Jeffery E. Young and Janet S. Klosko researched and developed the following schemes they called “lifetraps” or negative behavior patterns. Although awareness is the first step in understanding our behavior, the solutions in this book ran along traditional lines of psychotherapy and only recommended potential solutions. So this book is about recognizing the traps that may…
What’s your happiest memory? When I was in my mid-twenties I suddenly became ridiculously happy. Everything seemed brighter and better than it had ever been before. I delighted in the birds singing, the flowers growing, the blue skyshar, and the joy of being alive. I went on an amazing, natural high. Nothing bothered me. The…
We’ve all been there – making resolutions about changes we want to make in our life or goals we want to achieve: to lose weight, to be more mindful, to write more, to finally pursue that dream we’ve been sitting on for the past five years. Usually, we start out strong for the first few…
Thich Naht Hanh, the Zen Buddhist master, has some interesting advice about what it means to truly let go. Many people mistake detachment or non-clinging to be a form of aloofness, or emotional disconnect from others, but as Hanh explains, truly letting go often means loving someone more than you have ever loved them before.…
I’ve never been the smartest, fastest, or most talented person. When I played sports growing up, I was the last player waved in from the bench. I was usually one of the last students to finish tests. I don’t pick up complex concepts on the first attempt. I don’t fixate on these perceived weaknesses because…
The benefits of gratitude are manifold. Studies show that practicing and experiencing gratitude boosts feelings of satisfaction, strengthens our relationships and drives us to help others. Despite these benefits, we aren’t always able to express gratitude, sometimes because we’re too busy, other times because negative feelings overshadow the good in our lives. Here are seven easy exercises that help…
“I want to taste and glory in each day, and never be afraid to experience pain.” – Sylvia Plath I used to love Sylvia Plath. It always seemed like she understood me. There is something deeply beautiful and moving about the thread of sadness in all her poems. When I was stressed and emotional, she…
“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill At 29 years old I found myself broke, living at home (for the third time), unemployed and a failure. I had spent the past two years of my life going through personality tests, panel interviews and…
Safety and security are important. However, one soon learns that obsessively pursuing external material needs at the expense of self-growth leaves behind an internal vacuum of mixed emotions and mental confusion. Consciously approaching and understanding these internal signals is what will propel you into a domain of personal empowerment, progress, and exciting growth that most are unable…
When I began the process of examining my life, I didn’t have the intention to achieve life-mastery – I just wanted to be happy. I wanted to make the necessary changes in my life so I could live more simply, have less responsibility and stress, and ultimately have more time and freedom. I thought I…