I have a lot of names for my scale. 1) Liar 2) So-this-is-what-I-get-for-eating-pasta. 3) Ughhh (Nickname: Grrrrrr) 4) …*bleep*… Then I’ll chastise myself for choosing to step on this hell-spawned contraption and for gaining whatever amount it says. I’ll add whatever food du jour I ate to my “Must-not-have-even-though-I-want-to” list, then I’ll proportion the amount […]

Being in the psychology field, I’ve come across a lot of hard-luck stories – and stories of amazing human triumph. I am amazed at the strength of the human spirit to overcome difficult childhoods, toxic relationships, traumatic experiences, and debilitating mental health problems. That saying that “God only gives you what you can handle” most […]

The term “burnout” gets thrown around a lot, but what is it, really? I look at it as a sequence, a build-up right before the boom – or in this case, the white flag. When things start to get hectic at work, the initial onset of stress feels like you’re on edge – your stomach […]

“It’s not funny! It was scary!” This was the admonishing remark from my mother after I giggled at the dream she had had the night before…something about my grandmother (who has passed on) choosing my mother’s basement as a final resting place. My mother – who spends most of her TV time watching disturbing crime […]

I figured if I wrote the title in French, it would sound a bit more romantique. I was intending to talk about our research on paranormal beliefs, but I realized it wouldn’t be very apropos this week – unless we talk about tragic romances. Quick romantic history facts: Antony died in Cleopatra’s arms, after stabbing […]

It would be a misconception to say that procrastinators don’t get anything done. They do – eventually. For example, when I have an overwhelming writing task ahead of me, particularly something I am not motivated to do, the pile up of dust and papers on my desk will suddenly become Code-Red important. Obviously, I need […]

Some people have no qualms about disclosing intimate details about their life – and this is without the cajoling affects of alcohol. As soon as people hear I’m in the psychology field, one of two things will happen: They’ll either shut tight like a clam and make sure they don’t say anything I will “analyze,” […]

Symptoms: Paleness, rise in blood pressure, shaking, confusion, anxiety. Diagnosis: You’ve just received your credit card bill. Prognosis: Hopeful, but only with immediate intervention. Prescription: 50% dose of Discipline, 50% dose of Professional Help (e.g. financial adviser, therapist). To be taken in conjunction with surgical removal of credit card from your hand. Wallets become a […]

Spiritual teacher and guru Dr. Wayne Dyer eloquently summed up the dark contrast of hostility when he said “Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world.” Some bouts of hostility are, for argument’s sake, understandable. Catching a cheating lover (twice), getting your buttons repeatedly pushed by an […]

“By the time you swear you’re his, shivering and sighing, and he vows his passion is infinite, undying – Lady, make note of this: One of you is lying.” Dorothy Parker Men get the bum rap when it comes to commitment. The media has turned their relationship phobic tendencies into a running joke, where men […]

(I so cleverly reserved this blog topic for the holidays – because you know you’re going to need it!) I’ve often heard people say that stress is “just a part of life.” If you tell them that things are hectic at work or at home, they’ll likely nod their head sympathetically and then offer some […]

It was theologian Reinhold Niebuhr who is quoted as saying “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” There is more to this plea than a desire for serenity when faced with tumultuous times. Niebuhr’s quote hints at […]