Joseph J. Novak, P.C.

09/20/2016

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Call Joseph J. Novak, P.C. in Arlington Heights, IL at 708-998-3345 now for Psychologist services you can rely on!

02/07/2016

Empty Sky

The midday sky was empty, or so it appeared to Brian. The incredibly pristine, white cotton-balled clouds were replaced by vacuous grays. Brian wondered why this particular sky was affecting him this day--the day of his 21st birthday.

As a child growing up, Brian marveled at the brilliance and vastness of the sky above him. During his youth Brian had enjoyed drawing pictures of bright blue skies with bold yellow suns. When Brian was a teenager, he yearned to fly along with the variety of birds in the sky he cherished. On many an occasion he even envisioned himself as an expert hang glider who could float effortlessly amount the billowing clouds in endless harmony.

This day however, Brian's precious sky seemed to be betraying him. Dreamscapes of lofty adventures were being replaced with confusion and doubt. Brian wondered why his sky no longer wowed him and why he was experiencing a sense of loss.

Just as Brian was questioning himself and imagining his future filled with emptiness and lost dreams, a cloud formation approached from above. The gentle sprinkling of rain followed. Brian gazed up and embraced the rejuvenating quality of the soothing moisture. The passing of rain revealed the return of the sun with all its healing powers. A wonderful rainbow emerged across the sky from as far as the eye could see. Brian viewed the rainbow with contentment. His empty sky now but a distant memory.

12/28/2015

More stories....

Cathy the chameleon

Cathy the chameleon was in a fluster. None of the other insects in the prairie wanted to play with her. Even her family was fed up with her. She felt like an outcast. Other insects whispered behind Cathy the chameleon's back. "What was wrong?" she thought. Cathy the chameleon decided to ask the wise old praying mantis for help. She found the wise old praying mantis feasting on a cloverleaf a few feet from her. Cathy the chameleon strolled up to the wise old praying mantis and shared her problem with him. The wise old praying mantis listened intently. After Cathy the chameleon finished sharing her problem, there was a long pause. The wise old praying mantis folded his pincher claws and responded with these words: "communicate your true colors." As the wise old praying mantis slowly walked off, Cathy the chameleon turned a shade of grey. "What did the wise old praying mantis mean?" "I am a chameleon. I change colors as I feel like it. If my family and friends do not understand, that's their problem." With that Cathy the chameleon proceeded to climb the nearest rock and assume the rock's colors. A green frog jumped near the rock Cathy the chameleon was resting on. Cathy the chameleon chuckled as she leaped from the rock, frightening the green frog. The green frog's faced turned a shade of red. "Why did you do that?" the green frog said. "I was just trying to communicate", Cathy the chameleon replied. With that the green frog leaped away in disgust. Cathy the chameleon was in a fluster.

11/18/2015

The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber is an excellent resource for parents. The book offers tools, stories, and insights about the often challenging topics of money, finance, and the interconnection with values. I recommend this book to any new parent, parents of children and teens, and parents of young adult children.

11/18/2015

Storytelling is part of the fabric of our lives. Stories create opportunities to debate, question, inspire, wonder and relate. No matter how old you are, or who you are, sharing a story is exciting and powerful. What better way to relate to someone than through a story? Children love to hear bedtime stories. Elders love to pass on history and wisdom to younger generations. Life events are captured forever through stories.

Stories shared here and in the weeks to come are for the ages. I hope you will read these stories, be entertained, reflect on their meaning, and share with others.

The Fire Walker
Ari was next in line to walk the path of fire. All the other thirteen year-old boys had already been chosen to walk the path of fire. Five boys quit and stumbled off in tears. Seven boys burned their feet badly. The path of fire had been a tradition in the Spero Tribe for generations. Most of the younger, and some of the older members of the tribe however, did not want the path of fire to continue. No one talked openly about stopping this tradition.

Ari approached the ten-foot long path of hot amber coals with fear and a sense of intimidation. Ari thought for a moment as he gazed at the path of fire. He knew that he had two choices: to quit after a couple of ill-fated steps or make it through to the end. However far he got, his head kept telling him that his feet would be burned, and for what? No matter what he tried, Ari could not prepare himself to walk the path of fire. Breaking tradition would mean swift humiliation he thought. As he considered taking his first step, he looked over to the circle of tribal elders and tribal members watching him. Some members were yelling words of encouragement. Some were weeping. And still others stared in cold silence.

For an instant, Ari's eyes fixed on his father's face. Ari was searching for a sign from his father but there appeared none. His father had walked the path of fire a generation ago. Ari wondered how his father would feel if he chose not to walk the path of fire. Ari knew in his heart that his father loved him and that his father's love was strong.

Ari took one more deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. He opened his eyes and with an inner strength he had not summoned before, turned and walked away from the path of fire. Some tribal members cheered. Ari's father cried with pride. Tribal elders looked on with astonishment. The Tribal Chief smiled.

The End.

04/25/2015

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04/25/2015

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