psychology
Trust Your Intuition To Avoid Gaslighting
Gaslighting can be a very destructive component of a toxic relationship. It basically refers to any form of ‘reality twisting’ or ‘crazy making’ that aims to confuse or manipulate the victim. Gaslighting is used to gain power and control in the relationship, by making the victim question their reality.
The phenomenon is typically found in romantic relationships, but it can occur in all kinds of social relationships, including friendships, in the workplace and with neighbors. Sometimes it is done in an obvious way, right under the victim’s nose, but mostly it is done under the radar and you don’t always know who is gaslighting you, or even that you are being gaslighted. Continue reading
Release Gets You Everything You Want
Almost 20 years ago today, I was traveling to Sedona, Arizona, to attend a teacher training program for The Sedona Method program. Little did I know at the time that I was about to discover one of the most important keys to a happy, fulfilling life.
Soon, I found myself in a Sedona conference room filled with psychiatrists, psychologists, and doctors from around the world. I was a young mother and novice Tarot reader at the time. I didn’t feel I was at the professional level of the doctors and behavioral health specialists attending. I felt intimidated, uncomfortable, and actually wanted nothing more than to just go home.
During the first week of training, the director of the class asked me to come up to the front of the room and stand facing everyone. Oh no, I thought to myself, why in the world did I even come to this event! He asked that I demonstrate the technique he had just taught us, with a psychiatrist seated in the front row. My knees were shaking and my heart racing. But, there was no escape, so I decided to simply go for it. Although it was a daunting experience at the time, it was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. Continue reading
Signs You Might Be Overstressed
Almost all of us are under stress of some kind, whether it’s from work, family life, financial situations, or countless other sources. But how do when we know when it all gets to be too much?
Sadly, we tend to overlook the very real, physical signs our bodies give us, to let us know that the stress is all too much. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it might be time to take a look at how to reduce stress levels and get your total health on track.
Pain in our bodies is probably the most obvious sign something is wrong, yet it tends to get ignored until it’s almost too late. Aches and pains, stomach issues, muscle tension, and heart palpitations are among the most common. Also, when we’re under stress, our sleep may suffer. Sleep is crucial to a person’s well-being, and if we’re not getting enough sleep (or too much) the entire body suffers as a result. Continue reading
The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide
Imagine for a moment that you have a radio, and instead of tuning in to a single stations, all of the stations are playing at once. That’s what life sometimes feels like to a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) – a designation coined by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron, which indicates someone whose senses are more attuned than normal to the stimuli around them. The word “empath” is sometimes used to describe highly sensitive people, and other groups, such as those on the autism spectrum.
Aside from sealing themselves in soundproof rooms, or wrapping up in padded clothing, what can they do in a world which sometimes delivers sensory overload? It’s best for the HSP to avoid certain things and situations. Continue reading
What Your Face Is Telling You
There is an ancient belief system that everything can be seen in one’s face. Your emotional state, your physical state, warnings, strengths and weaknesses. Lines on the forehead are said to represent issues with the intestines. Lines between the eyebrows, just above the eyes, represent issues with the liver, while lines under the eyes represent issues with the kidneys. Lines or swelling of the nose represent issues with the heart, and lines above the lip, below the nose, represent issues with the sexual organs.
Lines or wrinkles are inevitable. However, we have all seen someone in their 20s who has lines as deep and prolific as an 80 year old, and sometimes you see an 80 year old who has the skin of a 25 year old. What is their secret? Continue reading
Why Is God Not Hearing Your Prayers?
Yesterday, my best friend called me. She has been my friend since second grade. Her family moved to our island from the main land during the summer before our second grade year. Like me, she was witty, funny, and full of energy, and we became really good friends. She became the sister I never had.
Unfortunately, although she had always been full of life and fun, she has also always been very stubborn when it came to certain ideas and her belief system. Her family, like mine, was very religious and I was so sure she would end up a nun some day, but she did not. Her heart found love and desires like the majority of us. She married much younger than me, in her late 20’s, and she is still with the same husband today who also is the father of her three beautiful, grown children. Continue reading
You Can Love Others Without Harming Yourself
Some people are constantly looking for answers in others. They want so desperately to find that place where they will be forever happy, and centered, and complete. They look to others to find answers, insight and direction.
They sometimes find something that makes them feel content. But that only lasts for a moment. Then they are once again looking for something else to make them happy and feeling on the up and up. Their lives are a constant roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. They have sudden bursts of energy and happiness, then they are down again for the count, with that feeling of depression and helplessness that there is just no way out. Continue reading