Create two columns on a piece of paper: one column for you and one for the other person. By Christie Leigh BabiradAuthor Introduction “All we can really do is love people. We can’t change them or make them do things they’re not ready to do. But we can love them… sometimes it’s from afar, but[…]
Authenticity is the true self – the honest, clear-perspective self. By Lee McCormickCo-author, Spirit Recovery Medicine Bag I’ve been around a while, 58 years in fact. As many of us have come to realize, there’s more to living life than what the official story might have us believe. This great maze and matrix of human[…]
Religion affects how people regard qualities like benevolence, kindness, conformity and fairness even after they stop practicing religion. By Dr. Philip SchwadelProfessor of SociologyUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln By Dr. Sam HardyProfessor of PsychologyBrigham Young University Introduction Religion forms a moral foundation for billions of people throughout the world. In a 2019 survey, 44% of Americans – along with[…]
Learning outcomes are tied explicitly to subject matter, but they can also be used to integrate critical thinking goals. By Dr. Elizabeth SticeAssociate Professor of HistoryPalm Beach Atlantic University Advocates for the liberal arts often emphasize their role in fostering critical thinking. But how often do we think critically about how we hope to achieve[…]
In both ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, reflected images were thought to hold mysterious powers. By Dr. Barry MarkovskyDistinguished Professor Emeritus of SociologyUniversity of South Carolina Introduction Every human culture has superstitions. In some Asian societies people believe that sweeping a floor after sunset brings bad luck, and that it’s a curse to leave chopsticks[…]
The bottom line is: All that you’re including within your non-acceptance is accepted by acceptance! By Dr. Michael LarcombeCounselor Introduction My coffee-loving friend Gerald told me, over a coffee, that there’s a guy working in the coffee shop who doesn’t listen. This frustrates the hell out of him, as he often has to repeat his[…]
A guided visualization to help you stop hating yourself and practice unconditional self love. What Is Self-Acceptance? Self-acceptance can be defined as: the awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, the realistic (yet subjective) appraisal of one’s talents, capabilities, and general worth, and, feelings of satisfaction with one’s self despite deficiencies and regardless of past behaviors[…]
Finding happiness after the death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult challenges that one can face in life. In terms of events that can negatively impact one’s life, there are few that can surpass the pain of losing a loved one. If you’re finding it difficult to get over your[…]
Mourning is a personal and collective response which varies depending upon feelings and contexts such as culture and religion. Curated/Reviewed by Matthew A. McIntoshPublic HistorianBrewminate Introduction Mourning is the expression [1] of an experience that is the consequence of an event in life involving loss,[2] causing grief,[1] occurring as a result of someone’s death, specifically someone who was loved [2] although loss from death[…]
“A grieving person is going to laugh again and smile again…that doesn’t mean they’ve moved on.” Presentation by TED In a talk that’s by turns heartbreaking and hilarious, writer and podcaster Nora McInerny shares her hard-earned wisdom about life and death. Her candid approach to something that will, let’s face it, affect us all, is[…]
Exploring the transformative experience of losing a family member in a grief-avoidant society. WPSU – Speaking GriefThe Pennsylvania State University Speaking Grief explores the transformative experience of losing a family member in a grief-avoidant society. It validates grief as a normal, healthy part of the human experience rather than a problem that needs to be[…]
Don’t forget, the most important ingredient of all, no matter what you’re cooking, love. By Julia AbelsohnJournalist Introduction Thick black clouds of smoke mixed with the smell of sweet red peppers roasting in their skins fill our nostrils and drift over the fence towards my neighbour Mike’s yard. I am in my garden with my[…]
Color psychology is easy, intuitive, and fun. By Gabrielle GardinerWriter and Yogi Introduction When was the last time you re-evaluated how your home contributes to your mindfulness and calmness? Our emotional responses to colour aren’t just imagined. Using a calming colour palette is one of the most effective ways to develop a tranquil home base[…]
It’s often the small and simple gestures of giving that are very powerful. By Danielle SaundersWriter and Personal Trainer Introduction It’s essential to consider how we can inject kindness into our lives every day. Kindness isn’t something that disappears every other day of the year, but it’s on this day that we remind ourselves of[…]
