The jury is in: He's an idiot. No more questions. If the label, instead, is "I'm a loser," then you hold that label, "loser," in front of you every day. You may exhibit numerous "winner"-type behaviors, but your label will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I guarantee that if you …

What happened to me reinforced another important lesson that I had forgotten (I don't always learn on the first try): Always check with healthcare professionals before starting any new diet, cleansing, or exercise program. Wow, what a sobering experience that was for me. My cardiologist also suggested that I look …

May their words be pleasing to others. May they be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, yet it is readily depleted in the face of chronic stress. If you're low on magnesium anyway, stressful times can cause …

If we were to simply acknowledge the truth of our human strength and beauty, to connect with ourselves, each other and life in deeper, richer and more meaningful ways, we would save unthinkable amounts of time, energy, money and angst. More money can buy more things but more things don't …

Distraction is about more than your devices. Separate proximate causes from the root cause. All motivation is a desire to escape discomfort. If a behavior was previously effective at providing relief, we're likely to continue using it as a tool to escape discomfort. Anything that stops discomfort is potentially addictive …

Back then there was no SBIRT, screening for problem drinking and drug use, especially in adolescents, so that early intervention might be possible. Back then there was no MAT, medication-assisted treatment; he would have been a candidate for long-acting naltrexone (Vivitrol) had it existed. He had the support of his …

In your life right now, there may be lots of people who believe in and encourage you. Your "supporting cast" may number in the hundreds, yet I'd be willing to bet that if you have even one or two critics--one or two naysayers--those "noisy" few can command your full attention …

(2013)], in which inquiry, using the Kolb model, consists of three layers following the experience itself: reflection, context, and invitation.) Listen to the people around you and to people talking on the TV and radio. Be aware of how and when other people use should',shouldn't', can't',must' and mustn't' …

Find what you enjoy doing and do more of it. Perhaps you have a natural ability to do something well. Maybe there's something that you have always wanted to learn. Find an interest or activity that will not challenge you too much to begin with so that you can feel …

Again, it takes time. Maybe you can pick one problem to start with. Once you are on top of it, it will make a difference in your life. Please forgive me; I know that I talk about my personal victory over the lost keys a lot, but I'm so impressed …

New information that's consistent with our existing beliefs is quickly accepted at face value. On the other hand, information that contradicts our beliefs is often ignored or critically scrutinized and discounted.4 For example, a team of psychologists had people read summaries of two studies relating to the effectiveness of …

But you don't have to go the whole way to reap benefits. The benefits start right away, and they pile up over the years. It is a cumulative function: the more you sit, the more you learn about the real nature of your own existence. The more hours you spend …

It means that you regulate your daily routine and make efforts to improve current relationships. Effective management also includes attending to self-care, following a healthy lifestyle and diet, getting physical exercise, and following the treatment plan you developed with your provider. Self-management is best done in collaboration with your health …

You may rise above the mud far enough to breathe a bit more easily if you practice vipassana meditation with diligence. Vipassana meditation is the road to nibbana. And from the reports of those who have toiled their way to that lofty goal, it is well worth every effort involved …

It's to survive. It's to maintain and continually improve your standard of living and your place in the world. You don't want to see your competitors lose and go out of business and you don't want to take food out of their mouths, but if you don't defend yourself in …

Let each and every one of us imagine that our minds are free from greed, anger, aversion, jealousy, and fear. Let the thought of loving friendliness embrace us and envelop us. Let every cell, every drop of blood, every atom, every molecule of our entire bodies and minds be charged …

We wrap mistakes up in "I'm an idiot and I'm not good enough." Instead of learning from the pain and welcoming it, we push it away find things to numb it or make it go away - like avoidance, complaining, blaming, drugs, drinking, denial, etc. We're not asking ourselves, "What sequence …

Depression infects the clarity of your mind like a virus attacks the body. It weakens your defenses, cripples your resolve, and leaves you vulnerable to corrosive thoughts. It's no wonder that people who've survived a suicide attempt marvel at their own distorted thinking. Thank god I didn't go through with …

It made the reading come alive. Daffy was on time this morning; sometimes he arrives a little late for his talks. His shirttail was tucked into his pants; often it has come out and is flopping loose. However, three buttons on the front of his shirt were unbuttoned and there …

Each neuron has a primary axon, which sends out information to many other neurons, and tens of thousands of branches, called dendrites, which receive information from other neurons. Neurons make contact with one another at points called synapses, and every neuron has from one to ten thousand synapses. As a …

