We can empathize with others without being moved to act. Not all problems require a solution. In fact, not all problems have a solution. Some problems are simply problems. Even if a solution is available, however, our intervention is not always necessary, advisable, or even desirable. There are times when merely feeling for someone is … Continue reading Empathetic Boundaries
Life is difficult enough on its own without our taking on other people’s emotional challenges as our own. We need boundaries. This is not easy, however, if we are naturally empathetic. That is, if our own emotional natures tend to be porous, we will find ourselves easily influenced by feelings, both positive and negative, of … Continue reading Respecting Our Emotional Limitations
Reality is typically not as dramatic as our imaginations make it seem. Things are rarely as bad as we fear or as good as we hope they will be. Instead of seeing and accepting life as it is, we have the capacity to make it either better or worse in our minds. This is not … Continue reading Affecting What Is
Explanations do not heal hurt feelings. We all make mistakes. We will all hurt someone else, at some point in our lives, in some way. It may be unintentional. We may be entirely unaware that we even did so. Sometimes, even with the best possible intentions, our words or actions cause harm, hurt feelings, or … Continue reading Healing Through Change
Just like everything around us, our emotions are in a constant state of change. In this way, they are not much different than the seasons, nor should we expect them to be. Happiness and sorrow, excitement and frustration, love and pain, will all come and go throughout the days, months, and years of our lives. … Continue reading The Seasons Of Emotion
