As young school children, we are taught to ask the teacher for support and receive feedback to help us learn. That feedback was often in the form of a grade that we interpreted as either good or bad. As adults, giving feedback to one another can evoke a strong defensive reaction. We know this defensive […]
We have a friend who complained about the ups and downs and volatility of the stock market in the last few days. He focused on his dream of a larger retirement check, rather than the comfortable retirement he now has. We have another friend who complains about not being able to travel, insisting that she […]
It may sound like a lot to accept the idea of welcoming all your emotions. It’s great to feel happy and joyful, but how about the uncomfortable emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration? For most of us, it is not easy to be comfortable with these heavier emotions. With the pandemic and disruptions everywhere, you […]
Have you ever wondered about the origins of the saying “waiting for the other shoe to drop?” It began in the early 1900’s with poorly constructed buildings in the U.S. that had very thin floors and walls. At night, tenants would often hear their neighbors above them getting ready for bed. Part of the nighttime […]
Have you ever experienced someone driving recklessly on the freeway, changing lanes, and almost causing an accident? We have and admit to hoping there’s a highway patrol officer around the bend, ready to turn their siren on and issue a costly speeding ticket. We call our desire to see a police officer stop the careless […]
Many of us stay in the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT) roles during our life more than we’d like to admit. What most of us don’t realize is that our true self—that part of us we call our Creator essence and the primary role in TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic)® —is right beneath the surface waiting to […]
The simple act of asking for support or help can become a huge issue for anyone stuck in the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT). As recovering Rescuers, we (David & Donna) have both struggled with asking for help at times. When we are stuck in the Rescuer role, we believe our job is to help others […]
A few years ago, I (Donna) took a cross-country trip with my three adult children. The last night of our trip, my son enjoyed a night out with friends, feasting on hot wings and a few beverages. As the family headed to the airport early the next morning, it was obvious that he had a […]
It may be one of the most common things we say to ourselves: “I will be happy when…” How do you complete that sentence? You may say you will be happy when you have a new home, better job, a different body shape, a new relationship, or a dream vacation. Unfortunately, this is backward thinking. […]
There is a leadership story that illustrates being trapped in repetitive tasks. The story goes like this: There was a hermit who would cut enough wood each summer to heat his forest cabin through the winter. One day, he heard on his shortwave radio that an early winter storm was heading his way. He rushed […]