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Time in a Bottle - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
The other morning, I awoke to Jim Croce singing “Time in a Bottle” on my Alexa device. It’s a great song. I started thinking about the song’s meaning now that I am 81. Here are some of my thoughts. Tragically, he died in a plane crash in 1973. His death is a reminder of the … Continue reading "Time in a Bottle"
Empathy Fades in a World of Noise - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“A child was badly injured on Wednesday night in what police say was a drive-by shooting in Longmont. It happened in a mobile home park in the southern part of Colorado City, and so far, no one has been arrested.” “Recent random and reckless acts of violence in the streets of downtown Denver are raising … Continue reading "Empathy Fades in a World of Noise"
The Consequences of Illness and Aging - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
It is essential to distinguish two types of illness from each other. Most of us will occasionally get a virus or a different infection. However, these pass, and we continue our lives as before. Then, there is the type of illness characterized by permanent disability. It is a permanent disability that is very damaging both … Continue reading "The Consequences of Illness and Aging"
The Holidays - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
We hear the musical sounds and See the Lights of the Holiday Season. Hanukkah: “I Have a Little Dreydl, Ma Navu, Hatikva Christmas: Jingle Bells, Silent Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Yes, it’s that time in December when people get ready to celebrate Hanukah and Christmas. Logic says it’s a joyous time of year, … Continue reading "The Holidays"
Friendship - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Shakespeare’s works often explore the theme of friendship in depth, highlighting its importance and complexity. In his plays and sonnets, he portrays friendship as a powerful bond that can bring joy, comfort, and support but can also lead to betrayal and heartbreak. In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the friendship between Hermia and Helena is … Continue reading "Friendship"
Time, Change and Trauma - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Jim Croce, Time in a Bottle. “If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I’d like to do Is to save every day till eternity passes away Just to spend them with you If I could make days last forever If words could make wishes come true I’d save every … Continue reading "Time, Change and Trauma"
Ears Plugged in, Talk Blocked Out - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Earbuds, a wonderful invention? Remember this song from the brilliant movie Midnight Cowboy with John Voight (Joe Buck) and Dustin Hoffman (Ratso Rizzo)? “Everybody’s talkin’ at me I don’t hear a word they’re sayin’ Only the echoes of my mind People stoppin’, starin’ I can’t see their faces Only the shadows of their eyes.” … Continue reading "Ears Plugged in, Talk Blocked Out"
When Mental Anguish Can be Difficult to Relinquish - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh “Whether ’tis better in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows or outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing … Continue reading "When Mental Anguish Can be Difficult to Relinquish"
Life Transitions - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Fleetwood Mac There is a lot of meaning in the lyrics of the song Landslide: “Can the child within my heart rise above” Can I sail through the changing’ ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life? Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’ ‘Cause I’ve built my life around you But time makes you … Continue reading "Life Transitions"
Annoyance and Irritability - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Grumpy and Grouchy, Sulky and bad-tempered I’m always grumpy in the morning and irritable, cross, grumbling, crabby, edgy, petulant, cantankerous, testy, grouchy, peevish, crotchety, and cranky. These are just a few words to describe an annoyed and irritable feeling. If you have ever had the experience of being at a dinner, a visit with a family, or … Continue reading "Annoyance and Irritability"
Try a Little Kindness - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
We are living when people feel very troubled. We have only recently emerged from the coronavirus pandemic. Now, there is a war between Russia and Ukraine and terror attacks in Israel, which have led to a brutal war in the Gaza Strip. Bitter political bickering and instability in the United States Congress and animosity between … Continue reading "Try a Little Kindness"
Are You a Compulsive Shopper? - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Compulsive or pathological buying, or monomania, is a preoccupation with impulses to make purchases. The motivations are irresistible, intrusive, and senseless. The shopping behavior causes marked distress, interferes with social functioning and marriage, and often results in financial problems. Signs that a person might have a shopping addiction include: Always thinking about things they plan … Continue reading "Are You a Compulsive Shopper?"
Mental Health, When Stress Rises and Parents Shout - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
We know that rates of anxiety, depression, and worry have increased for various reasons. Often, it is children who endure parental stress. What damage does shouting at a child do? New research suggests that yelling at kids can be as harmful as hitting them; in the two-year study, harsh physical and verbal discipline effects were … Continue reading "Mental Health, When Stress Rises and Parents Shout"
The Unconscious Terror of Death - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“To die, to sleep To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life.” — From “Hamlet” Unveiling the Factual Dilemma of Humanity in … Continue reading "The Unconscious Terror of Death"
Curiosity - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Quotations about curiosity: Curiosity is lying in wait for every secret. Ralph Waldo Emerson “Kids are born curious about the world. What adults primarily do in the presence of kids is unwittingly thwart the curiosity of children.” Neil deGrasse Tyson The best scientists and explorers have the attributes of kids! They ask questions and have … Continue reading "Curiosity"
Who is My Father? - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, ‘You never know what you can accomplish until you try.” Michael Jordan. “It is a wise father that knows his own child.” William Shakespeare. A famous baseball player, Harmon Killebrew, is credited with saying, “My … Continue reading "Who is My Father?"
An Exploration of Love - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“For one human being to love another, that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation,” Rainer Maria Rilke. “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within … Continue reading "An Exploration of Love"
Existential Crisis, Who Am I and Why? - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Many people experience a lack of commitment and purpose in their lives. It partially explains why there is a sense of isolation and unrelatedness today. At the bottom of a lack of commitment is called an existential crisis. A life crisis is an inner turmoil in which a person questions their identity in life as … Continue reading "Existential Crisis, Who Am I and Why?"
