Mental Health: How Being an Empath Can Ruin Relationships

14 years ago, I discovered I'm an empath. I always knew, even as a child, that I felt others pain, but it was good to discover that intense sensitivity had a name. Empath Guide defines it well: Criticism, suffering, hurt, humiliation, shame are hard enough for me to bear. Watching others feel them is agonizing. Knowing I'm an empath explains a lot about my interpersonal struggles. It can ruin or heal relationships.  Mental Health: How Being an Empath Can Ruin Relationships

Tribute to My Big-Hearted Little Hero

This was written by my friend and fellow freelancer Sherry Delauder Wright in memory of her son Logan who passed away. Please read it and be blessed by it. Spread the love. Like the old campfire song says "it only takes a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing. That's how it is with God's love. Once you've experienced it, you want to pass it on."

"I lost my hero on Saturday. My sweet Logan was five-and-a-half years old when, in my arms, he drew his final ragged breaths and went home to Jesus.

His passing followed a brutal 18-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer known as Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor, or AT/RT. The journey began back in August of 2010, when his right eye suddenly turned inward during dinner."  Read more

Sandy Hook School Shootings--Mental Health Resources for Kids, Disaster Victims

In light of the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., it's important to address emotional health issues for parents and kids. In fact, all of us, as a nation are grieving. We need to examine our response to crisis and protect ourselves. Part of that involves guarding our minds against excessive fear. Parents particularly need to be mindful of how they discuss the deaths with their children. We have to be sensitive and open, but not reactionary.  Here are mental health resources for disaster victims and all of us as we recover. Read more

Parent coping tips for teen anger and mood swings

Clinical teen depression and adolescent major mood disorder are relatively uncommon, but tell that to parents of teens and they may not agree. Bouts of moodiness are hallmarks of teen behavior and one of the most worrisome for parents. Here's a parent survival kit for dealing with teen mood swings. read more

Empty nest syndrome: Ways to survive kids moving out

When children leave home, many parents experience depression symptoms called "Empty Nest Syndrome," says Psychology Today. Typically, empty nesters are mothers, but dads experience it, too. Some factors affect empty nest, including number and age of kids, family closeness, death of children, and boomerang kids (those who leave and come back). Life factors like parents' relationship, jobs, health and social opportunities determine severity, too. Here are tips for coping with empty nest syndrome.  Empty nest syndrome: Ways to survive kids moving out 

Healthy Grieving and Coping with Loss Patterns

Healthy Grieving and Coping with Loss Patterns A friend who lost the love of her life shared recently that she had no idea that grief could be so pervasive or take so long to heal. I hold a degree in psychology and have grief counseling experience--none of that prepared me for the horrific and sickening vacuum that loss of a loved one left in my soul. Here are thoughts about coping with loss and helping others heal from their grief, collected from numerous personal grief experiences along with walking with friends on the healing journey. Read on...