I had a cat who compulsively pawed at her own shadow on the wall. Sometimes this habit seemed to entertain her. Sometimes it seemed to frighten her. The thing was, however frantically she pawed at that shadow, it pawed back just as frantically. My cat never seemed to figure out that the only way to… CONTINUE
Zen and the Art of Doubting
Most people like to think of themselves as open-minded. Yet the vast majority of people are anything but. Why is this? The Imperfect Circle There is a sacred symbol associated with Zen. Enso (formally spelled ensō) is an incomplete circle, traditionally drawn with a single spontaneous brushstroke. Enso can be interpreted in a lot of… CONTINUE
When in Doubt, Choose Connectedness
Like it or not, you are connected at an intimate biological level with everyone that comes across your path. Suppose I find myself on an elevator with a stranger. Maybe I’m feeling stressed that day, so my breathing is faster, more shallow. I’m nervously shifting from foot to foot. Studies show that this tends to… CONTINUE
Does Success Truly Satisfy?
As a therapist, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals who have achieved remarkable success in a variety of life areas. When I consider this collection of unusually successful individuals, I ask myself a question: What is the true value of success? When people achieve their most ambitious goals, they come face-to-face with a… CONTINUE
Living Courageously and Other Words of Inspiration for Daily Life
by James Robbins, Dallas Therapist Be brave. Have courage. Easy words to say, but not so easy to put in practice. Courage means you keep showing up. You keep giving it your best effort, even when the outcome is uncertain, even when the odds seem stacked against you. When confronting an obstacle, you admit you… CONTINUE
Are You in Touch with Your Inner Teenager? Advice on Discovering Passion in Life with Dallas Therapist
by James Robbins, Licensed Therapist in Dallas, TX What would my 13 year-old self do? I ask myself this from time to time. Not that my 13 year-old self had all the answers, but I like to check in. As a therapist and life coach I’ve noticed something interesting: When my clients retire from their… CONTINUE
Is Your Phone Keeping You from Growing Up?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC When a child is learning to sleep by herself, a teddy bear helps. The parents give the child a cuddly sleep companion to remind her she is safe and cared for even when alone in the dark. Her bear becomes an important friend, and a kind of stand-in for her parents. She sleeps… CONTINUE
Do You Suffer from Time Traveling Disorder?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC Fear and anger are at the core of every negative human emotion, thought and behavior. Depression and anxiety. Financial worries. Relationship struggles and family drama. Health issues, aging and various addictions. Each of these comes down to one of two things: Fear of someone taking something from you in the future. Anger toward someone… CONTINUE
Are You Ready for Change?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC “Let your refrigerator inspire you.” I recently said this to a client. “Because of the wine, you mean?” she said. Not because of the wine. Or at least not just because of the wine. Consider that little light inside your refrigerator. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you last opened… CONTINUE