Let’s talk a bit about narcissism

If you’re a fan of Succession like me, you too are enjoying this brilliant study of narcissism, from Logan’s malignant version to Connor’s mix of covert and communal version, to Roman’s vulnerable version. And of course, all the other characters, one more dysfunctional than the next. (If you’re not watching, get to it!) These days,…

Resistance is futile. (and really bad for you)

“What you resist persists”. ~ C. G. Jung A sample would be nice. You know, to teach us healthy habits and give some encouragement. But the universe isn’t always that good at marketing strategies. Which makes you wonder…but that’s another story. The idea is that if we could somehow get a taste of what it’s…

Law of attraction: conundrums and a hack

“Beware of what you set your heart upon…for it shall surely be yours.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Beware is the key word. Because you will likely get what you think you want, only you might be overwhelmed by unexpected consequences. The greatest thing will show up and you won’t have a clue how to keep…

Action creates motivation: small steps to radical change

Change is hard. Really hard. It’s easy to tell ourselves or each other to just take a leap of faith. Leaping could land us in a lava pit. Or worse, a pit we know nothing about. Because unlike in school where we get the lesson before the test, we’ve all learned by now that life…

This too shall pass

I’ve had one of those days, caused by, well, nothing pleasant. So of course I decided to write. To sum up the day: s*#t happens. Which got me thinking that as much as we might believe that we can prevent and control whatever it is, that’s not how life works. You will be tested. And…

Get a bird on your shoulder: a better way to manage anxiety

Yup, a bird. An imaginary one, but still. Lately, I summoned one on my left shoulder. Of course we can’t see him. But he’s there. I chose a miniature shoebill stork, not the usual gray, but white. His feathers are always a mess. I fondly call him Birdie. And no, I’m not writing this from…

On healing the wounded child

Surely you too have noticed that we react not only to what we’re actually witnessing in the moment or some situation/issue in general – but also, to whatever we are facing reminds us of. Every time we ask “what if”, we’re resurrecting experiences or scenarios we ourselves lived through, heard or learned about. A great…

About that advice: toxic influences and borrowed anxieties

This is a tough one, and for that reason, it’s been sitting unfinished in my drafts for a few years. Because how do you lovingly talk about those you appreciate or even love while also pointing to the all too frequent wrongness of seeking and receiving their influence via advice, opinion or assistance? And then…

A dangerous confusion: standards vs. expectations

Although they exist in parallel, the two are not interchangeable. Confusing them can lead to lack of appreciation, unreasonable judgments, and disastrous misunderstandings that ruin relationships, and dismantle happiness. A standard is a level of quality that represents the norm (collective and/or personal).An expectation is the belief that something will, and should happen (or be)…

When your beloved is Dr. Jekyll and also Mr. Hyde – understanding Borderline Personality Disorder and traits

“Real love is a rich, highly sustainable, consistent emotion, which a Borderline cannot tolerate.” ~ Shari Schreiber If you’re struggling with a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde partner, or recovering from a relationship with that type, you will find this very useful given the overwhelming confusion and heartbreak associated with such cases. The assumption in any relationship…