Dr. Clifford N. Lazarus ••• Stan was described by someone as “up in the stratosphere.” He seemed to dwell on abstract intellectual issues to the exclusion of all else. He admitted that he did not particularly enjoy food, sex, music,…
Category: General
Porch Farmer’s Hang/Store Crops/Flowers in Basement
Well, the other day my neighbor and I, fellow porch farmers, got the plants off the porch for the winter. It’s OK but I like seeing plants inside and outside, ones with flowers and leaves on them. It lets you…
Our Smiley Lady Ruth’s Blog: “Wisdom Begins with Wonder.”
Golden Gate Bridge Smileys, the twins Walked across this, my favorite bridge, for our annual return to the site where we were wed. My groom started at the south end in S.F.. I started at the north end. We met…
Strategies for Staying Sane: Using Paradoxical Techniques
Dr. Clifford N. Lazarus ••• Clay was at his wit’s end. His mother-in-law often offered him free and unwelcome advice in the form of personal attacks. He went toe-to-toe with her once or twice, but this only aggravated matters. “What…
Strategies for Staying Sane: A Special Empowering Image
Dr. Clifford N. Lazarus ••• Leon had a demanding job and often felt stressed out. He grew concerned when his doctor told him that his blood pressure was too high. He discussed the situation with a close friend who mentioned…
Strategies for Staying Sane: Using an Emotional Thermometer
Dr. Clifford N. Lazarus ••• Ronnie was inclined to fly off the handle. She was hypersensitive and tended to respond with exaggerated emotion to most situations. A close relative commented: “Just about everything about Ronnie adds up to an eleven…
Halloween is a Time for Decorations, Costumes and Fun!
Many people, where I live, are decorating their homes and yards in an effort to be ready for Halloween! Halloween is cool! People love it and approach it with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Halloween has a little bit of everything…
Strategies for Staying Sane: Breaking Bad Habits
Dr. Clifford N. Lazarus ••• Constance found herself pulling her hair again. She had done so most of her life, but in the last few months became aware that her hair was actually thinning. She knew she had to stop. …
Strategies for Staying Sane: Exercising Your Brain
Dr. Clifford N. Lazarus ••• Molly, whom we met in the previous vignette, doesn’t know it, but she could employ several specific methods to better balance her perceptions. When a friend suggested some options for her, she said, “I’m satisfied…
It is Our Smiley Lady, Ruth’s Blog: Live in Anticipation
Live in Anticipation Having something to look forward to, gives your spirit such a lift. Wouldn’t it be great if, everyday, you did have that special something you were anticipating? I think we all do, but that we often don’t recognize that…