When dealing with others, it’s important to be careful about the way we phrase things. And “being nice” has nothing to do with it; the way we phrase things has an impact on how we view them, and sometimes it … Continue reading
Many people are under the impression that they can avoid trouble in their relationships by not arguing. They mistakenly assume that the absence of fighting – or any disagreement – is an indication that the relationship is healthy. But that … Continue reading
Contrary to what the drug companies would have you think, anxiety can sometimes be useful and necessary. Like, for example, when that anxiety triggers a call to sensible action. Let’s say you feel anxious at the sight of an oncoming … Continue reading
The craziness of the last couple of years has created a situation where potential retail and restaurant employees will sometimes present glowing resumes, then don’t come close to living up to what they claimed they knew – assuming they showed … Continue reading
A growing volume of research appears to indicate that self-esteem might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Studies have shown that many people – from valedictorians to low-achieving students and everyone in between – think quite highly of … Continue reading
In the current political climate there’s no lack of opinions. Many of them fall into the category of, “She never lets facts get in the way of her opinions.” People often say, with contempt, “He’s opinionated,” as if the expression … Continue reading
A reader emails that her father used to tell her to “not be a quitter.” But when she realizes she’s fighting a losing battle, she feels guilty just “letting it go.” She asks at what point being a quitter ends, … Continue reading
Many people are trained to believe that it’s always right to compromise, i.e., to meet the other person halfway. That might sound nice, but in my experience it doesn’t always work. In my experience, two things must be true before … Continue reading
A reader emails me about disagreements she has with her friend. Their differences are on fundamental levels, and she wonders if there is a point that two people reach when the gap between their values is simply too wide. She … Continue reading
‘Tiz the season for HOA and condo meetings! It also signals a flurry of emails to me with questions/comments about difficult people. For example, this one: A Delaware Coast Press reader tells me that her new HOA president is just … Continue reading
A Delaware Wave reader sent me a rather anxious email. He’s seeking “closure” from his girlfriend who recently dumped him. Closure is a vague but popular concept that hopes for a neat, painless ending along with the detached perspective of … Continue reading
People occasionally confide to me that they don’t believe in therapy, life coaching or any kind of professional help. When I ask them to clarify, it often boils down to the idea that such help requires “uncritical belief.” Well, that … Continue reading