The high holy days of masquerade are upon us, and rarely does a Halloween go by without people asking me about the psychology of costumes and disguise. Ancient mystical beliefs held that if you disguised yourself on All Hallows Eve, … Continue reading
‘Tiz the season for goblins, ghosts and whatever else might strike a little fear (and maybe some fun) into the Halloween season! Pretty much everyone has something that they simply do not want to touch or otherwise encounter in the … Continue reading
It never ceases to amaze me how people can fire off a snippy email to me when it’s obvious that they haven’t even read the entire article. (I encourage those people to keep on firing, however – I get many … Continue reading
A reader writes, “What does it say about a person who offers unsolicited advice without at least a polite shift in the conversation? As an example, as I was serving a guest in a fast-food restaurant where I work, he … Continue reading
Clients often ask me if the children (or adults!) in their lives are just looking for attention when they “act up” or become emotionally distraught. This is often true, but the issue isn’t attention as much as what I call … Continue reading
Several readers have asked 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 … Continue reading
I have an acquaintance who owned successful businesses and employed people his entire life. He is now retired. In order to fill his spare time, he took a job working in a small specialty store. Money was not really a … Continue reading
A reader emails that she’s resentful over other people’s success. Rich people, TV stars, neighbors who are thriving in business … she feels they are all bringing her down with their accomplishments. Well, imitation may be the sincerest form of … Continue reading
Everybody tells me that they love their kids. It’s natural, and it sounds very nice. But love, all by itself, isn’t enough. We have to pass a test to drive; we need accredited education to be a health professional, yet … Continue reading
I am pleased to report that I have been a part of the Delaware Wave and the Delaware Coast Press newspapers since June, 2005! I did a little math and discovered (somewhat to my surprise) that the ensuing years translate … Continue reading
The subject of spanking children is a perpetually unresolved debate that stirs up a lot of emotion, but not a lot of reasoning. From a purely psychological point of view, however, there is compelling evidence as to why physical punishment … Continue reading
English novelist George Eliot wrote, “Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” In this chatty age when anybody, qualified or not, can mount their electronic soapbox and spout off, the quiet demeanor of a … Continue reading