LifeCrafting recognizes that, from birth to death, we have the potential to constantly shape our lives. As we continue to build our skills and our unique wisdom, we not only form something of beauty and emotional power for ourselves, but of usefulness, as a gift to others. In crafting our lives, we never stop this… Continue Reading LifeCrafting Explained
What’s “LifeCrafting”?
For years, I’ve loved the NPR challenge posed by the series “This I Believe,” to distill my philosophy of life down to three minutes and find one core belief around which my heart organizes itself. Yet I found myself thwarted, by my belief in so many things, and paradoxically by my aversion to any kind… Continue Reading What’s “LifeCrafting”?
Communities free from shame
I’m not fine…how are you? Imagine being able to go into work, sit down with family members, or even respond to a stranger’s query with an honest response on one of your more unhappy days. And imagine what it would be like to receive, instead of a perplexed grimace—you know what I’m talking about, the… Continue Reading Communities free from shame
Community without shame
I’m not fine…how are you? Imagine being able to go into work, sit down with family members, or even respond to a stranger’s query with an honest response on one of your more unhappy days. And imagine what it would be like to receive, instead of a perplexed grimace—you know what I’m talking about, the… Continue Reading Community without shame
Shame’s Opposite: An Exploration of Pride’s Healing Power
A child of four runs around the house, flying a towel above his naked body like a sail, shouting “I’m MEEEE!” Arms flung wide, he knows no shame…and why should he? In his home, there is the safety and love of adoring parents. What should we call what he is experiencing? Arrogance does not come… Continue Reading Shame’s Opposite: An Exploration of Pride’s Healing Power
Simply Pride
An exploration of shame’s opposite, pride, and its healing effects for the body as well as the mind Continue Reading Simply Pride
Be Easy on Yourself – Releasing Shame through Imperfection
In the 50’s, the prevailing belief concerning crying infants was that, if you picked them up whenever they cried, you’d be spoiling them, teaching them to complain in order to get their needs met. The results? Adults all too often incapable of soothing themselves without chemical dependency or distraction. Adults resistant to asking for help,… Continue Reading Be Easy on Yourself – Releasing Shame through Imperfection
Shame Part 2: Psychological Perfectionism
Inappropriate… Don’t you love the word? It says everything and nothing. Of course, we therapists love to weigh in on our own versions of what’s appropriate – what’s acceptable to thought or behavior. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a dirty word, used far more in our profession to hurt, to shame, then to help.… Continue Reading Shame Part 2: Psychological Perfectionism
Identifying and Releasing Shame
Shame on you. Wow. Just notice how those three little words can ruin a good day. Feel them in your body, and observe how your physical self cringes. And yet, for every external message of shame we receive, how many more do we deliver to ourselves? In order to heal our shame, we must understand… Continue Reading Identifying and Releasing Shame
Shame on you.
Shame on you. Wow. Just notice how those three little words can ruin a good day. Feel them in your body, and observe how your physical self cringes. And yet, for every external message of shame we receive, how many more do we deliver to ourselves? In order to heal our shame, we must understand… Continue Reading Shame on you.