Searching for a cerebral outlet

How times have changed? Seven months ago I had four jobs, began a new career as an elementary school principal and decided to restructure my life to focus on my new opportunity. I closed my private psychotherapy office, resigned my position as an adjunct psychology instructor at North Idaho College, finished my 10th and final year as an elementary school counselor and wrote my final column for this paper. Understanding the position of principal requires unlimited energy and time, I pledged to give the position my full attention which is what I have done over the past half-year.

I love my new profession and expect to work as a principal until I retire but as it is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone." Focusing all attention on one job is foreign to me. I need a mental smorgasbord to keep my mind healthy and active. Presently, my brain feels like a gray matter meatloaf - too numerous ingredients, compressed too tightly and shoved into too small a space. Searching for a cerebral outlet, I wonder what in my past I miss the most? What can I bring back into my life to satisfy my need for purposeful mental distractions to the substantially dynamic position of principal? The answer is writing, Food For Thought.

Food For Thought will focus on food, psychology and education. In this column the reader will find topics including: an inside look of the effects of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary on schools in Idaho; how to cope with the death of one's parent; cooking with fresh herbs; preventing suicide; how to diet with dignity and how to die with dignity. A strong focus will also include parenting and educating children.

My past experiences offer fodder for this column. In my 32 years of employment, I've worked at 20 different paid positions. Some of these jobs include a dancing parrot and fish cutter at Skippers Seafood, a golf caddie at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, the host of "Cuisine of the West" television show, a search and recovery specialist in the United States Air Force and a career counselor at an alternative high school. I've worked numerous jobs and adapted to many career changes in my life. The experience, education and observations from my life are the focus of this weekly column. My resume includes:

* Training at the Culinary Institute of America with 12 years of experience as an Executive Chef and Food Service Director.

* A master's degree in Counseling and Human Services with five years of experience as a psychotherapist in private practice, 10 years teaching psychology at North Idaho College and 10 years as a school counselor.

* Eleven years in the United States Air Force.

* A master's degree in Educational Leadership working presently as an elementary school principal.

My goal is to make this column interactive. When I write about using the right chef knife for the right job, I will direct you to a YouTube video with me teaching the techniques of proper knife use (the knife skills video can be found by Googling, dieting with dignity knife skills. Watch it and offer feedback). When I talk about depression, I will post a video offering more information on this debilitating disorder. I also offer my private email for comments and help, directing the reader to resources and will eventually have my website back up for more information.

I hope you find this column useful, entertaining and insightful. Please email me with column ideas, feedback and questions at bprutherford@hotmail.com.