Most everyone is looking for happiness. The shopping malls of the self-help industry feature thousands of different methods, beliefs, and practices for finding it. Many of these approaches are of limited value, and we do ourselves a big favor by avoiding them. According to … [Read more...] about The Problem with Positive Psychology
Respect, Disrespect, and Self-Respect
A client of mine, Jill, complained that she was feeling disrespected by her husband, Jack. Indeed, he often mocked her and spoke to her sarcastically. He also had difficulty expressing his affection and appreciation for her. He had been raised in a family whose members had been … [Read more...] about Respect, Disrespect, and Self-Respect
Neither a Procrastinator Nor a Dawdler Be
Procrastination is such a maddening trait that literary scribes have bestowed upon it an abundance of witty attention. William Shakespeare weighed in more than once, as in Henry VI, “Defer no time; delays have dangerous ends.” Here’s a list of 180 procrastination quotes, but … [Read more...] about Neither a Procrastinator Nor a Dawdler Be
Prose to Shatter Writer’s Block
There’s nothing more painful than having writing talent—yet being blocked from expressing it. A lifeless imagination withers the spirit of the aspiring scribe. The problem is called writer’s block. Writer’s block and other creativity blocks are symptoms or consequences of … [Read more...] about Prose to Shatter Writer’s Block
Stop Smoking through Psychological Insight
I started smoking cigarettes when I was 17 years old. Luckily, I stopped within six years. I had become one of the “nicotine slaves” Willie Nelson sings about in his anti-smoking song, “Smoke Smoke Smoke that Cigarette,” who at the Golden Gate make St. Peter wait while they puff … [Read more...] about Stop Smoking through Psychological Insight