It’s become a rallying cry. Parents are told they must validate a child’s emotions during a full-blown tantrum. Adults expect other adults to accept and validate emotional outbursts without question. The message is everywhere.In many ways, this is a good thing. For a long time, emotions were dismissed, minimized, or shamed.But somewhere along the way,…
A few years ago, I sat across from a man in my office who said, “I’ve tried everything, Joe. Nothing works. I’m just wired this way.” He wasn’t being dramatic. He was tired. His marriage was falling apart, his anxiety was eating him alive, and he was exhausted from trying to “get better.” You could…
I want to help people.That’s at least part of why I do what I do. I’ve needed help before.I’ve had people show up for me.I’ve also had people who couldn’t help me. But—that wasn’t on them.It was on me. I wasn’t ready to change.More accurately—I wasn’t ready to pay the price change required. I write…
Part one can be found here and part two can be found here. There is a great scene in the animated movie, The Incredibles. The son Dash is being "encouraged" by his parents. One of his parents tells him that everyone is special. Under his breath he replies, "Then no one is." We are stuck…
