Champagne and too many of those little quiches can result in some pretty outlandish new year’s resolutions. It’s tricky to say what you mean and mean what you say when you’re counting backwards from 10 and balancing a lampshade on … Continue reading →

The new year brings all sorts of resolutions and promises, and one of the most popular is to get things clean and in order. People often ask me if it’s obsessive or neurotic to enjoy cleaning, and I have good … Continue reading →

The seasonal pressure to make everything (and everybody) instantly cheerful and merry can be stressful. The timeless words, “I’ll be home for Christmas” can sometimes set the stage for tension, particularly among family and between married couples. Couples fight for … Continue reading →

So there it sits, buried under crumpled Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper and pine needles: The gargoyle ashtray from Aunt Mimma (you haven’t smoked for 43 years). Not to mention the deviled eggs glaring back at you from the dark … Continue reading →

Several readers asked me to clarify the difference between short-term compromise and all-out self-sacrifice. More than one Life’s a Beach! column has emphasized that the latter should never be part of a marriage, or any partnered relationship. A short-term compromise … Continue reading →

It’s never a good idea to mix business with friendship. It may seem perfectly natural to go into business with, or to employ (or be employed by) your friend, but those who have actually done that know that both relationships … Continue reading →

You need a license to drive a car, to open a business or to serve liquor, but you don’t need a license to raise a child. Though the word “license” implies some sort of permission, my point here is that … Continue reading →

A reader emails that she is searching for the reason why a man she had been dating fell apart and ended their relationship in reaction to a comment she made about herself. Interestingly, just the day before, he told her … Continue reading →

Clients sometimes describe a spouse, family member or friend as “contrary.” In other words, the person constantly disagrees just for the sake of disagreeing. Such a person is often referred to as a “rationalist” (though “annoying” is a good alternative). … Continue reading →

People often use the terms “feeling safe” or “feeling emotionally safe.” But exactly what does that mean? Usually, we think of “safety” in a physical sense. We seek safety from a criminal or anyone who threatens our comfort or way … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful. That sounds very nice, but it’s a bit too general for my taste. I like to look at Thanksgiving as a time of perspective: To think about what’s right, both with the world … Continue reading →

Holiday festivities with family and friends can be fun. But increased interaction (and perhaps cramped quarters) can also create frustration over what some people may say or do. Sometimes it’s hard to watch someone say things or make decisions that … Continue reading →