Change Your Name: It Can Happen In a Minute
Two minutes after I met the psychologist and intuitive, Gwendolyn Jansma, I changed my name. She said, “Such a short name for such a magnificent woman.”
Stress and Trauma: Understand the Difference in Meaning and Experience
While both stress and trauma can be challenging to navigate, they are fundamentally distinct experiences with differing consequences for our mental and physical well-being.
Positive Thinking: Did You Know It Can Go Sideways?
There was a palatable hype in the room—several hundred people yelling, jumping and hugging to the rhythm of deafening music. “Raise your hand and say, Aye! Come on guys! Say it!” That is misleading positive psychology hype.
Acceptance or Conviction: What to Do about Differing Beliefs
In a recent social media exchange, the question of acceptance of the status quo and when to uphold one’s beliefs was sparked. I posted, “When faced with an unchangeable situation, take a moment to reconsider your perspective.” I firmly believe that adapting to change is a valuable skill. However, one person’s response challenged my viewpoint: […]
Responsibility for Adult Children: The Problem and Solution
Parenthood is a profound journey, marked by a multitude of emotions and challenges. It’s a path where love, responsibility, and self-discovery frequently converge. In a recent discussion with a client, the intricacies of being a parent were highlighted and we decided this role extends well beyond nurturing and care. This mother’s inner struggle with guilt […]
Return to Center: Simple Strategies to Navigate Distress. .
Book Summary: Return to Center: Simple Strategies to Navigate Distress, Depression, and Disconnection. Recipient of the Canadian Counselling and Psychology Association 2024 counselling book award! Fascinated by Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory (See The Polyvagal Institute), I embarked on a journey of sharing valuable tips and implementing new strategies with my counseling clients. Alongside this, […]
Gossip: What Are the Consequences of Spreading False Rumors?
1. If you participate in negative gossip, ask yourself what is really going on for you. Do you feel jealous, resentful or superior? Does it give you a sense of belonging? What is the payoff for participating? Then find a healthy way to meet your need.
Work Life Balance: How to Replace it with Self-Care
The Dilemma of Work Life Balance Give up looking for work life balance! If that sounds radical, read on as we explore reasons to do so and how to do it. I recall taking a work life balance workshop and filling in the pie pieces to assess if I was balancing work with my marriage, […]
Stop Procrastinating: Nine Ideas to Help You Take Action
The self-help leader and author of Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill wrote, “Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.” Does this ring a bell for you? If so, have you wondered how to stop procrastinating? Do you repeatedly find […]
Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and . . .
Book Summary of Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, My favorite Positive Psychology book is Flourish by Dr. Martin Seligman. For many years I have been a fan of Seligman, a psychologist and founder of Positive Psychology. I was thrilled in 2009 to attend the first World Congress on Positive Psychology in Philadelphia. […]
Negative Beliefs: How to Identify and Replace Them
Childhood, adolescent, and sometimes adult experiences can create core negative beliefs. In childhood, these beliefs can be planted by the absence of parental or caregiver attention and security.
Stressed Workers and How to Manage Leadership Stress
In an interview with leadership coach, Gary Smith, we explored the commonly asked question, “How does stress affect leadership?” We discussed how to use stress in a positive way, how people’s ability to change varies, how personality preferences can cause misunderstanding, and how to support stressed workers. The leadership author, John C. Maxwell wrote: The […]