In other words, the promise of what they are going to be delivered doesn't matter so much as how they feel in the moment--and with those who used the reality distortion field, they make them feel loved, validated, energized. It's not a complicated technique, and anyone can do it with …

In order to bridge this gulf, Buddhists over the centuries have devised an array of exercises aimed at smoothing the transition. They take that jump and break it down into little steps. Each step can be practiced by itself. Depression can be debilitating because some symptoms (like fatigue or low …

It's worth remembering that virtually all of the phenomena that paranormal researchers point to as evidence of supernatural or mystical occurrences can be replicated by magicians, most of whom readily admit they're illusionists and they're performing a trick. Doesn't that tell us something? And so, I have a little gremlin …

When the BBC reported on her story in July 2016 she was six months' pregnant. Our main system of trade is money. If you don't like it and can't change it, then learn how to better understand it and get better at it. Jim Rohn said, "I used to say …

It is the biggest barrier to regular physical activity and, by extension, one of the biggest barriers to long-term weight loss success.But let me state it simply: You really need to do it.One thing we know for sure is that people who have long-term success are physically active …

So try to eat protein-rich foods several times a day, especially when your energy level needs a lift. Healthy choices include beans and peas, lean beef, low-fat cheese, fish, milk, poultry, soy products, and yogurt. As I've said elsewhere, avoid processed proteins--such as packaged lunch meats and wrapped cheese slices--and …

One day, there you were! All of the choosing was done for you. Even as you grew up, you probably didn't have any idea that life offered anything other than what you were living. You simply became part of a long chain, its links consisting of your parents, your grandparents …

At the time, going to the gym couldn't have been easier--the fully equipped facility was located in my apartment complex. I couldn't blame my no-shows on traffic, nor could I blame it on membership dues, because membership was free for residents. Even taking a long walk would be better than …

It's good to challenge yourself every now and then, especially when it comes to the way in which you approach your tasks. This will often require you to break your larger tasks down into smaller pieces. Like the old saying goes, How do you eat an elephant? The answer is …

Owning up to them can be challenging, so be gentle as well as honest with yourself. See what insights you gain. You will likely start to notice patterns: Maybe there is a particular time of day when you are vulnerable to sneaking in a bite. Perhaps when you're stressed you …

statistics, 60 percent of depression sufferers between the ages of twelve and seventeen fail to get any form of treatment. Of those who do get treatment, only 19 percent receive both psychotherapy and medication. For the rest, almost all receive counseling alone, with only 2 percent receiving some form of …

What are our weak areas? What could catch us off guard? How can we prepare against flanking in this particular situation? What weak areas are we overlooking?" The more they train and prepare, the less shocking and stressful the actual fight is for them. They're better able to keep their …

The experience of pain is like a complex symphony; every pain experience is unique and each person's brain will play a different "pain song" when it processes danger messages. After the pain signals have traveled to the different areas of the brain, the brain automatically decides how best to interpret …

You will question yourself. You will be in a lot of pain. But the only person that'll be patting you on the back and telling you "It'll be ok" will be YOU. No one will be there when you're in pain and in tears. No one will be there to …

As the saying goes, it is about the journey, not just the destination. Absorbing this attitude can help you create an optimal psychological environment for success. Recognize that positive expectations create a virtuous cycle and a self-fulfilling prophecy! Whether you like it or not, delivering and getting results is how …

The same is true concerning other household chores. Dishes and silverware no longer accumulate in my sink--not because I've become overly fastidious about cleanliness, but because I've developed the positive habit of washing the utensils I used to prepare my meal, either while the food was still cooking, or just …

A slow cooker is also a great timesaving appliance. Fall in love with seasonings. Keep a good supply of herbs, seasonings, and flavored oils to enhance the flavor of your foods. Prepare healthy food with the taste you enjoy. Get into the habit of identifying and thinking positive things about …

I learned something else interesting from my brother when I was talking to him and seeking his thoughts, opinion, and advice on a situation that was making me "frustrated", "irritated", and "angry". He cut me off and said, "Well, Marc, that's where I think you're making a mistake. You're letting …

When beginning the process of taming the bramble of old and thorny emotions in yourself, talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can provide exactly the tools you need to succeed. At The Center, we use a variation of CBT called dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which is a clear and …

Did you feel the texture of your cereals? If your answer is no, you definitely need to get out of your head. Stop thinking and start feeling. Triggers can be blatant or they can be subtle. For example, if a tornado ripped through your childhood home, you're likely terrified of …