Beth Sikora, Ph.D. dba The Wholeness Institute

06/17/2025

I encourage you to look into this workshop Dr. Robin Dilley is offering in conjunction with Veriditas. It looks excellent for anyone wanting to take a next step in their growth spiritually and psychologically. Dr. Dilley presents gently with humor and vast knowledge and experience. Treat yourself to a wonderful experience!

Water Carrier, “I see. I am so sorry you are feeling bad about not being perfect. If you come with me one more day, I have a few things to show you. If you are not feeling better after tomorrow, yo…

04/08/2025

Hope to see you there!

04/07/2025

Hope to see you here!

03/20/2025

Spring Equinox

Welcome to the Spring Equinox! It’s time to plant your gardens and get ready for Spring! Flowers and birds and time enjoyed outside after the long winter. It’s a time of hope and new beginnings. This weekend, get out of the house; spend some time outside. Go for a hike or a walk. Enjoy the sunshine. Go pick out some flowers to plant or a new plant for the yard, patio, or house. Pick something that brings new life and color into your home that you can enjoy nurturing and looking at as it grows. Enjoy this new season!

03/17/2025

Happy St. Patrick's Day! May the fairies and leprecauns leave you in fun or in peace, and my God bless you real well. And, may you be blessed by the old Irish blessing today:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

03/02/2025

March 2 Brain Injury Awareness Month
Welcome to Brain Injury Awareness Month! We’ll be featuring this all month and hope that you find some of the posts helpful in learning about you and/or your family members or friends. I work with so many folks and have over the years whose lives have been changed from acquired and traumatic brain injuries. There are 2.8 million Americans who sustain traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. each year, and each of the estimated 5 million Americans living with TBI-related disabilities has a story to share. And that doesn’t begin to count those with acquired injuries, i.e.: from stroke, dementia, brain surgery, lack of oxygen, or other disease.
The biggest thing I hear from especially concussion and other survivors, is that they feel like they have an invisible injury. They know that they have changed, but nobody else sees it and they continue to struggle with changes, but others don’t know and expect them to be the “same,” but they are not. There is a short film through the Brain Injury Association of America that gives just a taste of some individuals’ stories at https://biausa.org/brain-injury/community/personal-stories that interesting. Take a peek and you’ll get a picture of the resilience and strength of these individuals. What I’ve learned to appreciate in these folks is the endurance, the self-care, and the faith they have and develop over their recovery. It’s a difficult road, yet they traverse it with it day by day and keep going. Thank you to each of you who have taught me.

02/28/2025

I hope you enjoy making or having a pancake today. But honestly, I struggled with this post. If you check the Internet for National Pancake Day in 2025 there are multiple dates listed, 1/28, 2/28, 3/4, and one even later in September. Well, I went to the source of pancakes: IHOP. And, true to the origins of Pancake Day as the day before Lent, they say it is 3/4 - see https://www.ihop.com/en/national-pancake-day - and they offer a free short stack all day that day. So prepare yourself and your calendar today for Tuesday, and on the Tuesday, March 4th, go enjoy!

02/25/2025

Feb 23 Co-Occurring Mental Health and Chronic Illness
Sunday was Co-Occurring Mental Health and Chronic Illness Recognition Day. Although this didn't get posted yesterday, I wanted to get this posted today as it is a critical issue in mental health care. People with chronic illnesses often have mental health issues occurring at the same time. The mental issue is often not diagnosed first or may occur after the chronic health issue is diagnosed. But it is a very common occurrence. Some of the most common chronic illnesses that have co-occurring mental health issues are cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, diabetes, and COPD. And even once it is diagnosed it can be difficult to get proper treatment with doctors disagreeing on what is most important to be treated and who should take the lead. The cases can become very complex, and the doctors need to work together very closely for the benefit of the patient.
If you know someone with a chronic illness, and you think they may need support for a mental health illness, reach out to them. Let them know you are there to support them. Encourage them to talk with their doctor about what they are experiencing. They may only need someone to talk to for additional support, or they may need medication if it is something more serious. Offer to go with them to talk with the doctor if that would help them. You are always welcome to reach out to me as well.

02/21/2025

Feb 21 National Caregiver’s Day
Today we celebrate those who take care of the ones we love who need assistance. Sometimes that is a family member or friend, sometimes it is a volunteer from Duets or Hospice of the Valley, and sometimes it is a paid service. Whoever that person is, they are invaluable to the health and wellbeing of our loved ones. Today we recognize their importance and contributions to the wellbeing of those they care for as well as the family around the person. And we acknowledge the need for them to take care of themselves as well. Taking care of another’s needs can be an exhausting task, especially if it is a full-time. We need to be sure to recognize their sacrifice and let them know they are appreciated. If you know someone who is in this position, either full-time or part-time, be sure to reach out to them today and let them know how much you appreciate the assistance they give in caring for your loved one. Take them a coffee or tea every so often. Or drop off some flowers just for them. Offer to cover for them for a day off. A little appreciation goes a long way.

02/14/2025

Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day be sure to let those you love know you love them. It’s easy to overlook those we love when things are stressful or hurried and forget to tell them how much they mean to us or how much we love them. Maybe you have an important relationship that needs healing. Take a step, if it is the right time, towards healing this Valentine’s Day. And, if not, simply add an extra prayer for healing. Keep those loved ones close to you always; and let them know how important they are to your life. And remember to keep some fun in Valentine’s Day. A friend and I got together and addressed 20 valentines for college girls and others a philanthropic group we belong to supports at different times in their lives. The barista at Starbucks finally had to ask us what craft we were up to. We all laughed together and shared we were only writing out cards, but Carole and I had fun together and the baristas enjoyed watching us enjoy our task together on a Friday. Enjoy the giving of love, waiting to receive. Happy Valentines Day, friends!

02/11/2025

February is Black History Month.

Celebrate with the skill, wisdom, and compassion of invisible changemakers of industry and community building. Learn about people like inventor Valerie Thomas. Although her father recommended that she stick to "girly things," Valerie Thomas later developed 3D imaging technology used in surgery, TVs, and video screens daily. Learn more: at https://nmaahc.si.edu/blackhistorymonth .

02/09/2025

Sunday Encouragement
I'd like to pass on some Sunday wisdom from a Dan Rather Substack post today. Interestingly, it's merely a Miley Cyrus video of "The Climb", https://youtu.be/oMeSf6d4Xrg No matter what comes up in your week, how easy or how difficult, personal or professional or societal, try listening to this for some encouragement. Be well, my friend. And take care.

Watch the Hannah Montana Cast perform “The Climb” in the official music video from Hannah Montana: The Movie! Show some love in the comments below! Hannah Mo...