CNN’s Life but Better reminds us of the value of kindness in our daily lives. Sandee LaMotte writes ()excerpt): Happiness researchers Sonja Lyubomirsky and Kennon Sheldon found that people who did a variety of acts of kindness throughout the week…
Acting as if you’re already there
On Being’s Krista Tippett’s interview with the late John Lewis included this exchange on “living as if” your possibility is already reality (excerpt): Lewis: But later I discovered, I guess, that you have to have this sense of faith that…
The DNA industry’s Pandora’s box: connecting to others
CNN Travel highlights two risks of DNA testing that connects you to other people in surprising ways. Tim Curran writes (excerpt): . . . Among them [the potential surprises], [Samuel] Burke lists finding out a parent was unfaithful or that…
Say what else is true: poetry, conflict, friendship
The Poetry Unbound newsletter from Pádraig Ó Tuama reminds us that there’s more than the “yeah, but” or the “and yet” or the “however” in poetry, in conflict, in relationships, in life. There’s the “also.” Pádraig Ó Tuama writes (excerpt):…
Both/And: the American patriot and the psychology of good people
CNN’s Life but Better helps us understand how to be the patriot our country needs. In her interview of Dolly Chugh, Angela Duckworth writes (excerpt): Chugh: Practice paradox spotting! You can do it everywhere. Our brains like consistency and resist…
Calming baby science: the scientific method for putting baby to bed
CNN Relationships show us how Japanese researchers discovered that 5 plus 8 makes sweet dreams. Sandee LaMotte writes (excerpt): Here’s how it works: Walk your baby for a minimum of five minutes with no sudden movements, at which time the…
Asking for & responding to: encountering some sacred mystery in the word Help
On Being’s The Pause Newsletter featured Pádraig Ó Tuama’s reflection on help Ó Tuama writes (excerpt): . . . Depending on your personality, it can feel like hell to ask for help. It starts off sounding like hell too, but…
Parenting principles for sports: adults letting kids be kids
CNN Health shows how parents can let kids enjoy sports as kids. Matt Villano interviews Linda Flanagan and writes about her top 4 principles (excerpt): The first is to look at your child and recognize that interest and passion in…
Love over mood: dictating your behavior when in a bad mood
The Union Democrat and Tribune News Service offers up psychotherapist Barton Goldsmith’s 5 tips for keeping your relationship in emotional balance. Goldsmith writes (excerpt): 1. If either one of you gets your feelings hurt, stop and talk about it ASAP.…
Imperfect parenting, with balance and love
The Grand Island Independent highlights psychotherapist Barton Goldsmith’s parenting tips. The advice covers appreciation, empathy, acceptance, self-confidence, affection and self-reliance. Goldsmith writes [excerpt]: You will make mistakes as a parent, so give yourself a break when you do. Similarly, allow…
It’s preventable: the leading cause of U.S. children and adolescent deaths
The New England Journal of Medicine reported our new #1 cause killing our kids: gun deaths, rising for nearly every racial and ethnic group. Jason E. Goldstick, Ph.D., Rebecca M. Cunningham, M.D., and Patrick M. Carter, M.D., all from the…
A lover, not a fighter: arming yourself with loving, honest and open communication
CNN Health counsels couples on effective arguments. “One of the most important things we’ve seen in our research is that people benefit most from being direct,” said [FSU psychology professor] Jim McNulty . . . . “Beating around the bush,…
Emotions & meltdowns–the lesson plan for teaching children
CNN Health offers us tips on helping children process emotions and feelings. with assistance from Indianapolis behavioral pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer and Professor Marc Brackett, also the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Megan Marples writes that parents…
Relationship Rescue: another joy of reuniting opportunity
Retrouvaille in Grand Rapids is scheduled for March 4-6, 2022. The program is designed to help married couples who are in the midst of difficult challenges. For more information, call 616-635-1046 or email retrograndrapids@gmail.com. Note: If you’re not near Grand…
Intuition & red flags: when your gut might be right about an affair
Kim Komando highlights cellphone and tech clues of infidelity in relationships. She writes (excerpt): Before we get to the digital cheating crumbs, my best advice is to have an honest conversation with your partner. Couples therapy is an excellent place…
Courageous hospitality: learning through deep listening
Pádraig Ó Tuama writes in On Being’s The Pause Newsletter about the difference between person-to-person mediation and group mediation. Ó Tuama writes (excerpt): What you’re trained to do, in group mediation, is to help people continue to practice the art…
Parent’s protecting hope: what science says
CNN Health lets us listen in on an interview with author and psychologist Lisa Damour. Damour reveals how science helps us understand the teenage brain and facilitates support to our loved ones. Jessica DuLong writes (excerpt): CNN: You say parents…
Criticizing, blaming and shaming backfire and reinforce beliefs: instead, to promote change, try empathy and curiosity
CNN Opinion reveals one method of persuasion that promotes change: the use of empathy and curiosity. So much more effective than criticizing, blaming and shaming. Those backfire and reinforce the existing beliefs. Peter Bregman and Howard Jacobson write (excerpt): In…
Play: letting go of everything else
CNN Relationships highlights the value of giving up “egos, worries and agendas” to play with our children, play with adults, just plain play. Elissa Strauss writes (excerpt): “Play for adults is absolutely necessary if you are going to have a…
Parental Duties: creating positive, post-separation family culture
CNN Relationships offers up 5 truths to embrace if you wish to diffuse divorce conflict and create a less stressful environment for your children. Psychologist John Duffy writes (excerpt): Your kids identify with you both. . . . Your kids…