bringing comfort or clarity. At other times, the stones we carry feel awkward or burdensome. Yet each one contributes to our growth. The book gently encourages mindfulness—welcoming the different “rocks” that appear in our lives and noticing how they shape our understanding and resilience.

What makes this book particularly resonant is its layered meaning. For children, it celebrates curiosity and the joy of small treasures found outdoors. For older readers, it offers a reminder that meaning often reveals itself slowly and that not everything valuable is loud or obvious. The “right” things—people, places, ideas, or moments—often feel steady and grounding when we encounter them.

The Missing Piece is highly recommended for anyone exploring questions of love, connection, and self-growth. It’s a tender, insightful meditation on longing, discovery, and the balance between intimacy and individuality.

The story follows a circle missing a wedge-shaped piece. Feeling incomplete, the circle sets off on a journey to find its missing part, hoping that this “missing piece” will make it perfect. Along the way, the circle enjoys meaningful encounters with everything it meets on its journey. Each experience offers discovery and learning that enrich the circle’s path. When it finally meets the “perfect” piece, the circle feels thrilled and complete. Yet unexpectedly, that sense of wholeness shifts into a kind of tightness—one that leaves little room for growth, independence, or the simple enjoyment of life.

The story provides a thoughtful reflection on intimacy and relationships. Often, we seek a “better half,” hoping someone else will fill our gaps and act as a savior. We imagine that finding this piece will make us whole, but we may be disheartened to realize that this “wholeness” can sometimes leave us feeling stuck rather than fulfilled.

The Missing Piece illustrates the importance of nurturing personal growth within a relationship. It reminds us to remain flexible—able to work together toward shared goals, like creating a loving family—while also allowing space to pursue personal goals, cultivate skills, and find individual fulfillment. Happiness, the story gently suggests, is often discovered along the journey—both together and apart—rather than solely in finding a “perfect” other.

This book begins with the Missing Piece sitting and waiting—hoping someone will come along, pick it up, and make it complete. Like many of us, it believes fulfillment will arrive when the “right” other appears.

Along the journey, the Missing Piece meets many different shapes. Some seem to fit but can’t roll forward together. Others roll smoothly but don’t truly fit. Some have no interest in fitting at all, while others have so many gaps of their own that connection feels impossible. The Missing Piece even tries to make itself more appealing—changing, adjusting, hoping to be chosen. Yet after many attempts, it feels frustrated and discouraged about not being picked up.

Eventually, it meets the Big O—a round shape who seems confident, happy, and complete. At first, the Missing Piece admires the Big O and wishes it could be that whole. But instead of carrying it, the Big O gently declines. Rather than rescuing the Missing Piece, the Big O leaves behind an important insight: no one else can do the work of making you whole.

Inspired, the Missing Piece begins working on itself. It softens its own edges, grows, and slowly transforms. In time, it becomes round enough to roll on its own—and eventually catches up with the Big O, not as something to be carried, but as an equal.

Through this simple yet powerful journey, the story reminds us that relationships are not about filling gaps or finding perfection in someone else. Meaningful connection grows from mutual respect, shared experiences, and personal growth. Intimacy does not require losing ourselves; instead, it calls for flexibility, curiosity, and space for both partnership and individuality.

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O offers a warm and timeless message: the healthiest relationships happen when two whole beings choose to roll alongside each other—together, but not dependent; connected, yet complete in themselves.

“Not a Box” is a fun, creative picture book that promote the magic of pretend play. With simple drawings and just a few words, a little bunny shows us how a plain cardboard box can become just about anything—a race car, a mountain, a rocket ship, you name it! Every page sparks kids’ imaginations and encourages them to see everyday stuff in totally new ways. It’s a great read for little ones and their families—and a sweet reminder of how powerful a child’s imagination really is.

When a child pretends a box is a rocket ship or a mountain, they’re doing more than playing—they’re learning to solve problems, think creatively, and express emotions. They're experimenting with ideas, testing boundaries, and building confidence in how they see the world.

Imaginative play builds emotional resilience. It helps children process feelings, try on different roles, and feel safe exploring big emotions in small, manageable ways. That kind of play lays the foundation for empathy, flexibility, and self-awareness.

Parents and caregivers have the incredible opportunity to nurture this creativity every day—by slowing down, asking open-ended questions, and simply playing along with the kids. Whether it’s turning a rainy afternoon into a cardboard rocket launch or reading stories that spark new ideas, we expand not just their world—but our own.

So next time you see a box, pause and wonder with your child: "What could this be today?"  Because inside that box is more than cardboard—it’s the start of lifelong learning, imagination, and connection.

