I see many examples of spouses and partners who endure consistent and systematic meanness from their significant others. This pattern is more prevalent than you might think, and the clinical term for it is emotional abuse. There are a number … Continue reading
Category: Life’s a Beach!
Does Your Relationship Make You Happy? (DE Wave)
It’s easy to lose perspective when you are experiencing doubts about your relationship. But sometimes a temporary setback or bad mood can be eradicated by taking a step back from the day-to-day and asking yourself one, basic question: “Does my … Continue reading
Life Requires Purpose All the Way to the End (DE Coast Press)
A Delaware Coast Press reader writes that he and his wife recently retired to a beautiful waterfront area near the beach. But in spite of that, he is not happy. It doesn’t have to do with anything specific; things are … Continue reading
There’s No “I Love You” Without the “I” (DE Wave)
The Cape Region is a prime spot for charities, volunteering, and the like. But it’s important to remember that you should first nurture your sense of self before you donate your time or money to the many causes out there. … Continue reading
Age Differences in Relationships: Good or Bad? (DE Coast Press)
A visitor to my website writes that he has fallen in love with a woman who is fourteen years his senior. He tells me that he generally goes for people his own age, but that he’s never felt so good … Continue reading
What Makes Argumentative People That Way (DE Wave)
Dear Dr. Hurd: My husband disagrees with everything. If I say the sky is blue, he will engage me in a battle over “how blue.” If a friend gets a new car, he’ll launch into a lecture — in front … Continue reading
The Perils and Positives of “Agreeing to Disagree” (DE Coast Press)
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 in fact, one is “agreeing” to disown, or renounce, what they believe. From … Continue reading
How to Take Criticism Rationally (DE Wave)
After the release of my third book, “Bad Therapy, Good Therapy (and How to Tell the Difference),” I took particular interest in columnist Robert Fulford’s article in Canada’s Globe and Mail, where he coined the phrase, “To kill a Critic: … Continue reading
How to Give GOOD Advice (DE Coast Press)
A Coast Press reader writes, “I was serving a guest in a fast-food restaurant where I work. As I prepared his food, he smilingly said, ‘Take my advice…’ and proceeded to lecture me about changing my gloves to protect gluten-intolerant … Continue reading
“People Pleasing” Backfires On Its Own Terms (DE Wave)
People often ask me why they care so much for the opinions of other people. They say that they are anxious about others’ opinions and judgments. Interestingly, all these people want to get rid of that feeling. We become “people … Continue reading
Why Rush-a-holics Rush (DE Coast Press)
Readers ask me if it’s possible to be a “rush-a-holic,” i.e., to be addicted to rushing or being in a hurry. I have to admit that that’s a new one, but I believe that it’s not the rushing itself that … Continue reading
What You Know, Who You Know (DE Wave)
How many times have we heard the adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Some might call it conventional wisdom, but as far as I’m concerned it’s just conventional – at best. To place an emphasis on … Continue reading