English novelist George Eliot wrote, ‘Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.’ In this chatty age when just about anybody, qualified or not, can mount their electronic soapbox and spout off, the quiet … Continue reading
Category: Life’s a Beach!
Figuring out your feelings
Regulars here at Life’s a Beach! know that I often describe myself as a cognitive therapist. Has a nice scientific ring to it, don’t you think? Aside from sounding official, just what is this kind of therapy? People ask me, … Continue reading
Four Tips for Good Parenting
It’s often said that you need a license to drive a car, open a business or to serve liquor, but that you don’t need a license to raise a child. Though the word ‘license’ implies some sort of ‘permission,’ the … Continue reading
Love, Marriage and Money
An unknown, but apparently bitter person once wrote, ‘Valentine’s Day is when a lot of married people are reminded what a poor shot Cupid really is.’ Though that might be a bit overstated, there are certain conflicts in relationships that … Continue reading
Self-esteem must be earned
Have you noticed how we humans tend to value something less if we didn’t work for it or earn it somehow? If you work hard for your car, your house, or success in your job, these things mean a lot … Continue reading
When Self-Help Doesn’t Help
This may sound strange coming from a therapist, but I’ve come to resent the notion of “self-help” — at least the kind you buy in a bookstore or see on TV talk shows. My primary gripe is with the self-help … Continue reading
When is a Lie Better than the Truth?
A Wave reader in West Ocean City writes: Dear Dr. Hurd, As a mother of three, I was delighted with last week’s article [Lying Can Be Hazardous to your Mental Health, 4/5/06]. I have tried to impress on … Continue reading
Is It Fact or Fiction?
I received some interesting responses to my recent article about ‘feeling good’ being a primary goal in life. The majority of your comments centered on the role that friends, family and even TV news programs play in making us feel … Continue reading
Compelled to Control
On online ‘screening quiz’ at psychcentral.com suggests that concern about fire or burglary in your home, catching a disease or inadvertently causing harm to a loved one could be signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Some sort of attention to … Continue reading
Is It Good to Feel Good?
Barely a day goes by when someone doesn’t ask, ‘how you’re feeling.’ Given all this concern, it seems like ‘feeling good’ should be the primary goal of our human experience. But in fact it’s not. Wait ‘ before you turn … Continue reading
9 Ways to Keep your Resolutions
Champagne, eggnog and too many cocktail wieners can sometimes result in some pretty outlandish New Year’s resolutions. You have to admit that it’s a little tricky to ‘say what you mean and mean what you say’ when you’re trying to … Continue reading
Examine your priorities!
In the quiet moments of this holiday time, it can be helpful to stand back and take a look at what’s important (and not so important) in your life. In fact, this sort of self-reflection can and should be a … Continue reading