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 valedictorians, low-achieving students and everyone in between think quite highly of themselves. Violent criminals are no … Continue reading
I often encounter couples who, even after many years of marriage, maintain separate finances and bank accounts. What makes certain couples reach the decision to handle money in this way? It all depends on the individuals involved. Some people like … Continue reading
Psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman, author of “Authentic Happiness,” asserts that happiness has three components: mood, meaning, and how engaged people are in what they’re doing. “You could think of these as three different ‘takes’ a person has on his or … Continue reading
As Labor Day approaches, what used to be a ghost town is no more. We still get our share of crowds, especially on weekends. For some people, however, the thought of walking onto a crowded boardwalk or into a busy … Continue reading
Recent studies suggest that teenage rebellion and obnoxious behavior are considered a normal and universal part of growing up. But is this assumption valid? First of all, we have to distinguish between rebellion and “individuation.” Individuation refers to the inevitable … Continue reading
It seems that no sooner did summer start, that back-to-school is just around the corner! In spite of the summer beach pleasures, many parents will face issues with their kids involving academics, focus and concentration. Will your child pay attention … Continue reading
One of the biggest problems in most personal or business relationships is the false assumption that there’s a conflict of interest, when in fact there isn’t. When personal relationships degenerate into unhappiness, you’ll almost always find the partners ready to … Continue reading
It’s natural to be happy and to love the warm weather and sunshine. But as things quiet down in the fall and winter, I encounter clients who feel depressed and gloomy when the days become shorter and darker. This is … Continue reading
A reader emailed about an incident involving her long-time boyfriend. Apparently they have been dating for several years. As their relationship progressed, they began to discuss the possibility of moving in together. It was during those discussions that she began … Continue reading
And you thought it would never get warm again. Be careful what you wish for! Our annual highway clogging, bad driving and meter-feeding season is upon us yet again. Though most of us full-timers secretly look forward to it, we … Continue reading
Everyone loves their kids. It’s a natural thing to do. But love alone isn’t enough. We have to pass a test to drive; accredited education is required for health professionals, yet there is no testing process to prepare parents for … Continue reading
Cell phones on the beach. On the highway (in spite of the new laws!). In the grocery store. In restaurants. They’re everywhere. For me, the question isn’t why people love cell phones so much; it’s why people have such a … Continue reading