The one thing that’s always underneath anger
It’s said that anger is a secondary emotion. It’s often the first afflictive emotion we see; it’s like the tip of an iceberg. And like icebergs, there’s vastness and complexity under the surface of anger. * Many different feelings can underlie this sneaky, challenging gift of an emotion. To me, the most critical thing to […]
How to work with your emotions
When faced with rousing emotions, it’s common to become reactive. Author and researcher Karla McLaren says our typical pattern is: SITUATION —> EMOTION —> ACTION. This lends itself to issues and, not infrequently, regrets. Kneejerk reactions often require apologies and repairs in their aftermath; they always have consequences. Reactivity isn’t efficient or effective, and it […]
What we need to do to thrive
The most important thing we can do has nothing to do with actions or achievement. It has to do with how we show up. What’s standing out to me lately is that to be successful — in a job, in parenting, in whatever it is we take on — mastering skills and “getting it right” […]
5 ways to feel more inspired
Inspiration is the fuel for creativity. Whether you’re writing a book, decorating your living room, planning a class, or even building a spreadsheet, it’s the essential force behind bringing new things of beauty to life. This is an important topic to me. Instead of constructing long lists of goals to accomplish, I try to orient […]