Welcome... Our InnerSelf welcomes your inner self.
If a situation is not all roses, there are unpleasant things to deal with as well as the pleasant ones. And such is life, and so are we. We contain within us light and dark, joy and sadness, trust and doubt, love and fear... All of these essences are present and sometimes invisible to us as they may reside in our shadow.
As you scroll down through this week's articles, you will find the words fear, shadow, stress, manipulation, pain. Yet you also find the balance in the themes of kindness, love, prayer, compassion, vision, meditation, creating a better world, and choosing love over fear. This week we dare take a look at our dark side, and also learn to befriend our shadow.
We also have numerous additional articles covering themes such as cults, teenagers, drinking, cats and dogs, the American dream, climate, prejudice, and much more... Scroll down below and discover this week's new additions to InnerSelf.
Wishing you enjoyable insightful reading, and of course a wonder-full, joy-full, and loving week.
Marie T. Russell
editor/publisher,
InnerSelf.com
"New Attitudes...New Possibilities"
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NEW ARTICLES THIS WEEK
The Quality of Mercy: Choosing Kindness and Love
Written by Alan Cohen
An elementary schoolteacher asked her students to describe in a sentence, “What is love?” The teacher received many humorous and touching answers, yet the one that moved her the most was: “Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”
Article continued here: The Quality of Mercy: Choosing Kindness and Love
Easing Fear in Children (and Adults)
Written by Brent Feinberg
Many of the fears that parents have and try to hide from their children are not quite hidden. Emotional fears, financial, or any fear at all is picked up on by children. The good news is that fear is normal. We all have fears...
Article continued here: Easing Fear in Children (and Adults)
Prayer Works: Try It and Persist!
Written by Joyce Vissell
There is a large billboard sign along the Saw Mill River Parkway north of New York City that reads in big bold letters, “Prayer Works.” There are no other words on the sign. A man named Tom rode by that sign every single day on his way to work. He did not believe in prayer and he scoffed at the sign each day.
Article continued here: Prayer Works: Try It and Persist!
Only the Shadow Knows: Befriending Your Shadow
Written by Kate O'Connell, LPC
Conformity is how we have been conditioned to participate in a false sense of security which results in us being out of integrity with ourselves. On a deep, unconscious level we are aware of this and this awareness largely informs our suffering.
Article continued here: Only the Shadow Knows -- Befriending Your Shadow
How We Are Being Manipulated in Trivial to Momentous Situations
Written by Howard G. Charing
Although propaganda is as ancient as civilization itself, it has taken on a new force with the ubiquitous power of modern technology. This enhanced form of reality manipulation is used to influence us regarding the most trivial to the most momentous situations, and these persuasive techniques have far-reaching effects on the human condition.
Article continued here: How We Are Being Manipulated in Trivial to...
Creating a Better World: The Shadow and the Vision
Written by Kent Nerburn
We Americans are caught in a web of our own creation. We celebrate the individual; we praise self-reliance. We have built our entire economic system on competition and striving, where we set ourselves one against the other... Is this truly the vision of who we want to be and what we wish to pass along to our children?
Article continued here: Creating a Better World: The Shadow and the Vision
How Meditation Can Manage Chronic Pain and Stress
by Daniel Goleman
If you want to feel less pain, meditate more often. According to this new research, it can genuinely erase the…
Article continued here: How Meditation Can Manage Chronic Pain and Stress
The Shape Of Water: Choosing Love Over Fear
by Anthony Bonato, Ryerson University
The Shape of Water is a gorgeous and entertaining movie, but it also has a timely, allegorical message about our…
Article continued here: The Shape Of Water: Choosing Love Over Fear
How Cult Leaders Exploit A Basic Psychological Need
by Lou Manza, Lebanon Valley College
Charles Manson, who died Nov. 19, famously attracted a coterie of men and women to do his bidding, which included…
Article continued here: How Cult Leaders Exploit A Basic Psychological Need
Brain Scans Reveal Why Rewards And Punishments Don't Seem To Work On Teenagers
by Gina Rippon, Aston University
Parents and teachers are painfully aware that it’s nearly impossible to get a teenager to focus on what you think is…
Article continued here: Brain Scans Reveal Why Rewards...
Do Different Drinks Make You Different Drunk?
by Nicole Lee, Curtin University
Reports of a study linking different kinds of alcoholic drinks with different mood states were making the rounds…
Article continued here: Do Different Drinks Make You Different Drunk?
Sorry Cat Lovers, But Dogs Are Smarter
by David Salisbury-Vanderbilt University
Dogs have significantly more neurons in their cerebral cortex—”little gray cells” associated with thinking, planning…
Article continued here: Sorry Cat Lovers, But Dogs Are Smarter
Should We Aim For Perfection And Stop Fearing Failure?
by Jon Bowers
Sometimes trying your best isn't enough; when the situation demands it, you need to be perfect.
Article continued here: Should We Aim For Perfection And Stop Fearing Failure?
How To Help Children Recover From The Trauma Of Disaster
by Florence Halstead, University of Hull
In any culture, children hit by a natural disaster will see family members undergo huge amounts of stress and worry.…
Article continued here: How To Help Children Recover From The Trauma...
