All children are born with tender bodies, positively curious minds, pure hearts and innocent souls. However, this world tends to put their bodies, minds, hearts and souls at risk to be scarred, wounded and tarnished with harsh tones, neglect, criticism, bullying, naming and shaming, all kinds of abuse, comparison, perfectionism, violence or any form of[…]
Category Archives: Willing Ways Articles
30
Aug
Aug
Learn to live with change. If you want to be captain of your life and master of your fate, accept change and adapt to it with a smile. Life and living are in a constant flux and thus change is constant too. This requires constant adjustments and adaptations. Before birth we are in mother’s womb[…]
26
Feb
Feb
I think many of us, if not most, have a list of things we’d really like to do, but don’t, because we think we’re undeserving. Do you have such a list? It might not be something you’re even aware of. But it might linger in the back of your mind. You might get hints of[…]
26
Feb
Feb
I used to think that people who are thin and muscular (and thereby fit our odd, ridiculous Western standards) absolutely love their bodies. How could they not? I also used to think that I couldn’t love or even like or even accept my body until I lost weight, until I actually deserved to love it.[…]
26
Feb
Feb
In our society, restriction is perfection. It is beauty. Restriction is seen as a correct, desirable approach and path. We glorify it. We yearn to adhere to it. We see it everywhere. Restrict the number of calories and carbs you eat. Restrict the amount of dessert. Restrict your portions. Don’t even think about having pasta,[…]
25
Feb
Feb
I just penned a piece for our main blog about being ourselves, what this really means and what it really looks like. One of the psychologists I interviewed shared this story with me: A young man was deeply ashamed about his enormous debt from student loans and credit cards. He didn’t want anyone to know, including his[…]
25
Feb
Feb
Identity. It’s a complicated concept that defies easy definition. Yet it is at the heart of the lifelong question, “Who am I?” How we answer includes how much we value ourselves and how safe and competent we feel in the social world. Although it can and does change in response to life experience, the foundation[…]
25
Feb
Feb
“She’s my expensive one.” The mother sitting beside me at the local community pool points to one of her three teenage daughters. “She’s the one who just has to have clothes from the GAP. She won’t wear anything that doesn’t have a designer label. The others are happy with what we can get at Penney’s[…]
24
Feb
Feb
Teen anger takes many forms. It may be expressed as indignation and resentment, or rage and fury. It is the expression of teenage anger — the behavior — that we see. Some teens may repress their anger and withdraw; others may be more defiant and destroy property. They will continue their behavior, or it may[…]
24
Feb
Feb
The answer is probably “yes.” The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the national lack of sleep an “epidemic”. Let that sink in a minute. The CDC, the department focused on illness (and the prevention thereof), is using an incredibly strong term usually reserved for illnesses such as HIV and influenza. Yet, we throw away[…]