One obstacle to a great relationship with ourselves is that we tend to not dig deeply into our own hearts, our minds and our emotions, so that we are often left not knowing our inner selves very well. Periodically I attempt to offer a list of questions designed to help you gain awareness of your […]
Dear Neil: Is there a way to measure how resilient a person is? My girlfriend walked out on me the same week I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I’m handling things okay, but it got me to wondering if being resilient is something I could cultivate or develop. Any ideas? Holding On In San Francisco […]
Note: This is the second of a two-part series. Click here for part one Here are questions designed to assist you in getting to know yourself better. I urge you to do this exercise in writing, because you’ll forget your answers if you don’t write them down. After you’ve answered a question, challenge yourself to […]
Note: This is the first of a two-part series. Click here for part two We tend to focus on the relationships with the people closest to us: our spouse or intimate partner, our friends, children, parents, extended family, friends and co-workers. We ask ourselves how these relationships are going and what we need to do […]
How self-conscious are you? Take this quiz to find out. After each question, mark: Disagree, Somewhat agree, or Strongly agree.
1. When talking with strangers, I tend to avoid looking at them in the eyes.
Note: This is the second of a two-part series. Click here for part one You know what’s wrong with you. You know most of your flaws, what you do poorly, where you are particularly vulnerable and when you don’t measure up. Likewise, you know when you’re only half-hearted, and you know when you don’t try […]
Note: This is the first of a two-part series. Click here for part two Dear Neil: I am going to be 45, and I can’t seem to move past my issues. I basically feel I am not good enough. I was a baby when my parents divorced. My initial issues with not being good enough […]
Most of us take pride in doing something well, in using our skills and abilities effectively, in handling a difficult situation with grace or tact, in accomplishing something challenging—or in doing the many tasks, chores or “have to’s” that define our lives, our careers, our homes and our families. But that’s not what we tend […]
Dear Neil: I’m a 24 year old male in my final year of university. Sometimes I can be extremely confident, with high self-esteem. But sometimes, I plunge into the darkest of places, looking for affection, recognition, praise and love, and I can be very afraid of what other people think of me. I lack confidence […]
What is a successful life? How do you know if your life is successful? What criteria defines success to you? Yes, I know. Many people first think about whether they have enough money. It’s hard to feel terribly successful if you’re afraid of losing your house, not able to pay your bills, not able to […]