As a psychotherapist specializing in helping people overcome procrastination, I have observed that procrastination takes many forms. Some people procrastinate at home and not at work, others procrastinate about taking care of themselves but are prompt about meeting the needs of others. One of the most common aspects of procrastination is being late.
I am someone who prides herself on being...
Most of us have heard the old saying, \"If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.\" This sounds cute, but how many of us really do it? Most of the time when something happens in my life that sucks, I complain and feel miserable. I used to let the list of injustices or terrible experiences build up and feel like a martyr. Although this sometimes got me some attention and pity, it was not really...
I once heard a teaching story about 2 grizzled hunters who met in a bar in the Yukon. After a few drinks, they started to argue about the existence of God. One man insisted that there was a God while his opponent was just as sure there was no God. \"Yes there is!\" \"No there isn\'t!\" \"God exists!\" \"No He doesn\'t, and I can prove it.\"
The non-believer said, \"I was out hunting when a...
I should get my car washed. I should pay my bills. I should eat less. I shouldn\'t sleep so late on the weekend. Our lives are filled with shoulds. Shoulds keep us on the straight and narrow path to goodness. What are shoulds and where did they come from? Of course we can trace them back to the original holy set, the Ten Commandments, but I am guessing that shoulds arose long before that.
A...
Compulsive spending is a problem that affects millions of people from all walks of life. In a society that actively promotes conspicuous consumption, credit card abuse has reached epidemic proportions, causing untold heartache and ruined lives. Shopping is a pastime that hooks us into spending more than we can afford. Malls are like giant theme parks that beckon us to make out dreams come true...
Although we joke that when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping, shopaholics suffer from a major psychological problem. Compulsive spending and debting can lead to bankruptcy and ruined lives. I have counseled spenders who have embezzled money to pay for their excesses. This is no laughing matter.
Most of us occasionally overindulge and buy something that costs more than we would...
Although we joke that when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping, shopaholics suffer from a major psychological problem. Compulsive spending and debting can lead to bankruptcy and ruined lives. I have counseled spenders who have embezzled money to pay for their excesses. This is no laughing matter.
Most of us occasionally overindulge and buy something that costs more than we would...
Some people think that going to a therapist is like going to a car mechanic: they expect the therapist to diagnose a specific problem and fix it just as the mechanic puts in new brake pads or readjusts the carburetor. These clients expect something to happen to them. That is not the case. Don\'t expect the other person to have all the answers. Therapists don\'t come with crystal balls. You have...
Did you ever have a problem or emotion that was so upsetting you wanted to call your best friend because you needed a friendly ear? But what happens if no one answers? You are stuck with your feelings and misery. I have invented a simple activity to help you help yourself when you feel this way. I call it Narrative Tapping. It is based on EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), which is acupressure...
We are now living in very stressful times. War, global warming and economic disasters plague us. Yet, most of our stress arises from our negative thoughts and beliefs. We tend to think that what we think is the truth. What if it isn\'t? If your thoughts are making you depressed or stressed try these three helpful tips to brighten up your day.
1. GET INTO A COSMIC PERSPECTIVE. A very creative...
