The other day a co-worker and I were talking at lunch. Pretty soon, she started talking about another person---in a critical way.  I started to feel uncomfortable because I realized that she was venting some unexpressed feelings about this third party. Read more about Communication Skills 101: Direct Communication

I recently attended a meeting where one of the presenters was describing the problem of “burnout” among health care providers. A large percentage of health care workers are struggling with work-life balance, enthusiasm for their jobs, and feeling connected to their patients and colleagues. The same might be said about workers in other fields as well. Read more about Job Burnout: What is it and what to do about it?

Some years ago, I attended a special event. More than 125 men and women, all struggling with a serious psychiatric illness, gathered for a day of sharing and discussion. Organized by a group of mentally ill patients and ex-patients, all the panels and speeches were given by adults with psychiatric disabilities. I was the only mental health professional invited to share in this celebration. It was an honor that I have not forgotten. Read more about Mental Illness is a Lonely Battle

I recently attended a week long seminar on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) taught by Ed Hallowell M.D. Dr. Hallowell, a Harvard trained psychiatrist, has written 5 best-selling books on ADHD. In addition to being a world renown expert on the subject, he has ADHD himself. He understands this condition from the “inside out”. The seminar focus was on understanding the strengths and special abilities that individuals with ADHD bring to the table.  “We want to help kids and adults with ADHD unwrap their gifts” he says.  It’s a refreshing and affirming approach. I love it. Read more about ADHD: A strength based approach

The other day I received an email from a friend. I read the email and I had a strong, negative reaction to her message. I started crafting an email to send back, while I was still fuming. I felt better after writing my 3 page missive, but I realized that I didn’t really want to send it. A few days later, I sat down with her for a cup of coffee and we talked. By the end of the conversation I understood her a lot better, and I think she understood me too. I think we both felt differently. Read more about Communication Skills 101: Handling Conflict

Several weeks ago, my wife and I were having dinner overlooking the harbor in Wellfleet, Massachusetts on beautiful Cape Cod. It was a warm summer evening, cooled by a gentle breeze. The setting sun shimmered, reflected by the water. We were discussing our children’s recent visit when my eyes welled up with tears. As we talked, I realized that my mother, who died a year and half ago, wouldn’t be part of my future. I would never see her again. I was thrown upside down, knocked over by an intense wave of grief. Read more about Losing a loved one

It starts very early in life.

Even young children do it. We are “graded” by others and then we spend the rest of our lives rating ourselves. Are we good or bad? Did we pass or fail? Are we “A” daughters or “B” husbands?  Are we good enough, smart enough, pretty enough—it’s a long list of comparisons and contrasts. Read more about Self-Esteem 101: Don't Grade Yourself