Blog
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A Link Between Trauma and Autoimmune Disorders
A recent New York Times article explores a study on a link between Lupus and stress. One of the authors of the study, Andrea Roberts, is a research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Roberts explains, “There is a lot of research showing that mental health, stress and trauma affect physical…
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Don’t Let Fear Win – How to Stand Strong
It can be tempting to turn away when faced with seemingly overwhelming challenges. But there is great power and transformation when you find the courage to stand strong in the face of fear and anxiety. I am not referring to the kind of immediate fear generated by a crisis, but instead of the kind of…
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How to Silence Your Inner Critic
We all know that there is a great deal of discord between individuals with different lifestyles and beliefs. It is easy to become stuck in our perspectives about the world and how we and others should live our lives. In doing so, we lose our connections with a greater truth, and how we can be…
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Breathing Practices for Calm
No matter how stable or grounded you are, there will no doubt be times in your life when you feel stressed, anxious, or upset. At times like this, your breathing becomes shallow (or you may even unconsciously hold your breath), and there is an increased release of stress hormones in the body. Your chest may…
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Life with an Addict – Letting Go
Setting healthy boundaries can be a challenge in any family, but in the case of addiction, it can be very difficult. You want the best for your children and your spouse, but it helps nobody to attempt to rescue or control their behavior related to substance abuse or other addictive behaviors. When you are in…
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Finding Safety in Everyday Life
For some people, the need for personal safety can get in the way of living life to the fullest. Those who have been physically, emotionally or mentally wounded may find that those scars, those fears, take on more power than they would like. The sexually abused may fear intimacy. An assault victim may fear sudden…
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Building Bridges Across Differences
Throughout history, humans have argued about all kinds of perceived differences – generational, spiritual, political, financial, educational, racial, class. Is there a way to build a bridge between individuals regardless of their differences? Absolutely, one person at a time. The first step is to release judgment and expectation about who or what you believe about…
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What Can You Hear in the Silence?
In our busy and noisy electronic age, it is rare to find true silence. In this context, I am not referring to silence as the absence of sound, but as the absence of input, chatter, the hums and beeps of technology, and repetitious and useless thoughts. We may rebel against silence, where we are confronted…
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A Best Practice for a Peaceful Life
“Mindfulness,” a technique in which you are focused on and deeply aware of your experience in the present moment, has been studied for decades as a path to well-being. This practice is a valuable tool for living a peaceful life. When you learn to be aware of the present moment, your relationship with your thoughts…
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Comparison vs. Self-Acceptance
It is obvious that each of us is a unique being – physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Even identical twins are truly only about 85% identical. So why do we so often compare ourselves with others? “I am…(fatter, shorter, lazier, not as pretty, much more talented, not as skilled…)” Comparison leads to resentment and competitiveness, rather…
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A Holistic View of Depression
As the Founder of Soul Wisdom Therapy, I hold this mission foremost in my work: to help you live a more integrated, whole and authentic life—and feel more joyful, happy and peaceful. This focus means that I work with you as a whole person: mind, body and soul, to help you live a more fulfilling…
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What is Conscious Parenting?
Conscious parenting teaches “the art of living” by tending to more than a child’s basic needs (food, clothing, shelter). Conscious parents also offer unconditional love, acceptance, and attention. As a conscious parent, you allow your child to have different thought processes and feelings from yourself. You understand that your children may have different perspectives of…