Since 1991, the United Nations has designated October 1 as International Day of Older Persons. Canada has named this date, National Seniors Day. The day honours the contributions of seniors and draws attention to the increasing greying or aging of the population. From a psychological perspective, being a senior marks a shift from mid-life, usually […]
Letting Go of Perfection
In the film, Black Swan, the ballet director challenged Nina, the featured dancer played by Natalie Portman, by stating, “I never see you lose your self.” He further explained, “Perfection is not just about control. It’s also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience.” One explanation for the need for perfection […]
Finding Your Vocation
Morrie Schwartz, in ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom, stated, “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, […]
Individuation – Finding Your Own Path
You may be familiar with Henry David Thoreau’s saying, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” Thoreau metaphorically advises one to ‘be your self.’ However, what does it really […]
It’s okay if you are not normal
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 […]
The Public You is a Compromise – The Persona
Oceanside Star February 24, 2011 The actor Claire Danes recently stated, “The life of my persona has nothing to do with me.” In Latin, persona originally meant a mask worn by actors to indicate the role they played. Carl Jung used the term persona to represent the ‘I’ that one presents to society. It is […]
