Ever wonder why people estrange themselves from you? This episode is dedicated to mothers who feel/are estranged from their adult kids. Really, it's for anyone who feel estranged from people they love, but I specifically mention mothers because many reached out on Mother's Day with a lot of concern, pain, and feelings of loss.  Let's figure this out together.  

Saying it like it is... Introduction... general mental health rant and rave... Stay tuned for more.  

Love, Dr. Mary Allen & Huey

This episode covers thoughts specific to inclusion, exclusion, perceptions, and more. How can we live together in ways that are mutually respectful?  Is it possible to have positive regard for others, no matter what their views/beliefs/opinions are in a world that is changing and becoming more exclusive rather than inclusive?  Food for thought.

Own your shit.  Recognize your feelings, thoughts, and actions.  You want change in your life?  You have control over that.  You feel stressed?  What are you doing about it? You don't like how things are? Change it!  What are you doing in the here and now? 

 Ever feel like you have too much on your plate and more just keeps getting added... like Thanksgiving dinner? We become full, unable to move, and more. Lets break it down and see what we can do to minimize the stress, anxiety, worry, irritability, etc. When we get to a point where it seems every little thing annoys us, it's time to step back and evaluate when we have control over and what we don't. 

As we continue to unpack "Resisting Happiness" we begin to look at how we get in our own way, and how to make sense of it all.  We need to understand life is messy.  No amount of planning, perfection, detailing, etc., can keep the "mess" from interrupting our lives.  So what mess are you trying to clean up?  What battle are you working through?  Answer the question... have you found the happiness you have so desperately been trying to find your whole life?  Sure, there are nuggets of happiness, but is happiness a constant in your life?  Is joy?  Something to consider. 

In Season 2 Episode 4 we started to explore resistance, as illustrated by Mathew Kelly in his amazing book, "Resisting Happiness."  We all resist happiness to some degree for various reasons.  In order to start understanding why, it's important to understand what resistance is and how we let that go in our quest for happiness. 

This episode helps to look at happiness and how we sometimes we in our own way.  There are few things we can do to lower the resistance and increase our "happiness score."  I guess the question still remains, are you happy? Truly?  Honestly?  Ask yourself and others that very question, while taking an opportunity to identify the resistance in order to lower it and increase our ability to truly be happy.

Were taking a broad look at the book, "Resisting Happiness" by Matthew Kelly.  This book is filled with key components and explanations as to why we resist happiness.  I break it down in measurable bites, so you can utilize this content.  Examples are illustrated as well as relatable experiences.  This will be part of a series, so tune in to catch next episode, "Our quest for happiness."

I have had numerous requests to share insights specific to ways to cope with the holidays and bringing in the new year while experiencing grief, loneliness, isolation, an so much more.   I decided to share a personal experience, which I hope will help others to feel connected in a way of our collective grief.  I hope, with love, care, and support anyone struggling this time of year will acknowledge their grief and accept it is ok to feel heartbroken.  Surround yourselves with what you need to take solace in.  This podcast was created on 12/21 and instead of publishing it right away, I contemplated whether I should have offered more information on effective strategies, but then I decided an episode from the heart, authentically, would offer an inside look at caring, sharing, and reaching out for support.  Thank you for your requests to cover such a difficult topic.  I pray this is helpful.  

At Doc's Corner Chat, we welcome your requests as well as your input on topics you would like to have covered.  Thank you for your continued support and care, not only for our podcast, but for others.  Your contributions help us to provide greater care and services for Mental Health Awareness and Wellness.  

A listener emailed me [email protected] asking for this episode from season one to be available again.  

We are inundated with so many requests to "do" something.  We often feel "guilty" for saying no, but when we say yes to everyone, what do we have left for ourselves?  There is a fine art to saying no, gracefully & tactfully, without putting yourself in an uncomfortable guilt-like situation and without offending anyone.  Saying, "no" is essential to our balance just as saying "yes" when we genuinely want to say yes vs. "feeling like we HAVE to" say yes.