As I cleared out the dead leaves and debris from my flowerbeds and gardens in preparation for planting some pansies, I got to thinking about our emotional junk. We all have emotional junk—stuff we need to clear out so that we can grow. But some of us have many old hurts (stuff) that we have not…
As a child I never learned how to express my anger in healthy ways. In fact, I believed anger was a bad thing, probably because that’s what I learned from my parents. If someone even hinted that I might be angry I would say, “I’m not angry. I’m just upset.” Many years later I finally…
One concern that seriously dating couples and newlyweds often express is about how to forgive. I’ve honestly tried to let go and forgive,” they say, “but as soon as I see the person again or the same issue arises, I get upset all over again and the bad emotions return. Does this mean I haven’t…
“I refuse to sit around feeling sorry for myself. I need to be strong, and get on with my life,” Sam said after losing a considerable amount of money. After Allison’s best friend was killed, she said, “I wanted to be left alone–to sort things out. But my husband kept calling me at work and stayed…
What’s most important to you? Is it important to that special someone?” Several years ago, I invited the man I was seriously dating to have dinner with two of my friends who were visiting from out of town. It was important to me that they met him before I became even more emotionally attached. One of…
