Asking for help builds strength
Asking for help is a counter-cultural activity right from the start. It requires awareness of my own needs and limitations. The dominant US, culture is steeped in the myth of the rugged individualist, independent and self-sufficient. That cowboy doesn’t need help. I...
Asking for help invites relationship
We humans are a social species. We weren’t meant to survive or thrive on our own. Unfortunately, we (especially Americans) have created mythic heroes that are rugged individualists. They don’t need anybody. It’s a lonely life. Those of us who live with illness can’t...
Generosity journaling prompts
Good news: as we move into what we hope is a post-pandemic era, we each get to define what that looks like. Everything was disrupted. Now we have an opportunity to build back better (to borrow a phrase from our new president). What do you want to let go of? Where do...
The strength of surrender
We human beings like to pretend we are in control. We imagine we live in a fair and predictable universe. Part of what makes illness difficult is that we realize the opposite is true. No matter how carefully we assemble the building blocks of health, disease happens,...
The strength of imagination
While imagination is not included on most psychological strengths lists, I find it to be a fun and effective tool for working with thoughts and emotions. The good news is that we can cast into the future to set goals, connect more compassionately with people around...
self-compassion journaling prompts
Psychologist Kristin Neff says there are three elements to self-compassion: self-kindness vs. self-judgmentcommon humanity vs. isolationmindfulness vs. overidentification Here are some journaling prompts designed to help you explore and practice those elements. Bring...
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