compassion

Accepting “Good Enough” Friends and Partners

It’s pretty much to be expected that the people who matter most to us also happen to be the ones with whom we spend the most time. Unfortunately, there can be a downside to getting to know someone really well. Not only do we become aware of their flaws or shortcomings, but we may hone… Read more »

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Choosing Humanity

2020: Amidst alarm, heartbreak, TV binging and AI manipulation, a sense of agency rediscovered. During this pandemic, I have had unprecedented time alone. My first weeks were primarily filled with fear and horror, first overwhelmed by the mysterious, global and deadly nature of the virus and then awash with anguish and nausea after seeing the… Read more »

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Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: Part 2

My last blog addressed the challenge of maintaining enthusiasm for life at a time when our lives are being altered and restricted by a pandemic. Admittedly, during these months of uncertainty, it is difficult to be inspired to take an interest in ourselves.  The fear and challenges of today throw us into survival mode and… Read more »

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I see you. I hear you. It is so: The powerful tool of acknowledgment in achieving self actualization

Have you ever worked hard to complete a task, and your efforts seemed to go unnoticed? Have you ever been the one who was guilty of not being cognizant? As the receiver, it can feel incredibly frustrating and dehumanizing not to enjoy the privilege of receiving acknowledgment. According to Abraham Maslow (1943), our psychological health… Read more »

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Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: Part I

The beginning of this month marks a half year of being quarantined in my home. I really can’t complain; I am living with my husband and some family members in a comfortable house in a lovely setting. But it’s getting long and it’s hard to see an end to my situation in the near future…. Read more »

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Experts at Home: Dr. Kristin Neff on Self-Compassion

In this Experts at Home conversation, Dr. Lisa Firestone talks with researcher Dr. Kristin Neff about the importance of practicing Self-Compassion, especially during challenging times such as this global pandemic. Watch Now: Subscribe to PsychAlive (it’s free!) to see more Experts at Home.  

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Mental Health Making a Lasting Impact in the New Decade

With the first few weeks of the new decade already underway, lawmakers across the nation have been urging for change in an area that historically has been overlooked: mental health.  Efforts both big and small have already been put into action, fostering a hope that with the turning of the new year, a larger importance… Read more »

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The One New Year’s Resolution You Should Make this Year

New Year’s resolutions tend to get mixed reviews. Many people I ask about them roll their eyes, calling them “corny” or “unrealistic.” Others have a laundry list of items they want to “fix” about themselves come 2020. My feelings are somewhere in the middle. While I’m all for setting goals and seeking change that will… Read more »

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Managing Holiday Loneliness with Self-Compassion

Good cheer, happiness, family and a spirit of giving are a big part of the holiday season. But for many people, stress and loneliness are major players that upset plans to stay positive. If your tension level rises when the decor goes up, you are not alone. It is common for some people to feel… Read more »

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To Heal Trauma, Free Your Most Compassionate Self

The experience of trauma makes a profound mark on a person. It doesn’t matter whether the injury is grave and evident, like the bruising of a battered person, or hard to see, like the emotional neglect of someone detached and withdrawn. Whatever the cause, when a person feels threatened, helpless, and unable to escape, that… Read more »

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