In the film, Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges’ character, Bad Blake, referred to doing what he shouldn’t do (drinking, multiple failed marriages) as his fallings. He wisely stated, “It all happens for a reason, even if it’s wrong, especially if it’s wrong.” Blake accepted his fate, even when tragic. Fate is used to describe whatever is […]
Scarcity & 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 […]
How We Contribute to the Collective Shadow
Whenever a group, society or nation strongly believes in its own moral righteousness, superiority or entitlement, the collective shadow is present. Shadow traits, usually undesirable ones, based upon race, culture, politics, religion or other qualities are disowned by a collective mass of one group and are placed onto another group or population. This communal phenomenon […]
What Lurks in Your Shadow?
James Hollis recounted a story of a man searching frantically for his lost keys under the light of a lamppost. A passerby attempted to help by asking, “Is this where you dropped them?” The searching man replied, “No, I lost them in the dark, but this is the only place where the light is.” What […]
How Do You Handle Adversity?
Have you heard the story about the carrot, egg and coffee bean? A mother placed a carrot, an egg and a coffee bean each in a pot of water. After twenty minutes of boiling she showed her young daughter the results. She explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity, boiling water, […]
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 […]