The Closed Gate to Socializing - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
For various reasons, some of us close the gate to being social. I recently discussed closing the gate with someone I know. I am among those who close the gate. It is contradictory to say that I close the gate or do not socialize. However, I have always been socially avoidant. That is another … Continue reading "The Closed Gate to Socializing"
Prejudice Against Older People, Ageism - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Ageism is discrimination against people based on their age. It can take many forms, such as treating older people as less capable or less valuable than younger people or assuming they have dementia. It is seen in the workplace in the attitude of many people towards older people. It leads to stereotypes, reduced opportunities, and … Continue reading "Prejudice Against Older People, Ageism"
Who Are We? The Human Mind and Brain - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
The human mind is complex and intricate, bridging the tangible, intangible, physical, and metaphysical. While there is still much to uncover about the detailed mechanisms underpinning its functioning, a concise explanation would touch on genetics, biology, psychology, and human cognition. On a fundamental level, the human mind emerges from the brain – a physical … Continue reading "Who Are We? The Human Mind and Brain"
Is it Possible to be Jealous, Resentful and Happy Simultaneously? - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Can a person be resentful, jealous, and happy simultaneously? Jealousy results from feeling vulnerable. It is the result of a person believing they are worthless and inadequate. The perception is that everyone else lives a better life, has more possessions, and has more success. In the tragic play Othello, Shakespeare coined “The green-eyed monster.” He … Continue reading "Is it Possible to be Jealous, Resentful and Happy Simultaneously?"
The Impostor Syndrome, Feeling Like a Fraud - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Impostor Syndrome: Understanding the Hidden Challenge At the end of October, I have a presentation for a psychology site on YouTube. It will not be the first time first presentation. I have been on radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and television. Each time I do one of these things, I face the same dilemma. The dilemma … Continue reading "The Impostor Syndrome, Feeling Like a Fraud"
Why Do People Blame The Survivor - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
When I was a boy, my grandmother was famous for blaming the survivor. How did she accomplish this? If anyone in the family caught a virus, she would immediately declare, “Well, you didn’t wear your hat!” Other variations on the theme were such comments as, “You didn’t button your coat, you didn’t wear your … Continue reading "Why Do People Blame The Survivor"
When Grief Never Ends: Complicated Grief - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Complicated Grief, Also Known as Prolonged Grief Disorder. “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” Aeschylus Aeschylus was an ancient Greek author known for his tragic plays and poems. I lost my wife to pancreatic cancer eight years ago after 50 years of marriage. Many well-meaning people told … Continue reading "When Grief Never Ends: Complicated Grief"
Fate vs. Decision Making - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.”― John Lennon “It was written I should be loyal to the nightmare of my choice.”― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”― Gautama Buddha, Sayings of … Continue reading "Fate vs. Decision Making"
The Free Choice of Forgiveness and Healing - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
“The Choice” by Edith Eger: A Journey of Healing, Resilience, and Forgiveness In a recent essay, we explored whether our lives are fated to be as they are or if we have free choice. The answer is Free Choice. In her powerful memoir, “The Choice,” Edith Eger takes readers on a profound journey of healing, … Continue reading "The Free Choice of Forgiveness and Healing"
Another Song With Meaning and Symbols - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Creedance Clearwater Revival “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” For me and others, songs are meaningful because they can transport us to different times and places, evoke emotions we might not have otherwise felt, and connect us to others through shared experiences. Music is a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by people … Continue reading "Another Song With Meaning and Symbols"
Fate vs. Decision Making - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Destiny, the future and fate. “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.”― John Lennon “It was written I should be loyal to the nightmare of my choice.”― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk … Continue reading "Fate vs. Decision Making"
- DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Some of my fondest memories go back to playing sports in the Bronx, where I grew up. The Bronx in the 1950s was a melting pot of cultures, a place where children from diverse backgrounds could come together through shared experiences. One of the most cherished aspects of their childhoods was the abundance of street … Continue reading ""
Nonverbal Communication - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
The Role of Nonverbal Communication and Body Language Quotes The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said. Peter Drucker When the eyes say one thing and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on the language of the first. Ralph Waldo Emerson You are on a first date with a very … Continue reading "Nonverbal Communication"
Imagine - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Imagine a utopian world. Imagine. Imagine world peace. Imagine no more poverty. Imagine no more racism. The list of things many of us imagine is very long. Of course, John Lennon reminds us of everything we can imagine. Utopianism refers to a state or society that is romantic, perfect, and free from flaws or problems. … Continue reading "Imagine"
Love, Tragedy and Reunion - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Many years ago, my wife told me I’m a romantic. She was right. It’s been seven years since I lost her to pancreatic cancer. Life is not fair. However, I am both a romantic and a sentimentalist. At eighty, I feel myself becoming even … Continue reading "Love, Tragedy and Reunion"
Happiness, What it is and What it Isn't - DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Happiness is a wonderful and fulfilling state of being we all strive for. It is a positive emotion because it is contentment and a sense of well-being. Happiness can differ for each person, as it is subjective and can vary based on individual experiences, values, and goals. It can come from various sources, such … Continue reading "Happiness, What it is and What it Isn’t"