To truly listen to another is a form of grace. Listening deeply means we allow the other to come into our mind and heart, to entertain them in the home of our Self. We accommodate room for them to express themselves without leaving them alone in their thoughts and feelings. This attitude of grace is very hard to maintain when the conversation becomes heated. Asdistressing...
Read More
“I can hear everything you are saying, I’m just not listening.” Does it ever feel like this is happening in a conversation with a loved one? When emotions run high, its common to shut down our rational thinking brain (prefrontal cortex) and instead to begin using more primitive responses pushed by our emotional brain (the limbic system). Beginning and sticking with a non-judgmental, accepting and...
Read More
Somehow, it happened again. You and your loved one begin what seems to be a discussion, and suddenly you are both transported into an alternative universe of yelling, anger, hurt feelings and tears. Someone tripped the wire of an emotional land mine and set off a fire storm of words, memories, and damage. Such events can often serve as triggers for using (or other unhealthy...
Read More