Is There's More To Life Than Being Happy?
by Emily Esfahani Smith
Our culture is obsessed with happiness, but what if there's a more fulfilling path?
Article continued here: Is There's More To Life Than Being Happy?
The Perversion Of The American Dream
by William McKeen, Boston University
For millions today, the American dream is simply the delirious pursuit of fame. Ask a schoolchild what he wants and…
Article continued here: The Perversion Of The American Dream
Is Drinking Wine Really Good For Your Heart?
by Adrian Baranchuk; Bryce Alexander and Sohaib Haseeb, Queen's University, Ontario
As the weekend approaches, people are opening wine bottles in bars and restaurants and homes around the world, ready to…
Article continued here: Is Drinking Wine Really Good For Your Heart?
A Fresh Start For Climate Change Mitigation In New Zealand
by Robert McLachlan, Massey University
The election of the sixth Labour-led government heralds a new direction for climate change policy in New Zealand. As…
Article continued here: A Fresh Start For Climate Change Mitigation...
White Children's Bias Towards Other White Children Is Not Due To Prejudice
by Amanda Williams, University of Bristol
Research has consistently shown that white individuals display implicit bias favouring white people over black people…
Article continued here: White Children's Bias Towards Other White Children...
How Gendered Language Shapes The Way We See The World
by Ella Tennant, Keele University
Is water male or female – and does it really matter? English does not allocate gender to words. Although some things,…
Article continued here: How Gendered Language Shapes The Way We See The World
Why Men Also Get Postnatal Depression
by Andrew Mayers, Bournemouth University
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in media reports about postnatal depression and other maternal…
Article continued here: Why Men Also Get Postnatal Depression
These Foods Will Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease
by Karen Mornin, University of British Columbia
Low-fat or low-carb? Butter or margarine? Avocado oil or coconut oil? Bombarded with contradictory media reports on the…
Article continued here: These Foods Will Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease
Responsible Chocolate Is About Protecting Both Forests And Cocoa Farmers’ Livelihoods
by Mark Hirons, Constance McDermott, and Victoria Maguire-Rajpaul, University of Oxford
Chocolate lovers probably don’t want any new reasons to feel guilty about eating chocolate. But there is growing public…
Article continued here: Responsible Chocolate Is About Protecting Both...
An Ethical Guide To Responsible Giving
by Ted Lechterman, Stanford University
Every holiday season, Americans find themselves showered with mailed appeals, beseeching phone calls and emotional…
Article continued here: An Ethical Guide To Responsible Giving
Some Brain Training Programs Cut Dementia Risk
by Marjorie Miller-Penn State University
Certain cognitive training via the computer may reduce the risk of dementia among older adults, researchers report.…
Article continued here: Some Brain Training Programs Cut Dementia Risk
When It Comes To Mental Health, A Problem Shared Can Be A Problem Doubled
by Robin Bailey, University of Central Lancashire
People discuss their problems with friends in the hope that they’ll gain some insight into how to solve them. How…
Article continued here: When It Comes To Mental Health, A Problem Shared Can Be A Problem Doubled
Why Keeping Score Of Friends On Social Media May Be Harmful To Your Health
by Ashley Whillans, Harvard Business School and Frances Chen, University of British Columbia
These days, with the rise of social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, it is easier than ever to benchmark the…
Article continued here: Why Keeping Score Of Friends On Social Media May Be Harmful...
How Some Websites Watch Your Every Move And Ignore Privacy Settings
by Yijun Yu, The Open University
Hundreds of the world’s top websites routinely track a user’s every keystroke, mouse movement and input into a web form…
Article continued here: How Some Websites Watch Your Every Move And Ignore Privacy Settings
Why Grown-ups Still Need Fairy Tales
by Marguerite Johnson, University of Newcastle
For as long as we have been able to stand upright and speak, we have told stories. They explained the mysteries of the…
Article continued here: Why Grown-ups Still Need Fairy Tales
10 Steps to Understanding Net Neutrality
by Jeff Inglis, The Conversation
What is net neutrality, this policy Ajit Pai, President Trump’s chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has…
Article continued here: 10 Steps to Understanding Net Neutrality
New Research Suggests Common Herbicides Are Linked To Antibiotic Resistance
by Jack Heinemann, University of Canterbury
Antibiotics are losing their ability to kill bacteria. One of the main reasons for the rise in antibiotic resistance is…
Article continued here: New Research Suggests Common Herbicides Are Linked To...
Why Addiction May Be A Matter Of Motivation, Not Habit
by The University of Michigan
Motivation, rather than habit, drives addictive behavior in the face of adverse consequences and constantly changing…
Article continued here: Why Addiction May Be A Matter Of Motivation, Not Habit
Astrological Journal for the Week
Written by Pam Younghans
This weekly column (updated every Sunday afternoon) is based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies... Read this week's journal here
It is also highly beneficial to reread the past week's astrological journal as it gives a hindsight view of the events that took place and may provide many "ah-ha" insights.
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