Take a moment to think about who you blame for your feelings of hurt, anger, resentment, aloneness, emptiness, shame, loneliness, helplessness, inadequacy, depression, anxiety, fear, and so on. What is really going on inside when you blame someone else for your feelings?

Most of us put a lot of emphasis on our relationships: family, friends and significant others. But, did you know that the relationship you have with everyone else is based on your relationship with you? That’s right, the closer you get to other people, the more you treat them the way you treat yourself. That [...]

As social beings, our desire for connection is a deep and powerful force within us. Babies who do not experience connection with a caregiver do not thrive or may even die. Deep connection with another is one of the greatest joys in life.
Yet for many people, this deep and joyous connection eludes them. Try as [...]

None of us wants to think about it, but the standard definition of a totally successful relationship is the old, traditional “til death do us part.” Any time we love, whether it’s a life partner, a dear friend, a child, a sibling, a parent or even a beloved pet, we are risking the loss of [...]

“…no one ever pushes you toward freedom. You need to take that for yourself.” –Joan Erickson, wife of psychologist Erik Erickson, quoted in Joan Anderson’s book, A Walk on the Beach.
Do you believe that someone has to give you your freedom? Do you believe that you can be free only when you have others’ approval? [...]

Who do you choose to be most of the time - someone who is grateful a lot or someone who complains a lot? Which one you choose determines how happy or unhappy you feel.

As life develops, many of us have an urge to focus on the deeper issues — our dreams and goals, and our emotional and spiritual development. When this happens, life gradually becomes more about meaning and satisfaction and less about obligations and accomplishments. As you mature, you can focus on living the life [...]

We were just sitting on the warm grass, side by side, enjoying the sunshine. Little did I know my dog Pip was going to teach me something very important that lazy afternoon.