When we find the causes of our problems, we don’t find “sick” inner parts; we find old assumptions, old beliefs, old expectations, old commitments, or old goals that we now see as limited. We feel excited about finally finding the inner sources of our problems, and we want to change
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger January 2, 2020
We are surrounded by material things designed to give us the good life, a life of pleasure. We have medications to relieve the suffering of our aches and pains. It is ironic that we still find ways to suffer, to hide from the possibility of happiness. Our possessions are supposed
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger December 27, 2019
Guest blogger Aimee Daramus wrote this post to promote awareness of suicide prevention resources. For anyone who feels at risk of hurting themselves or otherwise feels triggered by the holidays, please surround yourself with the safest people you know, on and off-line, but protect yourself from any voices that are mocking you,
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger December 27, 2019
In the farthest reaches of the desert there was a city in which all the people were blind. A king and his army were passing through that region, and camped outside the city. The king had with him a great elephant, which he used for heavy work and to frighten
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger December 17, 2019
We all have triggers, blind spots, or vulnerabilities that fuel conflict. The best thing we can do is be aware of them, take responsibility for them, and learn how to work with them effectively. We can’t avoid conflict, but we can learn how to handle it better. Rather than viewing
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger December 17, 2019
Stereotypically, women are thought of as emotional and men as logical, but biology reveals this is false. Curiously, the inverse in true. Researchers have discovered that men have a larger part of their brain devoted to emotional responses and a smaller region for logical thinking than women. This makes sense
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger December 12, 2019
An old Cherokee chief is teaching his grandson about life. “A fierce fight is going on inside me.” The chief said to the boy. “It is between two wolves. “One wolf is evil. He is guilt, anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt and
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger December 8, 2019
It is useful to identify the specific attitudes behind passive aggressive behavior: “I am right and not wrong.” “It’s never my fault.” “I want my way and I have a right to get it!” “It is your responsibility to give me what I want. When you fail, I have the
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger November 28, 2019
Ann came from a wealthy family in the suburbs. Behind the walls of her expensive home, her stock broker father was an abusive drunk. Her mother was a submissive victim. Her older brother was a sadist and her younger brother was a psychopath. As a child, Ann used her innate
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger November 28, 2019
Anger is a healthy emotion in everybody’s life — when it’s expressed in an appropriate manner at the right time. Anger can help to energize and motivate us to work to address problems with another person or to change our life situation. However, there are potential negative consequences of anger when
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger November 24, 2019