Dr. Neill NeillFirst Decade:
by Dr. Neill Neill, Registered Psychologist
Impatience with your wife or husband can bring you a mountain of grief. Patience facilitates personal insights and growth. A couple of examples of impatience are in order.
You say "I stopped for coffee after I did the banking," and your spouse replies, "Why? There’s coffee here."
Dr. Neill Neill
Every year each one of us grows older. Some try to avoid this by using every product possible for looking younger. But, what about the knowledge and understanding we have gained through life experiences? Is it more important to look younger or accept the wisdom that comes with age?
Dr. Neill Neill, Ph.D., R.Psych., D-CEP
Welcome to Practical Psychology for Capable People, for secrets to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Practical Psychology for Capable People is your place for practical tips, insights and wisdom for a better life. Whether you want some marriage advice, are struggling with alcoholism in your family, facing some midlife changes, or simply wanting more peace in your life, this is your place to pause, reflect… and change.
I regulary post new articles here, often as a reflection of your questions and concerns. So bookmark this site and return often and leave your comments and questions.
For starters my gift to you is a free download of a short, very practical ebook I wrote, The Personal Change Manifesto. I will send you an e-mail, entitled Practical Psychology[/tag-tec] for Capable People each time I publish a new article.
Enter your first name and email address in the box on the left and watch your inbox for instructions.
Neill
By Dr. Neill Neill, Registered Psychologist
There have been some deeply personal things going on in my life that during the past few weeks have made me feel at times like my life is on hold.
My firstborn son, Richard, is gravely ill at age 41. He’s in the capable loving care of his wife, Tracey. He is receiving excellent daily palliative care from an outside support team. But he lives 3000 miles from where I live.
My wife Eileen and I visited him in early October when it appeared he had only days to live. He has rallied somewhat, and I’m planning another trip within the next two weeks. At this point he thinks he will make it until my next visit.
And that is why I have this feeling of being on hold.
Neill Neill
Why do you go see a medical doctor, psychologist, chiropractor or other health professional? Most people would answer that they seek help because they have a problem that needs fixing. What is the true problem that needs fixing?
You might go to your chiropractor because your back is hurting after lifting something heavy. You see your doctor because you can’t breathe, because you have chest pains, or because you have a fever. You might seek a psychologist’s help because you are having anxiety attacks, you are fighting with your marriage partner, or you want to get over your alcohol addiction.
Dr. Neill Neill
Are you stuck facing your wall?
Imagine a major barrier blocks you in your life. It interrupts your growth as a man or woman. Let’s call it a wall. You know you don’t want to be where you are, but you feel stuck. You have tried to break through, but the wall is still in front of you. Such a scene plays out many times in the normal flow of life.
Some examples are in order:
Most men in the 40 to 55 age range will experience a period of emotional difficulty at some point. A minority will reach that point before 40 or after 55.
They typically go through it privately, but if it becomes visible, it is sometimes called a mid-life crisis. They may feel unhappy or anxious, or feel stuck in an unsatisfying marriage. They may be troubled by physical problems such as, high blood pressure, heart problems or insomnia. They may be spending or drinking compulsively.
Regardless of the set of symptoms each presents, they are unanimous in their feeling that something is not quite right in their lives.
Neill Neill, Ph.D.
After some much-needed family time, my first post of 2007 is to set a direction for 2007 and to invite you to come with me. In the past my first article has been about making resolutions and setting goals: how do you maximize your chances of manifesting your personal dreams for the new year?
This year I’ve been thinking about a more expanded approach, a big-picture approach to the new year. I’m not talking about your personal resolutions. Rather, I am talking about our collectively holding an intention, a larger vision for our community.
"Community" can be whatever you decide: your family, your neighborhood, your town or city, your country or even the global community.
My five top wishes for 2007 are below. Please join me in considering the big picture. Add your own big wishes to the Comments section below. With a clear direction there is something big or small that each of us can do to move our communities in that direction.
Dr. Neill Neill
