At certain times in our life we often state, “I feel like I’m going crazy.” During these moments we certainly do not feel our usual or normal self, but what exactly does it mean ‘to be normal’? The Latin origins of the word normal, norma, means conforming to common or collective standards or what is […]
Scarcity and Abundance
In the reality show, Hoarders, the accumulation of material possessions, especially with items deemed worthless (such as yogurt containers) may evoke our wonder as to possible underlying psychologically reasons for such behaviour. When we accumulate or have difficulty in giving, we are working from a scarcity mindset. This worldview believes that there is not enough success, […]
The Myth of Happiness
As many of us are now experiencing the often ‘happier’ days of spring perhaps it is an opportune time to question the concept of happiness and in ‘feeling good.’ Jungian author James Hollis suggested that, “Feeling good may be a very poor measure of the worth of one’s life.” He furthered queried, “Think of the […]
The Best Communication Style
Virgina Satir noted that people tend to communicate using a certain style when relating with others: Placater, Blamer, Computer and Distractor. Men tend to be Blamers and Computers; while women tend to be Placaters and Distractors. A fifth style, the Leveller, is the ideal communication style. Levellers, used by 4.5 percent of people, are congruent […]
How Best to Disclose in Relationships
With the emancipated woman and the long-gone presence of chaperones, these days there are few dating rules. We post our profiles on internet dating sites, blurt too much to an attractive stranger, and find ourselves regretting jumping into a relationship (or bed); all which indicate a rapid disclosing of self to a potential romantic “Other.” […]
The Role of Imagination
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, imagination is the mental faculty to form images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses; as well as, the creative faculty of the mind. However, what is the purpose of imagination in our lives? For Aristotle, the imagination – or phantasia – was a bridge between […]