Taking a look at the science of the good life. Presentation by Dr. Robert WaldingerClinical Professor of PsychiatryLee Kum Sheung Center for Health and HappinessT.H. Chan School of Public HealthHarvard Medical School What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone – but,[…]
Here are some studies that show how coffee can improve your life! Coffee – would you be able to live without it? Well, I have to confess that I am thoroughly addicted. Seriously, I think I would marry coffee, if coffee were a person. It is that good. It is life changing. What Happens When[…]
Loose threads: Life unravels when a loved one dies. By Bethany GreyAuthor Introduction According to Greek mythology, before we were born, high above the clouds, the three Moirai spun thread on a spindle to determine our fate. As the goddesses of life and death, ancient Greeks entrusted them with ensuring that a mortal’s destiny would[…]
Even when a person stops and takes a moment to enjoy a plant’s beauty, they feel better. By Siobhan SearleAuthor and Environmentalist Introduction Society’s downward spiral continues, and with it go my spirits. As the chaos of the global pandemic persists, it has become harder to step away from the fear and uncertainty and take[…]
Traumatic events can make people question assumptions about their lives, including their spiritual beliefs. By Rev. Dr. Danielle Tumminio HansenAssistant Professor of Pastoral Theology & Director of Field EducationSeminary of the Southwest Introduction Organized religion has been on the decline for decades in the United States. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that online searches for[…]
It is, at the very least, “the experience of experiencing.” We know consciousness by being conscious. By William WatersAuthorThe Mindful Word Introduction For anyone, having a personal appreciation of their own experience of consciousness seems important, and perhaps it can be a very simple thing. I will take my best shot at it here. There[…]
Exploring how neurologists and neuroscientists study and view the conscious mind. A Presentation by Closer to TruthYouTube Is consciousness a scientific problem to be solved? Or a philosophical problem that will remain a mystery? What do scientists who study the brain think? And why do they think the way they do? These leading brain scientists[…]
When you’re a compassionate person looking for a rewarding career move, you’ve probably thought about those roles that allow you to support other people and your community. It follows that you may have considered counseling as one of your options. This career will see you helping individuals on a personal and professional level and can[…]
Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis can help you do well in school or at work. It might even make you better-looking. By Dr. Dana McMakinAssociate Professor of PsychologyFlorida International University Just like eating, drinking or breathing, sleep is an essential part of life. In fact, all animals do it – with some interesting variations.[…]
By Kate Skurat What Is a Sense of Self? Great Tips Building a Stronger Sense of Self What is a sense of self? It is how a person perceives themselves, has the concept of who they are. It involves what one thinks about their personality traits, beliefs, abilities, roles, relationships, values, and associations in the[…]
The way we relate to our families determines how we see others. The importance of family cannot be understated as it is the fabric that holds us together at our best and worst. Children are particularly sensitive when it comes to building relationships as they are affected the most by actions and words. How you[…]
Whether in the form of a discreet titter or a full-on roar, laughter comes with many benefits for physical and mental health. Introduction Amusement and pleasant surprises – and the laughter they can trigger – add texture to the fabric of daily life. Those giggles and guffaws can seem like just silly throwaways. But laughter,[…]
Have you known anyone to enjoy studying? More often than not, studying (or work) can never be described as fun. So what can you do when you’re looking for an enjoyable way to get smarter? It’s easy; you play games. Turns out, you can significantly boost your brainpower if you play the right games. So,[…]
This is a proven fact. The scientific research which was carried out by the University of Toronto proved that children whose parents divorced are more vulnerable to become victims of unhealthy habits and smoking in particular. The study shows that they are 48% likely to start smoking because of trauma and the desire to suppress[…]
This question, so often asked by us in times of crisis and despair, or love and joy, expresses and indeed defines our sense of humanity. The question How should we live? is one that many ask in a crisis, jolted out of normal patterns of life. But that question is not always a simple request[…]
An awareness of our mortality, of our precious finitude, can move us to seek the meaning that we so desperately crave. ‘Despite all our medical advances,’ my friend Jason used to quip, ‘the mortality rate has remained constant – one per person.’ Jason and I studied medicine together back in the 1980s. Along with everyone[…]