Recently I read an article, originally written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which was adapted from her book My Own Words. She wrote about the advice she was given that helped her in her personal and professional life, and as I read it, I thought “She could have been a psychologist talking to a patient.” Or a parent talking to a child, or a teacher talking to a student. Her words were directed at women and men and were full of common sense, yet focused enough to be inspiring. Here is a … [Read more...]
Four Sentences That Lead to Wisdom
February 25, 2020 By
I love to read mysteries. Perhaps that is why I like being a psychologist so much. I think of each person as a puzzle with one or two pieces missing and try to figure out how to help each client find the right pieces to become happier, more productive, have better relationships, feel less anxious, or be better at what they do. Recently, I was reading a mystery by Louise Penny and found a few sentences that really got to me. Here they are. … [Read more...]
What Is Mindfulness, Anyway?
June 17, 2019 By
Mindfulness has become such a hot buzzword, that it is used all the time. People refer to it when they talk about medication, or relaxation, or doing yoga. Recently, I picked up two magazines totally devoted to “Mindfulness” and neither one of them defined what it meant. These publications talked about improving sleep, reducing stress, and even faith, but never defined what mindfulness is. So I thought it was time to do that. Essentially, Mindfulness is awareness or focus on … [Read more...]
Do You Know the Difference Between Worrying and Problem Solving?
May 21, 2019 By
Many people worry by focusing on the problem or situation, rather than thinking about how to make the problem go away or improve the situation that is causing them distress. When we change our method and focus instead on the solution – the problem-solving aspect of the worrisome situation – we are more able to focus on those things we can change. Problem-solving moves us toward more constructive alternatives, and has a more positive effect on our mood, while also allowing us to find potential … [Read more...]
Learning from Loss
April 10, 2017 By
I recently read a wonderful story in the New York Times "Things I Wish I had Known when my Dog Died" called What Emily’s Death Taught Me by Jen A. Miller. It talks about what a person experiences and learns from the death of a beloved pet. In this case, the author is a freelance writer who works at home and is single, so her pet dog Emily was perhaps even more of a beloved companion. The author learned many things following Emily’s death: - Most people will say the wrong thing. They … [Read more...]