From clinical experience and brain research we now know that naming emotional states can calm our nervous systems. According to Matthew Lieberman of the University of California, when you put feelings into words you turn on regions of the brain involved in emotional self-control. (more…)
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’, seems like a sensible adage, but I have some concerns with its application in relationships. (more…)
Life balance requires constant adaptation to what is going on around us and inside of us. Experts call it a state of “dynamic equilibrium” (an ever-shifting steadiness), where our changing needs are being consciously considered and understood, and then strategies put into place to meet them. (more…)
I was recently reading a book on “Positivity” by Barbara Fredrickson. In it she claims that no matter where we are, if we take a moment to ask ourselves questions like, “What’s right about my current circumstances?” or “What makes me lucky to be here?” we can light our inner glow of gratitude. I tend to agree with her. Powerful questions can point us in a different direction and can change our point of view and attitude. (more…)
Thoughts and feelings are part of our internal world and even though they are very different, they are linked to each other in many ways. (more…)
The mindset we are living from is often invisible to us. In order to become more self-aware it is important to try and unpack our assumptions and try to discover some of our core beliefs that influence how we interpret the world. (more…)
I was socialized in either/or, black and white thinking. I was also encouraged to debate in order to make my case and prove my point of view. This socialization is still hard for me to shake. I still find myself in debate mode, rather than dialogue or conversation mode, even when I am trying not to be. (more…)
In her book Spinning Threads of Radical Aliveness, Miki Kashtan writes, “I want our needs, desires, emotions, imagination, intuition and faith to be embraced as a route towards changing relations with self, others and nature.” She is “not advocating completely unrestrained expressions of emotions”, instead she believes that “reason is not comprehensive enough on its own to serve as a foundation for human socialization, and that the bias in its favour is at best problematic and at worst dangerous”. (more…)
As a registered counsellor and registered teacher with a warm and flexible style, I can help you examine where you are, decide where you want to go, and take action to move towards that destination. I have a background in performing, writing, and teaching (in personal development, communication and the Read more…
It’s a transforming discovery to understand how thoughts feed feelings and feelings feed thoughts. (more…)