When the first Star Trek reboot film came out in 2009, not only did it finally become cool to like Star Trek, but we were introduced to the cadet version of the highly logical and limitedly emotional character of Spock. For those of you who are now thinking, “Really, Star Trek?” bear with me. What …
I used to keep a needlepoint pillow in my office that had the phrase “It is what it is” stitched across the front of it. I have always loved this idea and have found comfort in my own life when I’ve been able to attain that level of complete acceptance, but it wasn’t until my …
What happens inside of you when someone says “You!” to describe you, your feelings or your behavior? For instance, what if someone asks you, “Why are you always angry?” Or, “What is wrong with you?” Do you feel your internal defenses rising? Dr. Thomas Gordon, clinical psychologist, developed the Gordon Model. Gordon’s method is a …
There are three main types of communication styles and you’ve probably heard of them before: passive, aggressive and assertive. Let’s define what those styles mean. Passive communication means that you often put your other’s rights/needs first and your’s second. Aggressive communication means that your rights/needs take priority and other’s are second. Assertive communication means that …
How to Start Being More Assertive: A Balancing Act Read More
Life is full of tests, trials, hardships, and barriers. Sometimes it seems like they all happen at once. Do you ever find yourself asking, “Why me?” Or trying to figure out what the point of all your tribulation is? In my last semester of grad school I was having one of those weeks, when everything …
Here’s an experiment for you: Take a moment and think about the most recent genuine compliment you remember receiving. Is it hard to come up with one quickly? Hopefully you’re not going too far back in your memory banks to recall that occasion – but chances are that it took a few seconds, at least, …
When pain comes into our human lives we know that women, more than men (speaking statistically and categorically) feel more comfortable seeking the support of a counselor. We also know that men are comfortable expressing a limited range of emotions. While women tend to seek support more freely and feel more free to express themselves …
Everybody has a hard day. We all struggle from time to time. No one is perfect. While these phrases may sound cliche, they are in fact a path to becoming more gentle and kind to yourself. Dr. Kristin Neff thinks so too. She has devoted her work to better understanding what she calls self-compassion. Self-compassion …
It is a little ironic that the words “Yes” and “No” are opposites, and yet are also inseparable. While I might say No to a night out with friends, it means I’m saying Yes to a night with my husband, or with myself. As an introvert, it’s pretty important for me to recharge my ability to …
Mother’s Day is a day we celebrate the influential women in our lives. Mothers play a vital part in how we learn to function in the world. However, for some women, it is a reminder of what they are missing in their lives. Whether a woman has not had the opportunity to become a mother …
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