Ideas on Mental Health & Meaning
There’s NO Such Thing as a Dragon!
...until it is destroying your home. Small dragons that sit on tables become gigantic dragons that destroy homes. That is the crux of Jack Kent's children's story. But it has very real meaning in the adult world: Daily drinking can become binge-drinking that turns...
So Live Your Life
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long...
Labor Day and Meaning in Work
Today we honor the American labor movement, and the American laborer for all they have added to the "strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country." Hopefully, you are able to take some time away from labor to enjoy meaningful fun, hobby, or socializing. ...
When Heroes Die
There seems to be an apocalyptic event every few years, if you're in to the whole comic book / superhero thing. There is a giant "RESET" button when things start to get too complicated. If you've watched the most recent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you...
Pain, Suffering, & Substance Abuse – a personal story
I don't often share personal stories about myself. As a psychotherapist, I received some pretty strict training on the appropriate use of self-disclosure as a therapeutic tool, and I've found over time that less is more when trying to help people through their own...
10 Betrayals
Infidelity, extramarital affairs, sexual promiscuity - often sensationalized in the media, these relationship destroying choices happen all too often in "real life". However, lesser indiscretions can often lead a couple to struggle significantly, and can cause untold...
Fundamental Rules for the Family
"Today, individuals are adept at making their demands on life and getting what they want, carelessly overlooking their human kinship and the bond that ties them together in needing one another and being needed." "They slide from self-confidence via...
Saying the “Right” Words
"The most important things are often the hardest to say, because words diminish them." - Stephen King But it is still important to try. "I'm sorry." "I forgive you." "I love you." "You hurt me." "I want to connect with you, but I have no idea how to." Taking...
Trust in Relationships
Successful, healthy, relationships and marriages are built on a foundation of trust. Without trust, we see relationships crumble under the weight of fear, anxiety, and contempt. Trust is fairly easy to build in the early stages of a relationship, and simple, in...
A Eulogy
As I sat and listened to people share their fond memories, as I looked at the sea of individuals seated in rows for the service and remembered the overwhelming flow of people coming to pay their respects at the visitation the night before, I couldn't help but think,...
Suffering in Good Humor
"Humor was another of the soul’s weapons in the fight for self-preservation. It is well known that humor, more than anything else in the human make-up, can afford an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation." Pain, guilt, death. Frankl's "Tragic Triad". ...
Good work, Dad.
Happy belated Father's Day to all you Dads, and, of course, to all you Moms who support us! I hope you had a relaxing day with your family. Maybe you got to watch some World Cup Soccer, or enjoy a little quiet time out mowing the lawn. I've had the fortunate...