The Mirror

The "Mirror" is described as seeing ourselves or reflections of our lives in others around us. It can be a situation were you have been struggling with your boss because you are a good employee, work hard but your boss won't give you a raise. You feel like your boss is holding back on you and does not appreciate you. You make a connection with someone who is a "boss" who confides in you that she is really struggling because she has a employee that she really admires and appreciates but she has not been able to reward her financially because the gas prices keep going up and it's effecting every area of the business. She states that she tried to tell her recently when asked for a raise that she was a valued employee but she does not think she believed her and fears she will lose her.

The "Mirror" helps us to see another persons point of view which we can often miss when we are focused on our own emotions. Be willing to look in the Mirror it may help you to see life from a different prospective.

Is Your Job Killing You?

Stress in the work place is clear to anyone who is working. We don't need researchers to tell us that! Stress and anxiety cause physical consequences. Prolonged anxiety leads to heart problems not to mention the feelings that are associated with stress and anxiety - fear, irritability, difficulty sleeping, shaky...the list goes on.

Read more about the 5 causes of stress on the job - Job Insecurity, Poor Nutrition, Sleep Disturbance, Success and Lack of control at Is Your Job Killing You?

We have been trained in special stress management techniques. Contact US!

Creating a Life Worth Living

I was at a conference the other day and the speaker spoke about, "creating a life worth living". What about at this moment, "Is life worth living? " I have pondered this question. Is this a judgemental question? There is this paradox that I would like to acknowledge. Acceptance for what our life is like and who we are in the moment, without judgement, and acceptance of what it could be! Freedom from our own current suffering requires acceptance deep within our being. If you are struggling with this concept, "Fake it 'til you make it." Life IS worth living at this moment. Accept the moment but realize too, we have potential to strive for much more.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism - a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable.

Most times people talk about being perfect or a perfectionist in a positive vein. Performing accurately, having perfect scores, being a perfect shot, settling for nothing less than perfection are all frequently quoted phrases that clearly regard perfectionism as a very desirable personal trait. Often times, people are even punished when they are not perfect as well as generously reinforced when they are. Our society generally promotes and rewards people that strive toward perfection and equally discredits or disregards individuals that “fail” to attain that standard. It is interesting that something so widely and universally viewed as a positive human behavior could also be filled with many negative psychological consequences.

In a recent article in Clinical Psychiatry News, a study was designed to assess the relationship between Perfectionism and Social Phobia. Findings suggested that individuals with elevated scores on a Self-Critical Perfectionism scale also had predictably higher scores on a depression rating scale. Also, individuals suffering from both depression and social phobia categorically demonstrated higher scale elevations in the measure of perfectionism. This studies “results demonstrate the validity of the new perfectionism scales in identifying maladaptive aspects of perfectionism in a clinical sample”. For more information view this article on Perfectionism or visit Contact Us for a FREE consultation on how to understand and cope with these traits in yourself.

Love and relationship

Valentine’s Day brings our thoughts to validating the relationships we have in our lives. Often we express our feelings through giving cards, candy, dinners, etc. Many of us have ideas about what is important in a healthy relationship. It seems that relationships are what create the most happiness in our lives as well as the most struggles. For those who have lost a loved one to death, divorce or for other reasons or have discontent in your relationships, this can be a difficult time. We can give you the tools you need to get through these difficult times. Contact Us!

Inspiration from Martin Luther King, Jr.

In Honor of Black History Month...

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King Jr.,
1963- US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 - 1968)

Parents have Significantly Higher Levels of Depression

A study by Florida State University professor Robin Simon and Vanderbilt University's Ranae Evenson found that parents have significantly higher levels of depression than adults who do not have children. Even more surprising, the symptoms of depression do not go away when the kids grow up and move out of the house.

What does this mean for parents? The study indicates that this does NOT mean there are no benefits to parents but that parents tend to worry more and realistically they have more to worry about. The value of a study like this is that it presents a realistic view of the difficulties associated with parenthood and encourages parents to seek greater social and emotional support. Click the link above for more detailed information on the study.
Contact Us! We are licensed professionals and we can help. FREE Initial Consultation.

Despair to Hope

Despair to Hope

The artist, Tim Sabados depicts the journey from despair to hope. View his website for more information. Contact Us for a FREE consultation. There IS hope.

Laughter as Medicine

Laughter is a good way to let go. Sometimes, we can take life too seriously. We become frantic, worried, fearful, sad or angry. Usually, what we are experiencing at any given time in our lives is just a drop in the ocean. It is just a dot of the whole picture.

A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.
- Groucho Marx

Medical studies indicate that laughter boosts levels of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and suppresses levels of epinephrine, the stress hormone.

So, laugh! Watch a good funny movie! Move those stomach muscles! Lighten up. One thing for sure about life is that it is always changing and we have the ability to impact the direction of our lives. Contact Us.

Chance or Choice?

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. -William Jennings Bryan

Where are you going? Does it seem you are headed for a train wreck and you see it coming but you feel powerless to do anything about it?! That it's all out of your control!

We can help you recognize your inherent power to take control of your life.

Let's Talk. Contact Us!