It’s surprising how many people are afraid of flying. Many of those I encounter tell me that they worry about incompetent mechanics on the ground or cost-cutting CEOs sending an airplane with maintenance problems up into the sky. Everything has … Continue reading
Dreams have mystified us throughout history. We spend almost six years of our lives — 2,100 days — in the shadowy world of dreams. But because of their deeply personal nature, we know few facts about them. But examination of … Continue reading
According to a study done by LinkedIn.com, three-quarters of employees dislike or hate their jobs because of … the boss. But let’s take a closer look: If you dislike your boss because he or she has undesirable characteristics, that’s fine. … Continue reading
After a holiday or vacation time, clients occasionally admit to me that interactions with family, grown children, aging parents and old friends were often tinged with guilt. In spite of all the jokes (“What? You can’t call your mother once … Continue reading
People sometimes tell me that their spouses, family members or friends accuse them of being too sensitive. I equate that with somebody telling you, “I don’t like what you’re feeling.” That can certainly be annoying, since it isn’t a statement … Continue reading
People often ask me about the virtue of loyalty. The mental health profession generally falls into line behind widely accepted virtues as a measure of mental health, so is loyalty in fact healthy, wise and good? Many people equate loyalty … Continue reading
Parents of teenagers sometimes tell me that they don’t feel appreciated by their kids. “Look at all I’ve done for them,” they say. “Why can’t they show gratitude?” As reasonable as this may seem, it contains a huge error. Gratitude … Continue reading
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said it best: “We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.” And it works both ways! If you underestimate your potential, or if you ignore … Continue reading
When it comes to marriage and relationships, dollars and cents represent a lot more than just the basic necessities. In fact, money issues often become the means through which conflicts are played out. Though some fights and disagreements may seem … Continue reading
Do you sometimes feel anxious or uneasy? A persistent feeling of anxiety can sometimes stem from mental conflict brought about by trying to resolve two or more contradictory ideas. You might not even be aware of the cause, but if … Continue reading
Every so often, somebody proudly tells me, “Things are so peaceful around here; we don’t even lock our doors!” I don’t understand why it seems to be a matter of pride to not secure one’s home and car. On the … 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