Thoughts & Observations

Welcome to the blog, a chance for me to share in small doses (but don’t hold me to that!) thoughts that I hope are largely amusing, potentially poignant, on occasion insightful and rarely blah.


Leslie Gura Leslie Gura

Writing Space

Having a place to write is important; having head space is more important.

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Leslie Gura Leslie Gura

Big T, little t

Traumas in our lives can be of the “Big T” or “little t” variety. Both cause emotional duress. It’s important to recognize and deal with them.

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The Catharsis of Writing

When you experience anxiety symptoms—a pain in gut, tightness in the chest, a splitting headache—trying to understand what just happened is important. Journaling is a tool that can help.

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Escaping From a Cult

Change comes in many forms. For Lisa Williams, it was breaking free from a cult that dominated her adolescence and a family tied to a church culture she didn’t believe in.

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The Mystery of Change

How do you know when it’s time for a change? Sometimes you can dial in to signals. Other times you have to use your gut instinct.

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The Struggle to Know

Pet owners recognize the toughest decision there is: when to say goodbye. Sharing about how my wife and I came to decide about our beloved Nilla.

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Christmukkah!

Interfaith households can pose a holiday season challenge, but also provide the opportunity to be curious and grow as individuals and couples.

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A Novel Update

Writing and publishing a novel is hard and tedious work. And sometimes takes longer for unexpected reasons. An update on the publication process for Unwrapping.

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The Bifocals Dilemma

I first learned I needed glasses when I was in sixth grade. I didn’t start wearing them until college. Why? The bifocal dilemma.

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Leslie Gura Leslie Gura

Talking Turkey

The first time my wife, Terrie, and I both knew our relationship was serious? It had to do with Thanksgiving turkey. A holiday tale.

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Office Decor

Some counselors keep their lives to themselves. Me? I like to share little tidbits of who I am—especially in decorating my office and especially when they create conversation that helps the therapeutic relationship.

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Mentors Aplenty

If we’re lucky, our lives are filled with mentors, helping us along to personal and professional growth.

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Leslie Gura Leslie Gura

Key Moments in Life

Finding deeper meaning—a key moment in life—through a seemingly innocent picture from childhood.

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Leslie Gura Leslie Gura

Free to Write For Me

For the first time in 43 years of working life, I’m not being paid to write or edit. It’s weird. And oddly liberating.

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Home Sweet

When the cosmic tumblers slip into place, a home envisioned as “temporary” can become much more.

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