The Partnership of Boundaries and Anger

John is a hard worker and dedicates every day to accomplishing great things at his office. His coworkers notice his achievements and begin asking him to help them, to do favors for them, even to mentor and coach them. John is excited about the acknowledgement and agrees to help others. But taking more onto his… Continue reading The Partnership of Boundaries and Anger

Shifting from Anger Management to Anger Assistance

According to the American Psychological Association, “the goal of anger management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger causes. You can't get rid of, or avoid, the things or the people that enrage you, nor can you change them, but you can learn to control your reactions.” I love… Continue reading Shifting from Anger Management to Anger Assistance

Family Visits and Emotional Upsets

What's it like when your family comes to visit? Do things go smoothly? What about when your in-laws come? How are things then? How are you left feeling when any friends or guests enter your home? Do any of these situations take a toll on you? For a long time, when anyone visited, it was wonderful and… Continue reading Family Visits and Emotional Upsets

Emotional Offspring. Yeah, That’s a Thing.

When I learned emotions are messengers that tell us important things we need to do, I was so relieved! This simple but profound understanding could help me work through my emotions to avoid the negative consequences from them, and to finally regain my sense of peace. But how could I ever learn all the meanings… Continue reading Emotional Offspring. Yeah, That’s a Thing.

Are You (fill in the blank) Right Now? And How to Work Through Your Anger

Are you feeling angry right now? You know, upset, mad, or ticked off? Or maybe you are a little more than that . . . like irate, infuriated, incensed, or livid? Did someone just push the right buttons today that made your blood boil? Are you feeling frustrated with anything or anyone? Because you can’t… Continue reading Are You (fill in the blank) Right Now? And How to Work Through Your Anger

A Ruined Funeral and How I Fixed It

Have you ever had an important event ruined because you were angered by someone? I have. Were you able to work through that anger? I am remembering the funeral for my grandfather a few months ago and how I observed many things—about how people grieve differently, about how not dealing with current emotions contributes to… Continue reading A Ruined Funeral and How I Fixed It

Even a Third Grader Can Do It

My third grader came home yesterday in a great mood. She was so pleasant and excited. They had made bat caves at school, and she said, “It was the best day ever.” So I was very perplexed when, a few hours later, she was very grouchy and grumpy after going to the store with her… Continue reading Even a Third Grader Can Do It

Annoyed with Renters–And What it Really Means

Lately, my parents have been talking about serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This usually means eighteen months, away from home, serving, teaching, and helping all of God’s children. The discussion recently has been about what to do with their home while they are away. At first, my… Continue reading Annoyed with Renters–And What it Really Means