On Being features Omid Safi’s advice for helping someone you love, someone who is struggling. Omid Safi writes (excerpt): But don’t ask them to give you their hand. Instead, offer them your hand. Don’t ask for their heart, offer them…
Rule One: Understanding your kid is a copycat!
CNN references a Rule 1 for one aspect of parenting: modeling good behavior. Ask yourself: Is there some aspect where this Rule 1 would not apply? Kelly Wallace writes (excerpt): Rule No. 1 seems simple enough but is too often…
Embarking on this great adventure
CNN recently posted the Presidential hand-off letter–from Obama to Trump–on Inauguration Day 2017. Might the four points apply to all of us? 1. Use your blessings to help others. 2. Be a leader, by action and example. 3. Be a…
Restoring trust after a crisis: how to prevent making things worse
CNN Money highlights four keys to recovering from a crisis and restoring reputation. While written in the context of what companies should do in a public relations crisis, the tips provide a focus for relationship problems we encounter. Rupert Younger…
How to handle difficult people? Simple strategies starting with listening and understanding
The ABA’s Law Practice Today offers advice on dealing with difficult people. Matt Potempa explains his top six tips (excerpt): 1. Listen. . . . Try to understand the source of their frustration while avoiding the temptation to interrupt and…
From pain to future: grieving into a new life
On Being shares an extraordinary letter offered up to a stranger, the “unknown friend.” Kao Kalia Yang writes (excerpt): From somewhere in the high heavens, the places I could not see, far beyond my gaze, there was a future floating…
How to avoid raising spoiled kids: Just say no
The New York Times reminds us of something the Rolling Stones told us years ago: “You can’t always get what you want/But if you try sometimes well you might find/You get what you need.” In today’s research, showing our children…
Keeping your inner peace
The recent article on finding the calm in your chaos reminded me of this quote attributed to Saint Francis de Sales: “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace…
Counseling for serious relationship issues: communication and commitment
Dear Abby responds to a reader’s letter inquiring about the marriage counseling (excerpt): With a troubled marriage, a counselor can often facilitate broader communication than couples can achieve on their own. However, like most relationships, marriages can be “saved” only…
The inner life of teen boys: loyalty, friendship, protecting those they love
The Washington Post offers us ways to stay connected with teenage sons. The ideas flow from Kenneth Ginsburg, author of “Raising Kids to Thrive.” Phyllis Fagell explores these six ideas (excerpt): Focus on loving, high-yield interactions Tackle stereotypes about masculinity…
Can’t get no satisfaction?: Become a millennial father
CNN Parents declares “The path to happiness for millennial men.” According to a report by the Boston College Center for Work & Family, it’s having children and becoming an active, egalitarian father. Compared to single men without kids, millennial fathers…
Why do I feel alone?: The upside of things going wrong
Jennifer Ryan animated an On Being discussion of fear, vulnerability and connection. The 2015 conversation between Brené Brown and Krista Tippett explored The Courage to Be Vulnerable, and Ryan recently added her artistic inspiration to the voices. Ryan writes (excerpt):…
Relationship advice: 11 words, 4 sentences for living and loving
On Being with Krista Tippett recently reminded us of her 2013 interview with Dr. Ira Byock. The expert in palliative care and hospice shares the core statements for any relationship and for what to say when you don’t know what…
Leah Juliett marches on: It can’t be “revenge” when you did nothing wrong
The amazing Leah Juliett slams “revenge porn” with her survivor poem, The Artist. She’s the New York performer-poet leading efforts to combat predatory discrimination and to promote cyber civil rights. CNN recently highlighted Juliett’s efforts to organize the March Against…
Parenting in 10 words or less: thought-provoking compassion
Love & Logic posts as a handy refresher its one liners for getting children to think and to stop arguments. Jim Fay’s reference list includes these 5 favorites (excerpt): “Probably so.” “I bet it feels that way.” “What do you…
Extracting lies, with a little help from your mother
Craig Gray, a truly brilliant Renaissance man (and Grand Rapids’ own Krav Maga master), posted an effective tip from his PeaceWalker Program. “The Lie Detector” was inspired by the look given by a mother, and you too can use it…
Love stories: bold, sweet, hopeful, lifelong . . .
CNN Living offers up “A sweet assortment of love stories” to get us in the mood for Valentine’s Day! They asked people to leave voicemails telling their love stories and then created a multimedia page for us to share in…
Harsh parenting: bad grades, riskier behavior
CNN Parents highlights the dangers of harsh parenting: over-reliance on peers, more sexual activity, more delinquency. The study published in the journal Child Development was led by Rochelle Hentges, a postdoctoral psychology fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. It focused…
Staying happy: 5 tips for no matter what happens
CNN’s Health section highlights five coping strategies from the Dalai Lama, including being gentle with yourself, making time to reflect, keeping compassion at hand, helping, and being playful. Jen Christensen writes (excerpt): First step, work on compassion and start by…
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter? The way to improving your life and your relationships
Psychology Today shows a method for improving relationships and marriages with its “The Tao of Improv: 5 Rules for Improvising Your Life.” Giving up control in favor of adopting with a more generous, supportive and organic mindset leads to a…