The burden of guilt can be heavy at times. Guilt can be a driving factor in our lives and control our every action. Guilt does have a purpose. Guilt can be a motivator, a reminder of a lesson learned. Guilt is something only we can create and keep and carry. To the extent we are

There is a fine line between shame and guilt. But it is distinct and they are different. Shame is what others (society) place on us which may result in feelings of guilt. Guilt serves us. It is an internal feeling or emotion that we can grow from and learn from. However, guilt is only purposeful

Our level of dissatisfaction is proportional to the level at which we will take action. Our self-blame and introspection is the best method to motivate us to change. We can harness the power of these feelings in order to turn them into laser-like focus on that which we know that we want. Introspection is hard

Santa Claus. The Easter Bunny. The Tooth Fairy. We should look to children every day as a guide to our personal growth. They do not know anything but to be optimistic. The have hope in abundance and are excited about their own expectations of themselves. We need to begin to believe in a world that

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a thought intervention therapy claiming our behaviors are a direct response to our feelings or perceptions about thought. CBT seeks to change not only our thought patterns but also our interpretation of our thoughts, thus changing our feelings as a result. This process is the foundation for a great deal of

Self-worth and Confidence are very powerful tools of the subconscious mind. Just as powerful, however, are the limiting beliefs that we tell ourselves like a skipping record (or mp3!) or a tape loop. Some of these beliefs may be rooted in our brains since childhood and have such a strong position in our sense of

I cannot tell you how many people I have met who have described their path of recovery (mental health or substance use) as “mystic”. Things seem to happen, opportunities fall on your lap, coincidences that are too big to be accidents. Are we just more aware as our minds become clearer and healthier? Are we

Mental Illness and the Decline of Civilization   I walked down the cold halls of the courthouse and stopped in front of a prosecutor’s office.  Taped on her door, somewhat crooked,  was an 8x11 piece of paper with the following quote: “The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show

The mindset of those struggling with addiction is often that they are in control. They choose when, what and how they will use. After careful consideration, however, it becomes quite apparent that the choice is being made for them, subconsciously. Substances play tricks in our brains on a very deep, primordial level. “Don’t make plans

I know a person who is forced to do things every day. She must answer to the same call and perform the same menial tasks in order to keep her mental anguish at bay. She is forced to harm herself. She is made to feel ill and depressed and ashamed. She is physically assaulted but