Tattoo You
Tattoo You The above picture is one of my tattoos. Like most people, my tattoo holds personal meaning. “Eigenwelt” is a German word for an existentialist mode of personality development that focuses on the Self. Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eignewelt are thought to be the three needed levels comprising healthy personality development – one’s “being-in-the-world”. Mitwelt […]
To Forgive or Not to Forgive?
To Forgive or Not to Forgive? Forgiveness is often touted as a necessary requirement to healing. It is included in most religions, is frequently a key component in trauma and recovery programs and is advised by mental health practitioners with almost the same frequency as it is by spiritual leaders. Forgiveness can be a kick-ass […]
Affairs in the Digital Age: Death by a Thousand Cuts*
Affairs in the Digital Age: Death by a Thousand Cuts* Let’s face it: affairs have always been hurtful to the one who has been cheated on. Interestingly, relationship expert Esther Perel suggests that they are even more so now. Why? Because where once the cheated upon partner might have only had “lipstick on the collar”, […]
The Vagus Nerve
The Vagus Nerve (and its importance to you overall wellbeing!) Many people are not familiar with the vagus nerve, and yet it is paramount to our overall health. Deriving an understanding of the vagus nerve offers a concreteness to why many health practitioners promote the concept of “holistic” wellbeing (in other words: everything is interconnected […]
Broken OPEN
Broken OPEN There is something profoundly beautiful within us all that I refer to as the Essence of the Soul. We connect with our Soul when we can listen and respond to our intuition. We ALL have intuition, or “internal knowingness”, as I like to refer to it as. Oftentimes we are not connected […]
True Patriot Love
True Patriot Love I spent the last week cottaging. That is not a statement I ever thought I would make. It’s funny how in Ontario our vacation property is a cottage, on the Canadian prairies we stay in a cabin, and in the mountains of BC we vacation in a chalet….but I digress. How was […]
Gaslighting
Gaslighting The term gaslighting* refers to an emotional abuse tactic that causes a victim to question their own feelings, instincts, and sanity, putting the abuser in a position of power. A clear indicator of a gaslighter is one who overrides your truth and tries to convince you that your perception of reality is false. A […]
Soul Child
Soul Child I believe we are happiest when we are in touch with our Soul Child. Think of how a child sees the magic in every little thing. While it is true that many things simply cannot hold that sense of wonder we once felt as a small child, there are opportunities available to us […]
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the feeling of discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs. It is experiencing an inner conflict denoted by an inconsistency between beliefs and behaviours – it is what can make us feel like a fraud. Cognitive dissonance is a theory proposed by psychologist […]
When Healthy Eating Turns Unhealthy
When Healthy Eating Turns Unhealthy “Clean eating” is a term frequently used these days. However, it is one that I personally try to avoid as it can create a problematic view of food that can incite debilitating shame (i.e: clean versus dirty; good versus bad – polarized beliefs are something mental health professionals try to […]
