It took hearing it from an acquaintance’s mouth for me to really get it. “You like to control things,” she said. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t hear nor could I pretend that it didn’t bother me to hear it.

Her honesty forced me to make a decision. I could accept myself as controlling or attempt to resist or hide it. I chose the former. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I knew that the path of self-acceptance always leads to greater self-understanding, self-esteem and compassion. It’s fighting and denying who we are that’s painful. The funny thing is most people will eventually find out who we are anyway. I decided that I’d rather spend my time making positive changes in my life than wasting energy trying to be something I was not. If I know, for example, that controlling things is how I feel safe, I can work on reducing my anxiety by taking yoga classes, meditating regularly or telling others how I feel. By accepting myself, I could make a choice to how I wanted to live my life instead of allowing what I was hiding from control me.

It’s a lesson you may have learned too. Instead of playing victim or hiding behind the fact that you’re depressed, stressed or dealing with feeling disconnected, you could actually do something about it. If you’re ready to do the work to empower yourself and your children, you’re in luck. Our posts this week are all about that and more. Read on…

12-Steps to Creating Motivation When Depressed
(Relationships in Balance) – One of the hardest things to do when you’re depressed is to do something. The only way to change your current state, however, is to get up and get moving in the right direction. Here’s how to find the motivation to break or end the cycle of depression you’re in.

4 Ways to Build Strength and Resilience
(Parenting Tips) – In order to meet challenges with grace and courage, you need resilience. How do you build resilience in your kids? This post lists four surprising ways to help your children succeed in life by building their self-efficacy.

Talking to Your Children About Mental Illness
(Sorting Out Your Life) – How do you tell your children about mental illness? It’s a difficult topic right up there with the birds and bees. These must-read tips will help you get started.

Stress Less and Optimize Your Relationship with Technology
(Mindfulness & Psychotherapy) – Has your relationship with technology put a burden on your human relationships? Here’s one way you can pull the plug on stress and disconnection and plug back into your life.

Mindful Parenting: We Can Always Begin Again
(Mindful Parenting) – Haven’t meditated in awhile? A reminder from one parent to another on why it’s worth your time especially if you’re busy.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 31 Jan 2013
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.