The Unconscious

The Unconscious

When I started my training as a psychologist, I moved in with two students I did not know. One of them told me about an incident the prior year with the other one, “Doug.” Doug went far from home to attend university. Doug, feeling the freedom of being away from...
Judging Others

Judging Others

Almost everyone has heard of the Bible injunction to “judge not that ye may not be judged.” Yet we often judge people. Some of us work as judges. Others of us serve as jurors in trials. I often ask a friend what sentence she would give a person who is in...
Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing

I went forest bathing recently. I might have done it in Japan, where forest bathing is a national pastime, but I chose Tasmania. Forest bathing involves walking or resting in a forest and absorbing the environment. I did my bathing in various places, including Mt...
It is what it is

It is what it is

When something goes wrong, people commonly say: “It is what it is.” So, if Afghani soldiers don’t show up on time to start an attack, Aussie soldiers might comment: “It is what it is.” If employees find out that their new supervisor is widely known...