Compassion and Empathy
Compassion means “to suffer together.” It comes about when you witness another person’s suffering and are motivated to help relieve it if you can. Empathy is the ability to see another’s perspective or pain – even feel it – without actually having the experience. Sympathy is when you understand the pain, and it is likely […]
Comparative Suffering
Yesterday, a well-meaning neighbor walked by, and we were catching up. I told her about my daughter’s dog, and then I told her we just found out about my son’s dog having cancer, too, and I said, “It’s been a bit too much, too much piling on right now.” Then she said, “Well, at least […]
Putting a Dent In the Universe
“We’re here to put a dent in the Universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?” – Steve Jobs My word this year is UNSTOPPABLE. The dictionary defines unstoppable as “impossible to stop or prevent.” If I am going to put a dent in the universe, as Mr. Jobs suggests, then I’m going to have to […]
The Need To Develop Psychological Flexibility
Ed Mylett said, “I don’t do things based on how I feel, I do things based on who I am.” As I have thought through the past year and given it a serious analysis, there’s one thing that keeps popping into my head: Every thought I think doesn’t have to be processed, believed, or obeyed. […]
Getting Off the Carousel of Procrastination
To make a dent in the universe, as Steve Jobs offered as the reason we’re here, we need to not only come to terms with today, but also with yesterday, our emotional tie to the past, AND why, when we’ve determined we want something other than what we have, we STILL PROCRASTINATE! What the heck? […]
Overwhelmed? Here’s How to Reclaim Your Brain and Body Before You Break
We all know the feeling: life doesn’t just throw one thing — it throws five, all at once. A sick kid or an elderly parent who needs a lot of attention. a work deadline you’re likely not going to make. An unexpected bill. A friend in crisis. And then your dog has a lump that needs […]
Energy Flows Where Your Attention Goes
The “P word” stops us from making our collective dents in the universe. Yesterday, we focused on dealing with constraints because “sometimes” we use constraints as excuses for procrastination. I do anyway, so maybe this is more of a “Constraint Confessional” than anything?:-) We have 5840 hours of awake time each year (if we’re getting […]
Self Care and Investment
It’s important to take time for yourself, and it is an investment in the well-being of your future self. Our comfort zones tend to keep us nailed down to the same Groundhog Day, on repeat over and over again. BUT– we have the ability to choose to change our lives and see things through a […]
The Shroud of Silence: How Shame Took Root in My Story
When I was younger, I wore the smile of someone who had it all together. I was a high-functioning, good grades, always-fine kind of girl. My brother called me “golden girl” because everything I touched seemed to work out. But under that practiced smile was something else entirely: shame. Not the obvious kind, mind you. […]