I often warn my clients about believing arbitrary assertions. Sometimes it can be convenient to do so, but acting on something for which there are no facts to back it up can be psychologically unhealthy. Here’s an example excerpted from … Continue reading
People often say that an apology is a good way to have the last word. If that is so, then why is it difficult for many people to apologize — even when they know they’re wrong? I talk to a … 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
Most of us remember the childhood thrill of going on vacation. The preparation, counting the days — and the getting up at 3 or 4 in the morning to leave. Through the fog of fitful backseat dozing, I remember dragging … Continue reading
Do you sometimes put off until tomorrow what you should really do today? Well, you’re not alone. People often tell me that their procrastination is so bad that it causes problems and stress in their jobs and in their personal … Continue reading
A Delaware Coast Press reader sent me this note: “While preparing to have my first child, I did some research and resolved that I was going to breast feed. I couldn’t wait to share this momentous decision with my aunt, … Continue reading
A Delaware Wave reader writes that a long-time acquaintance of hers recently passed away. The upshot is that most people she knew didn’t like the woman who died. She was obnoxious, and spread bad rumors about everyone. The reader writes … Continue reading
A reader emails that insignificant things often annoy her. She writes that 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 that the parents … Continue reading
Recent demographic research has revealed that today’s aging baby boomers will spend more years caring for elderly parents than they spent raising their own children. This unusual turn of events is becoming more and more commonplace as advances in medical … Continue reading
As the summer season slowly winds down, some of us will celebrate by eating anything we want. And that’s apparently OK – if the eating takes place under certain conditions. Today we will itemize and analyze six of these alleged … Continue reading
When a child covers his ears when you speak, most of us think of it as cute. But when an adult evades, denies or ignores something significant, that’s where cute ends and denial begins. It’s the equivalent of saying, “If … Continue reading
In these days of political squabbles where everybody seems to have an opinion, the saying, “Let’s just agree to disagree” appears to be a reasonable statement. But by saying that, one is “agreeing” to disown, or renounce, what they believe. … Continue reading