Grief and death are difficult topics to talk about at any age. Even as adults, loss can feel overwhelming—especially when it is sudden or hard to understand. The emotions that come with grief are often layered and complex, and many people struggle to find words for them. The Memory Tree offers a gentle and accessible way to approach these experiences, presenting grief not as something to carry alone, but as something that can be shared.

The story begins with Fox lying peacefully in the forest. The other animals gather around him, sensing that he has died. At first, they feel the weight of sadness and absence. Over time, however, they begin to share their memories—how Fox cared for them, helped them, and brought warmth into their lives. With each memory spoken, a small seed falls to the ground where Fox rests. Eventually, these seeds grow into a beautiful tree.

The tree becomes a powerful symbol of legacy and continuity. It reflects the idea that a life does not end simply because a heartbeat stops. The love given, the kindness shown, and the moments shared continue to live on in those who remember. Though death brings physical separation, the influence of a person remains—carried in stories, values, and relationships.

Through the animals’ collective storytelling, the book shows how healing can happen within community. Remembering together transforms private sorrow into shared connection. The growing tree also represents the natural cycle of life—how endings and beginnings are intertwined. Loss reshapes us, but it can also deepen our appreciation for one another and strengthen the bonds that sustain us.

The story gently reassures readers that while grief is painful, it is also part of being human. Shared remembrance can nurture resilience, keep love alive, and help us move forward while still honoring those we have lost.

My AI therapist

A new client shared with me about her struggles in her relationship with her parents, feeling unsupported and unseen. But she said that now she’s improving—learning to set boundaries by reducing contact and creating psychological distance. When prompted on how she managed to do this, she said she talked with AI, which comforted her and helped her learn practical skills.  Despite this perceived progress, she reflected that interactions with AI lack warmth and human presence, which ultimately led her to seek counselling sessions for more relational support.

This is becoming a common trend—more people are using AI as their 24/7 counselor. People often ask: Is it the same as counseling—or even better?

Supporters highlight its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and privacy (despite ongoing concerns about cybersecurity).  Those against it argue that AI is “just a robot”—lacking emotion, warmth, and the ability to offer genuine love and support like a real human being.

While both sides make valid points, these arguments are overly simplistic.

Many people find AI counseling helpful and supportive, but they don’t fully rely on it. They gain cognitive input and insight—benefiting from the “wisdom” generated by big data. In many ways, this is similar to reading a collection of books for strategies and perspectives to cope with challenges.

However, when people become heavily dependent on AI for counseling or connection, it often reflects a deeper, underlying issue—the lack of trust in other human beings.

Unsurprisingly, many people who seek counseling have already experienced multiple emotional injuries, which may be defined as relational trauma. For individuals with complex relational trauma, opening up to others feels unsafe. In contrast, AI feels safer: it can respond to emotional needs, is always available (24/7), predictable (encouraging, affirming, practical), and controllable. Through interaction with AI, people may feel accepted, acknowledged, and sometimes even empowered—positively contributing to the cultivation of self-identity. This form of “connection” is especially appealing to those who have struggled in real-life relationships, and particularly to individuals on the neurodivergent spectrum, who often face lifelong marginalization and oppression.

That is why—even though people know AI is “fake”—they still need it. This reflects the deep, ambivalent attachment needs beneath the surface.

Using AI as counselling without awareness of its potential harm may further fragment the self, intensify ambivalent attachment needs, and create even more barriers to developing healthy relationships. The risks are especially high for vulnerable individuals*.

While many people seek counseling for emotional support and validation, they often forget (or never knew) that the true goal of counseling is growth. This growth happens through understanding and emotional attunement from the start, followed by reflection, insight, and transformation within a safe, non-judgmental environment. It is like creating fine art—through observation, ongoing attention, and attunement, noticing nuance and uniqueness from the outside while connecting from within. This process promotes transformation through both support and challenge. It is a soul-to-soul connection—something only human beings, as fellow mammals, can truly resonate with.

So, the next time you ask yourself, Should I go to AI or a real therapist?—pause and reflect:

·       If what you need is a quick fix, temporary comfort, or a bandage solution, you may find satisfaction with AI.

·       But if you are seeking healing and spiritual growth, you may want to turn to a real human counselor who can truly walk beside you.

*Blair, A. (2025, July 20). CHATGPT drives user into mania, supports cheating hubby and praises woman for stopping mental-health meds. Click here to refresh. https://www.aol.com/chatgpt-drives-user-mania-supports-203845149.html

YouTube. (n.d.). Texas mother sues AI chatbot for suggesting son should harm his family | NewsNation Prime. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-FiCdLP5S8