The desire to please others isn’t all bad. But when the desire to please becomes extreme, it keeps you from tending to a more vulnerable part of your own soul in need. When you focus always on the needs of others, you risk neglecting your deepest desires. You also may be avoiding your fears and...
You know the feeling. . .You’re at the dinner table with the people you love most, but you’re not really present. Your mind is a million miles away. Maybe you’re mentally scanning your to-do list or replaying the tape of that hard conversation you had with a friend earlier that day. Maybe you’re berating yourself...
So what IS comfort? According to the dictionary, it’s simply the easing of a difficult or painful emotion. It can also apply to physical pain. Comfort isn’t a band-aid, nor is it a cure. It doesn’t cover over pain, nor does it completely take it away. Comfort acknowledges the reality of pain and provides some relief. . ....
I always struggled to thrive in summer, even before I had a family. On one hand, I enjoy the happy chaos, but my soul tends to take a beating without the natural rhythms of a school year. In the absence of a set structure, I default to adapting my day-to-day routines around the needs of...
We want to bring peace to others. Unfortunately, our loved ones’ struggles often trigger our own troubling emotions, making it difficult to be of real help. When someone shares a need or frustration, the following four types of responses are common but not always most helpful. Do you recognize your own go-to method here? Agreement....
We want to be close to God and to others. . . but did you know that connection starts with you? We all crave the experience of being seen and loved for who we really are. And we rejoice when someone we love lets us in to see them for who they really are. Such...
Everyone deals with painful emotions from time to time. You might struggle with anger, envy, fear, or guilt. These emotions might be related to a current experience, or they might be emotions you have struggled with for a very long time. Regardless, it’s possible to heal painful emotions. Learning how to heal painful emotions is...
“Healthy distance” is a phrase that has been on my mind a lot lately as I help people grapple with difficult relationships. My mom always used to say, “some people are loved best from a distance.” I never really understood this saying until I began to think about the parts of ourselves that carry conflicting...
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this website and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this website are for informational purposes only.
Subscribe to my e-newsletter and get two FREE e-books and a guided audio exercise as my gifts.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 614
Big Horn, WY 82833