Author: Beret Moyer
Define “stress.” Most people would define stress as an overall negative feeling. What kind of feeling, exactly? Stress might feel like: anger worry sadness being overwhelmed despair shock exhaustion pressure busyness irritation fear distraction confusion etc… In other words, stress is an actual, definable emotion, not just a vague, amorphous catchall. The danger in […]
READ ARTICLEWhy is it that most people cannot remember much of their early childhood, especially anything before age 2 or 3? Many things took place during those early years, things that became foundational for later experiential interpretation, yet most of us cannot recall early events. Without early language skills and without a well-formed sense of “self”, […]
READ ARTICLEWhile reading an article on mindful gift giving, I realized that some of the best relationship advice during the holidays is to take stock of inherited traditions. What worked at one time, may not work as well anymore, especially regarding gift-giving. Many families debate, anguish, and obsess over the best way to give gifts. Pick […]
READ ARTICLEThe title of Byron Katie’s book, Loving What Is, speaks for itself. Instead of wanting what is not, we can learn to accept and even love what is, which Byron Katie calls reality. It is human nature to want more. We think more is better and that more will fulfill us and make us feel […]
READ ARTICLEI was recently listening to couples expert, John Gottman talk about the four fatal behaviors that, if all are present, can predict divorce. He calls these the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The negative behaviors are criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling (silence and/or avoidance), and contempt. What is contempt? It is total disregard for the other, disdain, scorn, […]
READ ARTICLEI love food blogs and recently reflected on the availability of good food and recipe resources that abound on the internet. Food brings people together. Food restores broken connections. Food soothes, and comforts, and repairs. Food helps people celebrate and remember and rejoice. Good food can actually lift the spirits and heal the body, mind […]
READ ARTICLELast fall’s Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert Rally on the Washington DC Mall to “Restore Sanity and/or Fear” reminded me of the intentional effort many couples make to bring love and connection back into their own relationships, after a period of disconnection. Think of the extreme bi-partisan divide between the political parties in the U.S. […]
READ ARTICLE“I give her flowers, I buy her books and jewelry, and yet she complains that I do not love her! What am I doing wrong?” “I am sensitive to my husband’s physical needs and try to please him in bed and yet he wonders if I really love him. What does he want?” The stories […]
READ ARTICLEIn their practical workbook, Mind Over Mood, Greenberger and Padesky state that cognitive therapy “emphasizes the examination of the thoughts and beliefs connected to our moods, behaviors, physical experiences, and to the events in our lives.” To simplify, if we think pleasant, calming thoughts, we will feel and act calm. If we begin thinking negative […]
READ ARTICLEIt’s inevitable – children change marriage. The way this happens is determined by the priorities couples set consciously and/or unconsciously. Some people marry with the intention of being lifetime partners first, and parents second. Others put parenthood on the front burner and their spouse on the back. Children need parents who are devoted to each […]
READ ARTICLE