It’s a rare mental health professional who even talks about the issue of making excuses, much less taking the position that excuses are bad. Other than myself, one of the few who has addressed the issue in writing is psychiatrist … Continue reading
Talking to people about problems related to their childhood has taught me a lot about what kids need and what they got – or didn’t get (emotionally speaking) – from their parents. It’s a challenge to guide a human being … Continue reading
A reader writes that her best friend is unhappy in her marriage. “It really pains me to see her this way. I think she’s sort of looking for someone to tell her to leave him. Is it my place to … Continue reading
With heart-shaped boxes of candy finally in the past (at least for this year), we’re now looking at the summer season just around the corner. The huge variety of restaurants here in the Cape Region can make it hard to … Continue reading
I often meet people who have an obsessive need to keep themselves and their kids busy. Every spare moment must be filled! I wonder if, for the kids, it’s pressure to get into the top schools, or are the parents … Continue reading
In spite of this month’s media bombardment about “Valentine’s Day” this and “Valentine’s Day” that, there are many people out there who are single and maybe even live alone. Not every unattached person longs for companionship, but some out there … Continue reading
It’s often hammered into our heads from childhood: “Money is the root of all evil,” or, “Money can’t buy happiness.” So how come it’s such a major part of our lives? Couples fight over it so much that it’s one … 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
A website fan sent me an interesting email. During a routine visit, he asked his family doctor what she would do if she suddenly had millions of dollars. Would she still work? Would she stop working? The doctor said she … Continue reading
We all perhaps tell lies at one time or another. Most are little white lies to spare somebody’s feelings, or to get out of a commitment that we probably should never have made. The majority of people feel guilty after … Continue reading
People often react badly when you say something they’d rather not hear. But it’s just as bad when you don’t say what they want to hear. The perfect example is an email I received from a reader: “Dear Dr. Hurd: … Continue reading
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