Another holiday’s come and gone. Whether you celebrated Canada Day or Independence Day, you may be basking in the glory of a glorious holiday or exhausted from another family gathering of trying to keep your sanity in toll.

If I’ve learned anything over the years is that you could spend years working on yourself and then poof! just like that you’re back to where you started.

Maybe it’s your people-pleasing ways that return when you’re in the company of old friends who knew you way back when. Or certain relatives who trigger painful childhood memories when you are in their presence. Perhaps, the extra day of freedom could remind you just how toxic your work environment is and how much you are in need of a new job.

Whatever it is, I feel you.

The only thing we can do is keep trying again. Maybe with a different approach in mind.

I’ve been reading Marc Lesser’s Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less. In it, he says,”if the metal doesn’t bend, don’t hammer harder-apply more heat.” The idea is that metal can’t be shaped when it’s solid. But if we learn to soften our thoughts, beliefs and emotions we can change the way we perceive our fears and ultimately shift our lives.

So maybe we can’t change our relative’s, friend’s and co-worker’s minds. But we can change the way we think about them and our situation.

It’s kind of what our first blog on authenticity is all about. Hope you like it and enjoy this shorter week!

Five Essential Steps  to Authenticity – Authentic You, Part 2

(Neuroscience & Relationships) – Every individual deserves to live an authentic life. And we were all born with the tools to get there. The big factor that prevents us from living that way, however, is fear. Read along as Athena Staik, Ph.D. provides essential tips to finding the courage to be your authentic self.

Rant-o-Rama: Mental Health Parity for 9/11 Survivors

(Depression On My Mind) – It’s a sad day when a 9/11 Compensation Fund created to help victims of 9/11 fail to compensate for “mental and emotional injuries.” Christine’s declaring this another example of stigma against mental illness and rightfully so!

Powerful Ways to Improve Your Body Image

(Weightless) – In part 3 of this interview with Amy Pershing, executive director at Pershing Turner Centers and clinical director for The Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, MI, we learn powerful and practical ways to learn how to respect your body and love yourself.

When You Can’t Stop Thinking About It

(Real World Research) – Don’t think about a white elephant. Hard wasn’t it? The same could be said about negative thoughts. This post describes 13 different types of repetitive thoughts. See if you can identify with any one or two or all of them.

Equine Therapy: Is it Good for the Horse?

(Equine Therapy) – Horses do a great deal for humans especially when it comes to equine therapy. The question you may be wondering however, is how helpful or harmful it can be for the horse. Here are some thoughts on the matter.

Comments

This post currently has no comments.
You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts.

Trackbacks

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 5 Jul 2011
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.