Spiritual

What are your core beliefs about yourself?  You can determine this by answering the following questions:  Am I worthy?  Am I able to do what I need to in order to get the love I need?  Are other people reliable and trustworthy?  Are other people accessible and willing to respond to me? John  Bowlby believed that “the infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate, and continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment” This formed the basis of his attachment theory.  The theory basically says that children develop a framework of thinking about their self worth, about others, about their trust in others, and trust in themselves as a result of the child’s ability to have...

Generally speaking, when we dream about being rescued by  historical or mythical heroes  or perhaps more current heroes within our conscious mind (famous movie stars, political figures) it can be a signal from our unconscious mind that our ego is in need of strength or bolstering during some difficult or challenging life events.   In other words, it can mean that our conscious mind is calling out for assistance in accomplishing some task or act, that it cannot achieve unaided or without drawing on the sources of strength that lie outside our immediate reach.  The resources to successfully achieve the task or solve the problem may often lie within self, or it may be that we need to enlist the help of God or others.   The point is that it’s important to...

THE MIND IS such a wonderful and divine instrument, it knows exactly when we need protection.  In such cases, the mind will give us an excuse or rationale we can grab onto to shield us from harmful, hurtful situations.  These “defense mechanisms” the mind offers us are but a temporary shelter in the midst of a raging storm.  It is our duty, however, to move from beneath this shelter when it no longer serves our highest or greatest good.  In other words, when it keeps us from growing. Be sure not to tell yourself you “don’t” when you do want it.  Be mindful not to accept “you can’t” when you know you can.  Pay attention to the excuses you make “not to”, when you know you must.  Don’t settle...

WHEN YOU GET through whatever it is you are going through, you are going to be much better off.  You will have firsthand knowledge of what works for you and what does not.  You will have a new assessment of your strengths and capabilities.  You will have greater insights about the people in your life.  Perhaps you will have trimmed away some fluff, released some unnecessary baggage.  In the midst of a challenge, our eyes are opened, our minds blown to new levels of awareness.  When you get through this, you are going to be something else . . . a better, stronger you! Author Unknown Now, compare and contrast what effect this self-talk would have on your entire emotional “feelings” compared to wallowing in the mire of your difficult...

Can you imagine how some individuals must have reacted when new evidence from scientists and philosophers began to emerge suggesting that the earth was round; not flat as had been believed for thousands of years.  After all,  the belief that the Earth was flat was almost universal until about the 4th century BC.  Promoters of this new idea were labeled heretics and insane.  And it’s understandable how people “felt.”  This was going to literally rock their world.  Try and remember your last time standing on the beach looking out toward the horizon where sea meets sky.  It gives the false illusion that that the earth is flat.  When I look out as far as the eye can see in any direction, it really “feels” like the earth is flat. ...

I first met Jack (not his real name) several months ago.  He had been referred to me because of his struggle with addictions and extreme anger. Practically homeless, he was in his early 50’s yet looked like he was in his late 60’s.  The substance abuse had clearly taken it’s toll in very visible ways.  I didn’t know Jack, I had never met him prior to his visit, but as his story unfolded, I began to connect the dots and realized I did know some of his family members. This was quite a surprise to me and I clearly remember the precise session that I realized my connection to his children. I won’t belabor Jack’s story.  It’s a familiar one for those who struggle with substance abuse.  He was in and out of therapy, attempting to maintain sobriety...