Life Lessons

Intelligent Relating

Some of you may know that aside from my private practice, I also teach Psychology at an undergraduate level at a local University. One of the topics I cover is Intelligence. The widely accepted opinion now is that there is a much broader definition of intelligence than years ago. We now know that there are many different types of intelligence; it's not just what the intelligence test measures. More…

Take One for the Team

I have a confession to make. And I must honestly admit that I wouldn't make this confession if it weren't for the fact that there was an important lesson that I want to share with you. So, based on the greater good, here goes: I watch "Desperate Housewives." What do I get out of it? Nothing -- except pure mindless relaxation. That was until last night's episode where a particular lesson was offered. And then, today, a client came in and we were working on an issue. As I tried to explain my point to him, it reminded me of last night's show. That convinced me to communicate my insight with you as well. The show More…

Speak Up

Today's post is going to be a bit unusual. The topic may seem different than my typical ones. And ... the tenor of it may also appear unlike the one I usually take. What is the same is the motivation for writing it. This blog was spurred on by a somewhat personal situation. Though I try very hard in life to be a nice person and to approach others in an understanding way, there are times that it is necessary (yes -- necessary) to be more forceful. The story behind the story More…

Can You Forgive and Forget?

By now, most of you have most likely read articles or books regarding the concept of forgiveness. And, hopefully, if you've been hurt, you've been able to forgive. Kudos to you! But, then, there are probably many of you who are still unable to forgive the person who has caused you pain, who has emotionally wounded you. It is for you that I write this blog. I have planned to deal with this subject for a long time because I truly believe that when you do not forgive, you are hurting yourself. Anatomy of hurt: causes and consequences More…

October Awareness

This is my first posting in October. October is breast cancer awareness month and as such, I feel it only appropriate to write something regarding this topic. This concern is especially important to me not only because I am a woman, but because my very closest friend is a survivor, now going on 21 years! So, to you, my dear friend, to all the others who have survived this deadly disease, and to those who have sadly fallen to it, I honor you. No more shhh ... More…

Trust Your Inner Strength

Recently, I was babysitting my two-year old grandson. It was just the two of us having a wonderful day. We'd been playing outside on his driveway and just finished putting all the toys away into the garage. Our next activity was to be lunch, and he stood there while I closed the garage door. What had been an absolutely sunny and fun-filled morning suddenly changed. Due to some very careless move on my part, I closed the garage door on three of my fingers! After helplessly letting out a yelp, I looked at my fingers which now looked like pancakes in the fold of the door. (Ladies -- think mammogram multiplied by 100 due to the weight of the garage door.) The nitty gritty More…

Perceiving is Believing -- Not!

Not too many weeks ago, my husband and I returned from a trip we took out in Utah. While there, we hiked some national parks -- Zion, Bryce, Snow Canyon, and Kolob. I cannot even begin to describe to you how magnificent these natural sites were. I couldn't stop gasping as we turned every corner. I think by now you know how even while I'm relaxing my brain never rests. I'm always on the "lookout" for special experiences or lessons that I can learn and share with you. Of course, when you look for something, you find it (that, in and of itself, is a lesson). A little help More…

Loving Life

"Life is short." No doubt that is an expression you have all heard and I'm going to guess that most of you would agree with it. But the question that is really relevant is, "Do you live in a way that embraces that concept?" Clearly, life is also stressful. There just seems to be so much to do. And though technology was supposed to make life easier, it seems to have only added to our burden of making life more complex and adding onto the endless "to do" list. The reality More…

Excellent HBO Alzheimer's Special!

If you didn't see it or you don't get HBO, you must see these four excellent programs available online free-of-charge. I recommend "Momentum in Science" first, as it is so encouraging to see the latest research: http://www.hbo.com/events/alzheimers. The other three are helpful with managing loved ones with dementia, however, they missed a great technique when a person doesn't recognize a loved one or themself in a mirror. The trick is simply to ask their age. When they say something like "35" instead of "85", you understand why they don't recognize people how they look now. More…

Are You Stuck in Regret?

Have you ever made a mistake? Of course, you have. We all have. Do you look back at some of those mistakes or choices you made and have regrets? My guess is that many of you are answering in the affirmative. I decided to write about this because of a conversation I had recently with someone very dear to me. And the truth is that if you're walking around filled with regret and remorse it's going to impact how you feel about yourself and also affect your relationships. It certainly seems to be a topic worthy of discussion. More…