Relationships and Connections

Relationships are key to successfully living in the world. There are foundational relationships we form with caregivers. There are relationships we form with significant others like friends, colleagues or romantic partners. Then there is the most significant relationship that develops throughout our lives – the one with ourselves.

Relationships can be affected positively or negatively based on how we learn to give or receive love when we are children. As adults we then get to choose what skills we have that are healthy and which skills deserve a bit more refining.

Are you someone that gets tripped up when it comes to relationships – either with others or with yourself?

Not to worry, we all have areas in our relationships that could use a bit of practice or improvement.

The interesting thing to keep in mind about our ability to relate with others is that our skill grows in relationship…

Relationships and connections are the building blocks of our lives. They shape the way we see the world and how we interact with others. Whether it's a close bond with a family member, a deep connection with a friend, or a romantic relationship, our connections with others can bring us joy, comfort, and a sense of purpose.

But, as much as relationships can bring us happiness, they can also be a source of stress, conflict, and disappointment. Maintaining relationships and connections takes effort, patience, and understanding.

Here are some tips for building and nurturing positive relationships and connections in your life:

1. Communication: Communication is key to any relationship. When we listen to others and express ourselves clearly, we can build trust, resolve conflicts, and deepen our connections.

2. Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. By showing empathy towards others, we can build stronger relationships…

At the close of the year, many take an introspective look at their lives. Often, time is spent taking a personal inventory of shortcomings and how life and self can be improved. That might look like setting New Year’s goals for performance, self-improvement, or achievement.

There is nothing wrong with improvement, but a constant awareness of falling short can impede the acceptance and mental health benefits of focusing on what is right in the present moment. What if this year the goal was to shift your mindset from one of “fixing” to adopting the attitude of “accepting” the human you already are?

As you look towards 2023, we’ll tell you:

• why being overly reflective can be damaging

• how to shift your mindset

• how to account for your strengths (not just the things you need to work on)

From Dr. Mary Rondeau:

In France, a group of individuals was shown pictures of chocolate cake and asked to describe a word that the picture meant to them. Common answers included "celebration" Americans asked the same question...our answer was "guilt"

It is not that the French don't like sweets...they do! I was raised by a French mother and she, like many other French people, love their sweets. One difference is the French tend to focus on quality vs quantity. When traveling in France and staying with relatives, I observed that most eat a little sweets daily but just a bite. This was true in my childhood house as well. It may be a bite of chocolate in the afternoon for a snack.

It is just a different approach to food. The food they eat is very fresh, includes a lot of veggies and is not too much. They eat slow,…