It is not unusual to feel pressure to be grateful. We know others have more serious problems and challenges; we know there are parts of the world where our standard of living would be considered truly exceptional, even with whatever shortcomings we experience day to day. We should be thankful and remember always that we […]
The concept of being “low maintenance” is frequently celebrated as a badge of honor, a symbol of resilience and ease. But the notion of priding oneself on being low maintenance can inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes, undermine the value of vulnerability and authentic expression, and foster a culture of emotional suppression and neglect. Today, we challenge […]
Science has proven that the species most adaptable to change is the one most likely to survive. Being adaptable is also a precious skill for us as people. Because how likely we are to thrive is often directly related to how well we handle the changes that life brings our way. Not what those changes […]
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Are you old enough to remember hearing this chant as a child? Oh, how wrong we were. The power of words is intense. And verbal abuse is so common, we may even not realize when it is happening to us, or someone […]
Let’s face it, sometimes faking it is the best thing to do. What we need to do. And the more we do it, the better we get at it. We can fake it multiple times a day if we need to. I mean, hopefully, every once in a while, it’s genuine. But maybe not as […]
We all experience negative emotions from time to time. For example, when working toward a goal, it’s easy to become frustrated if our progress is not as steady or fast as we would like it to be. After all, in today’s world, instant gratification has become an expectation. So much happens with just 1 tap on […]
Loneliness has little to do with how much time we spend alone. And it can’t be eradicated by just spending time with others. In fact, we can be among a crowd of family and friends and feel lonelier than when we are alone. Loneliness may present as almost a craving, a need for companionship, intimacy, […]
Do you remember the book and movie “Love Story”? It was popular back in the 1970s, and the tagline was “Love means never having to say you’re sorry…” Although many people loved that movie, I hope few embraced that sentiment, because nothing could be further from the truth. It’s important for us to give each […]
Some days, our thoughts seem to have a mind of their own, so to speak. We can know in our hearts and brains that positive thinking is better for us. In fact, we can train our thoughts to improve our happiness. Yet often, our minds wander to the worst possible outcome, explanation, or assumption. We […]
No matter how jam-packed our lives are, we all experience bouts of boredom from time to time. The last few years, with intermittent periods of social distancing and shutdown have meant it has become more prevalent and common for many of us. Adults, children, teenagers, the elderly: everyone has been a little more vulnerable to […]
Do you tend to be cynical about other people? Is it difficult for you to form friendships or enter into romantic relationships? When you do, do you often feel jealous or suspicious? Do you distrust your parents or family? There’s a word for feelings of intense mistrust, or prevalent ‘trust issues’, especially in the context […]
Trauma related disorders include an extensive array of psychological challenges. Difficulty with intimacy and relationships. Anxiety and depression. Substance and Alcohol abuse. Eating disorders. It is not surprising that trauma can have such a wide range of impacts on us. What is surprising? The frequency of trauma both in the US and the world. And […]
We had a lovely day with mild temps and sunshine this week. The first time in months! It’s incredible how much it lifts our spirits to have a break from grey skies, cold, and rain. According to the calendar, I’m overdue to start spring cleaning. Now that the weather has shifted, I’m ready to do […]
Sometimes, making a mistake can have dire consequences. A doctor must choose the best procedure for a patient and execute it flawlessly. Engineers must develop cars without defects. Architects must design buildings that will not fall down. These things we know. But there are other situations when doing something wrong is actually a sign that […]
When we’re trying to lose weight, we have to watch our diet and make sure we’re getting enough physical activity, too. Diet is most important, but exercise is crucial to improving our overall health and fitness, building our stamina and increasing our muscle strength, especially as we age. So, it’s essential to figure out how […]
