Relationships
Assertiveness

Assertiveness

  Assertiveness is... caring about a situation, cause, one’s self, or a relationship enough to speak or take action when needed. preserving one’s integrity, duty, connection, or worth. well-intentioned words or actions for the benefit of truth, justice, fairness,...

The Surprising Reasons You Feel the Way You Do

The Surprising Reasons You Feel the Way You Do

  This week has been all about why having a deep understanding of your emotional life is essential to your well-being and the health of your relationships. Today, I will concede that this can be difficult work. I've argued before that emotions are information,...

Overreactions

Overreactions

Know what's really cute and hilarious? That Reasons My Son Is Crying blog. When kids' overreact, it can be quite adorable, given it's not your kid and that you are only subjected to a still photo and not the live version. You know what's neither cute nor hilarious?...

Is Being In Touch with Your Feelings BS?

Is Being In Touch with Your Feelings BS?

Look, I can handle it. I know that a lot of people out there think that it is just not that important to spend any time or energy on their emotional lives. If you've ever read this blog before you know that I respectfully but firmly disagree. Is it that I enjoy being...

Becoming Self-Assured: It’s Helpful, Not Selfish

Becoming Self-Assured: It’s Helpful, Not Selfish

Being self-assured yields kindness and contentment. This is contrary to what most of us were taught, and yet I’m increasingly sure that it is true. This is why, in my recent post about being self-assured, I questioned the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary about words...

There is No Failure

There is No Failure

I believe that failure is an unhelpful concept. I'm not even convinced it's a real thing. In my mind, it belongs in the category of make-believe creatures along with unicorns, dragons, and the Easter Bunny. Recently, Seth Godin (marketing genius and writer whose...

Perfection: The Really Cute, Organized, Put-Together BULLY

Perfection: The Really Cute, Organized, Put-Together BULLY

This is not my laundry closet. I believe what I have is more appropriately called a laundry dungeon. Still, I do love pictures of tidy, sparkling cupboards, "mud" rooms, and, of course, closets. My house doesn't look like one of these very lovely Pinterest images and...

Generosity and Love

Generosity and Love

I'm weary of assigning one day of the year to celebrate love. I'd like to re-frame Valentine's Day a bit, if I may. How about if it's one day of the year to be reminded how to stay loving? I believe that it's in our words, thoughts, and actions that we truly express...

I Wonder

I Wonder

I don't have the answer. I really don't think there is one answer to most complicated human questions. Often there are many steps that lead us towards better outcomes. This is true on the individual level and I think it must be true on the societal level as well. When...