Empowering people to make strengthening choices
Most of us try to avoid sadness. When we feel low or down, we tend to distract ourselves or push those feelings away. But neuroscience shows that allowing yourself to feel sadness—rather than avoiding it—can actually support your recovery from depression and negative moods. This process is crucial when healing from depression. The Science Behind […]
In my last post, I talked about using affirming statements as a way of uplifting others, boosting motivation, and reinforcing desired behaviors. My experience is that well-chosen words can have an immediate and lasting impact. I now want to go one step further by sharing the skill of affirming others, specific steps that will make […]
We all want to feel seen and valued. At our core, we long to know that we matter—that our actions, presence, and efforts are recognized by others. One of the most powerful ways to meet this need is through the skill of affirming others: recognizing people for their contributions, character, or efforts in a sincere […]
The dictionary defines respect as “to hold in high regard; to feel or show honor or esteem towards something or someone.” When we respect someone, we make positive assumptions about their worth, capability, or potential. These assumptions guide how we act towards them. So often we think of respect as something someone must earn. In […]
In my last post, I talked about building goodwill by radiating a friendly, kind, benevolent, or cooperative attitude towards others. These are traits that most of us consider desirable. If given a conscious choice, most of us would choose to live from the affable emotional state of goodwill. And yet how often is our goodwill […]
I think of goodwill as an attitude which is friendly, kind, benevolent, helpful, or cooperative. Someone expressing goodwill radiates not only friendliness but openness and trust towards others as opposed to hostility and annoyance. Take just a moment to consider someone you know who comes from goodwill. Those in their presence feel seen and valued, […]
I’ve talked before about the distinction between your life and life situation. To give you a quick metaphor, your life situation is the pond you swim in – your relationships, your environment, your job, your health, etc. But your life is how you choose to swim through it. Even if there are storms or predators […]
Imagine that Trish, an 8th grader, comes home from school and throws her books on the floor. Mom responds, “Hey, you don’t throw books. You come and pick these up, right now, young lady.” Trish turns and runs up to her room in tears, ignoring her mom’s, “Get back here.” An Anxious Mom Fuming and […]
