Creative Maladjustment
In 1967, MLK, Jr. gave the keynote address at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association.
Kindness Matters
This past Monday was World Kindness Day. I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn if I say that the world could really use some more real kindness right now…
Dog vs. Snake
I am reminded today of something I often discuss with clients. When an animal experiences threat, they react (fight, flight, freeze), hopefully survive, and then go back to laying in the sun or whatever they were doing before. They give themself a shake, which literally resets their nervous system back to a normal, non-activated state. When it’s over, it is OVER for them. When humans are fortunate enough to survive a threat, the emotional brain doesn’t necessarily let go and move on so quickly. Getting the nervous system to de-activate is not an automatic part of our process.
Addiction and the Craving for Wholeness
When children grow up with experiences of trauma or deprivation, it is not uncommon for them to feel an inner emptiness. Confronted with what may be overwhelming negative emotions (sadness, hurt, fear, unworthiness,) and never having had the opportunity to learn healthy “self-soothing,” these individuals adapt by finding or developing more unhealthy coping strategies, including various forms of addiction.
The Tortoise
The tortoise is a favorite in African folklore and appears in many East African tales as “Mzee Kobe” (mzee – “old one”; kobe – “tortoise”). African tortoises live to be over 100 years old and represent longevity and endurance. Mzee Kobe is depicted as old and wise, loyal and unwavering in the face of obstacles or challenges.