Author: Peggy Hustad

“Therapy Town”

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Wellness

Here’s how my new article in Mountain Xpress starts…

“Asheville is known for many things, including adventure and nature, arts and music, food and beer, and rest and recreation. It’s been called “Tree City” and “Beer City”as well as named “best of” on many lists. But what about calling Asheville “City of Counselors”? Or how about “Therapy Town”? For those of us who are counselors here (or social workers, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists), it’s apparent that there are a great many “soul healers” here.”

Why are there so many therapists, and clients to see them, in this beautiful mountain town?  These are the questions I was seeking to answer….

I loved writing for Mountain Xpress and meeting with the therapists I interviewed for the article, including Pia Arrendell, Trip Woodard, and Joy Butler. You can read the rest at:

http://mountainx.com/living/local-practitioners-talk-about-why-asheville-may-be-therapy-town

 

 

The best is yet to come

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Inspirational

I was having “one of those” Mondays, not really trusting my new blog’s “best is yet to come” concept… then on my drive home, I looked up and saw the Honda Pilot right in front of me had a personalized license plate that said “Best to come”! And as God is my “pilot”, I guess He was trying to remind me the best really is yet to come!   ;-D

Easter and new beginnings

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Inspirational

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What I think is interesting is how you could be the same person, saying and doing the same thing, yet you get such different perspectives and reactions from others.  These two photos were taken the exact same day, a few feet from each other, yet the first one looks like it was summer and the second one looks like it was fall (it was a sunny day in October, actually).  And I was the same person, but because of a change of clothes and location, I looked different from one photo to the next.

So, as you’re thinking of how the best is yet to come in your life, remember that you are, in your essence, a divinely created person, regardless of whether someone “under values” or “over values” you.  Know that God sees and loves you as you are and wants only the best for you.  And in the spirit of Easter, with resurrection and new beginnings, we can love and value ourselves as we are, but feel hopeful that, with positive changes we make in our lives, we can keep getting better.

When I met Queen (the band, not “the Queen”)

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Music

When I was much younger, I met the band Queen…  it was awesome and I love their music all the more because of it.  I met them after a concert in NC.  Brian May was especially nice to my friend, Charmaine, and I, even recognizing us when we found them the next day, saying to us, “Have you no homes to go to?”  I guess he thought we were just following them from one day to the next (and in a way, I guess we were!)  ;-D

Here’s a picture of Brian May, with us in the background, trying to look cool about it all….

 

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Becoming Brave

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Music

I wrote a song awhile back called “Becoming Brave” with Paige Bainbridge, in Nashville.  Here are some lines in that song that I truly love and want to share…

There is no short cut, no easy way

And there’s no straight line, you can’t play it safe

But you walk on faith

You are…becoming brave

You’re free to make your own mistakes

On the road to being great

It’s time to judge yourself less, love yourself a whole lot more

Dance in the rain, even in the storm

 

Here’s a link to the song, “Becoming Brave”, featuring Paige’s beautiful voice. Enjoy!

https://www.reverbnation.com/peggyhustad/song/25169462-becoming-brave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puns about sand…ready for warmer weather

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Humor

Just in case you think I’m going to always be serious, here is a joke I made up awhile back that’s good for people who like puns…

Sand: “What’s your favorite movie?”

Silt: “I don’t know…True Grit? What’s yours?”

Sand: “Beach Blanket Bingo! Some of my relatives were in that one.”

Silt: “They don’t make movies like they used to.”

Sand: “My sediments exactly!”

I sent my joke to my dad and he responded “Grain and bare it.”  (Guess where I got my love of puns from?)   Enjoy!

Sermons I wish I could hear

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Inspirational

There are sermons about loving God and your neighbor, but how often do you hear in a sermon that you should love yourself as well? Here is “the greatest commandment”, according to Jesus:

Matthew 22:37-39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I wish I could hear a sermon that talks about the importance of loving yourself, as well as God and others. It seems like that aspect of the commandments is hidden somehow. I’m not talking about a selfish or unhealthy love of self, but a divinely inspired love of self. If you love yourself, your divine self, you are also open to loving God and others. And if you let God love through you, His love is far more powerful than any “human” love.

I hope you can see yourself in the unconditional, loving way the God sees you, so you can genuinely love yourself.  No matter what you’ve done or said or been through, know that God loves you completely, without limits.

The best is yet to come

by Peggy Hustad, posted in Inspirational

Hello! I’m Peggy Hustad, counselor, songwriter, writer, and now a new web site owner! I really like the idea that “the best is yet to come”, for my life, and for anyone else’s life, so I am grateful to be able to use “Best to come” for my web site name.

I hope to offer short posts to amuse, encourage, inspire, and hopefully bring some light and hope to those who visit my site.