“He pushes my buttons.” “She knows how to manipulate me.” We’re all familiar with, and at some time have felt, these particular expressions. What do they actually mean? Emotions move us. (The Latin root of the word, “emotion,” literally means … Continue reading
Category: Psychology & Self-Improvement
“I Work Better Under Pressure”…Really?
Many people sincerely believe they work better under pressure. Some experts and researchers beg to differ. Dr. Bill Knaus, writing at psychologytoday.com, says: Avoiding pressure may be a primary reason why you delay. However, there comes a time when you … Continue reading
The Joy of Certainty
Louis Pasteur, scientist and researcher, has a beautiful quote: “…After all these efforts one finally achieves certainty, one feels one of the deepest joys it is given to the human soul to experience.” Pasteur would know. He was a groundbreaking … Continue reading
“Perfect” is not Perfect
Too many people complain, “If life were only perfect…” By “perfect” they usually mean a state of existence in which everyone is infallible, and where nothing has to be earned. In truth, such a life would be boring. Of what … Continue reading
Record Teen Suicides and The Questions We’re Not Asking
According to research from the Centers for Disease Control, teenage suicides have doubled from 1994 to 2012. Edward Shorter, Ph.D., writing in “How Everyone Became Depressed” reports: Male rates are far higher than female, and suicides among male adolescents rose … Continue reading
Will Being “Too Nice” Get You Depressed?
A writer by the name of Elizabeth Pettingill, writing for wakeup-world.com on 6/18/15, writes: There is such a thing as being too nice, too giving and too caring. To overcome depression you must stop the habit of bending over to … Continue reading
The “Spirit” and Psychology of July 4th
Psychologytoday.com [7-2-15] recently interviewed psychotherapist, former monk and best-selling author of Care of the Soul, Thomas Moore. The interview centered on the psychology of July 4th, and what the city of Washington DC actually represents to residents and visitors, according … Continue reading
The Self-Esteem Equation
Most people assume self-esteem is a good thing. However, most people do not know what “self-esteem” actually is. Most probably assume that self-esteem refers to feeling good about yourself. That’s not wrong. But exactly how does one arrive at feeling good … Continue reading
Dylann Roof and Psychiatric Drugs
“The dog ate my homework.” “The Devil made me do it.” “The psychiatric medication made me do it.” Or, even better, “The lack of psychiatric medication made me do it.” We’re all familiar with the concept of excuse-making. We know … Continue reading
Why Dylann Roof Did What He Did
Do you want to understand why Charleston, South Carolina, shooter Dylann Roof did what he did? Let’s go straight to his own personal manifesto. The answer is there, plain as day. And it’s not exactly what you’re thinking. The following … Continue reading
How to Unblock a Personal (or Business) Relationship
Perhaps the biggest problem in most personal or business relationships? The false belief that there’s a conflict of interest, when there isn’t. When personal relationships degenerate into unhappiness, you’ll almost always find an adversarial mindset. Therapists who work with couples … Continue reading
“Detach With Love”: Not Yours to Fix
“Detach With Love” is a concept people with drug or alcohol-addicted loved ones learn to apply, for their own sanity if nothing else. Fran Simone, Ph.D., writing at psychologytoday.com [6-5-15]: For years, I struggled to control my adult son’s substance … Continue reading