In Loving Memory Barnes Boffey

Dear Dubravka Stijačić,

David Barnes Boffey, a beloved Senior Instructor for William Glasser International, touched the lives of countless individuals with his wisdom, compassion, and dedication to teaching. His profound influence extended to many of our members, guiding them with his insightful approach to counseling and education. A gifted author, Barnes penned three transformative books: Reinventing Yourself, My Gift in Return, and Climb on Simon. His work profoundly embodied the idea of “reinventing yourself” — a powerful concept that inspired many to embrace personal growth and change.

Barnes was not only a talented educator but also a devoted counselor whose philosophy focused on internal control. He believed that individuals could shape their feelings and perceptions through deliberate actions and thoughts, an idea central to his life’s work. His legacy of teaching, writing, and personal reinvention will continue to inspire those he touched. David Barnes Boffey will be remembered for his courage, warmth, and unwavering belief in the human capacity to transform, leaving behind a lasting impact on the William Glasser community and beyond.

GRIEF

I had my own notion of grief.
I thought it was a sad time
That followed the death of someone you love.
And you had to push through it
To get to the otherside.
But I’m learning that there is no other side
There is no pushing through
But rather,
There is absorption
Adjustment
Acceptance
And grief is not something you complete
But rather you endure.
Grief is not a task to finish
And move on,
But an element of yourself
An alteration of your being
A new way of seeing
A new definition of self.

[Author unknown]
(above poem from a tribute sent by Nancy Buck)

Warm regards.
WGI BOARD OF DIRECTORS