‘Tiz the season for some people to set their holiday expectations very high. Sometimes too high. The requirement for “comfort and joy” can sometimes set the stage for tension, particularly among family and couples. Clients often admit to me that … Continue reading
I have an acquaintance who owned successful businesses and employed people his entire life. He is now retired. In order to fill his spare time, he took a job working in a small specialty store. Money was not really a … Continue reading
Few things are more annoying than being nagged (except perhaps being accused of it). Nagging stems from the false belief that repetition creates motivation. It never does, and in fact, it lowers respect and reveals weakness by implying, “I have … Continue reading
All this hubbub about food and feasting over the last week or so got me thinking about a fascinating case involving a friend. She had been morbidly overweight for years when she suddenly contracted a bad sinus infection that left … Continue reading
I always like to wait until AFTER Black Friday to publish an article on this subject. After all, it can be fun, and does help our businesses. But the question remains: is the frenzy good, bad or indifferent (and anyone … Continue reading
A Coast Press 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 … Continue reading
“Say what you mean, and mean what you say.” This venerable and oh-so-true expression reveals a lot about the importance of integrity, honesty and keeping your word in your day-to-day life. Years ago, I had a neighbor who felt it … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, My mother is 91, lives alone, doesn’t drive, and is in pretty good health. Since she moved here, she has become very manipulative. She exaggerates her hearing and vision problems, and invents situations to get what she … Continue reading
‘Tiz the season, and the holidays are upon us. This time of year gets me thinking about how different people interpret the meaning of Thanksgiving. Of course, conventional wisdom suggests that Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful. That sounds … Continue reading
Far from being something mysterious, the power of suggestion is often a part of everyday life. For example, let’s say you mistakenly drink a caffeinated beverage close to bedtime, but don’t realize it until the next day. You’re surprised that … Continue reading
It amazes me how people act like smart consumers in some situations, and like helpless pawns in others. Consider the way most of us handle the news — especially television news. I don’t care which news station you watch; they … Continue reading
A weekly reader of this column emails that insignificant things often annoy her. For example, she was upset in a restaurant recently because a child was making some noise. She admits that the kid was just being a kid, and … Continue reading