In the final installment of PBS’s “This Emotional Life” series, episode 3 “Rethinking Happiness” focused on happiness, rejuvenation and misperceptions regarding how beliefs that are sometimes associated with happiness may not actually influence happiness at all. Why is the one thing we all crave so elusive?
Happiness, at the core, is a state of mind, a choice, and the debate ensues regarding money and its effect. I fall into the camp of belief that money is only associated to happiness based on the degree of comfort in one’s surroundings that it can create, not that it inherently causes happiness in and of itself (picture curling up in front of a fire with stacks of $20s).
But what about serious depression? I mean, if Chevy Chase, who has lots and lots of money, has trouble finding the correct anti-depressant for 6 years, what does that say about money’s role and strength regarding happiness?
In the end, it is the quality of our relationships that influences happiness, which so perfectly brings us circling back to episode 1, and so it goes.
Be prepared for MFT3 to refer to this series often regarding the multitude of topics that were so beautifully illustrated by PBS. I hope you were as moved by it as I was.
Episode 2 of PBS’s “This Emotional Life” series looks at emotions that are commonly regarded as obstacles to happiness — such as anger, fear, anxiety, and despair. At first blush these seem like pretty heavy topics, don’t I already know all about them, how much enjoyment can I get out of this show when I don’t have those problems?
The thing that this episode, “Facing Our Fears” so poignantly expresses is that we all do have all of these feelings, but what to do when they become unmanageable? And what does unmanageable look like, really?
As a therapist I am proud of PBS for being so thorough and explicit, going to the tough place and shedding light into some commonly dark corners. I will be using these episodes as resources for current and future clients as a launching pad for conversations about grief, trauma, depression, fear, how families of the afflicted can be affected and more.
I cannot wait to see tonight’s last episode. I hope you tune in as well. If you missed episode 2, click here to view the entire 2-hour show.
The subject was “Family, Friends and Lovers” and the focus was on the impact and importance of the relationships we have, our absolute need for them to be supportive and nurturing, and when things go awry, where and how to get help.
Even though the specific modality of Marriage and Family Therapy itself was not mentioned, the last part “Lovers”, where we follow the couple Monica and Phil through couples counseling, could not have been more appropriate regarding the actual experience that I have gone through so many dozens of times with couples myself. It was incredibly hopeful to me, as a therapist, that so many hundreds of thousands of people who may have outdated or misinformed ideas of what therapy is or looks/feels like were able to be witnesses to an actual, real, accurate experience.
Tune in tonight for part 2, click the link above if you missed part 1, and check back here tomorrow for more feedback, observation and learning.
2010 is upon us and everyone at MFT3 would like to wish you and yours a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful new year (let us know if we can help in any way, too!).
There is an upcoming special on PBS called “This Emotional Life” that looks to be something special, something that we can all learn from. It’s about people and relationships, happiness and depression, and how to make sense out of many things that seem to be so elusive.
Tune in January 4, 5 and 6 and enjoy. MFT3 will be posting responses here as well as on our Twitter feed.
I recently learned about this amazing not-for-profit called “Girls on the Run“, it was introduced to me through the Ladies Who Launch community.
When something remarkable comes across your path, I believe it is important to share it with as many people as you can. Please enjoy! Watch, learn, and pass along as you see fit.
We hope that you are enjoying our blog posts, interesting topics and useful information from us to you. So along those lines, today’s post is both on- and off-topic; please let us introduce “A Good Thing”; Nec-A-Nec Play tables.
See the adjustable legs? This table can support the weight of an adult.
Play tables? Yes, but not just any play tables. How about hand made, made in the US (right here in Connecticut), signed and numbered pieces of lasting, hand-me-down quality furniture playtables. How about (patented) height adjustable legs that will grow with your children, maybe even become a coffee table or an end table?
MFT3 is proud and fortunate enough to have 2 samples of these gorgeous pieces in our offices. Don McNeill, the designer and craftsman, is a friend and is using the “try and buy” methodology of selling these tables. He has them in several offices where children and families have to wait. What better way to test the durability and kid-friendliness of something? Don even made a triangular one for an unused corner of our office and both kids and adults alike gravitate to it instantly.
Please check out the Nec-A-Nec website, stop by the office for a “test run” and see for yourselves. In these times of creatively striving to make less go further, doesn’t a well made heirloom seem like a sound investment?
Great for unused corner spaces.
The Nec-A-Nec brand.
Disclaimer: MFT3 has no financial or personal stake in the sale or production of Nec-A-Nec play tables. We are just spreading the word about something we think you should know about, a good thing.
T-SNAP (Trumbull)
Trumbull’s Special Needs Awareness Program, enabling emergency services (police, fire & EMS) to better respond when individuals with special needs are involved
TPSLD (Trumbull)
The Trumbull Parents of Students with Learning Differences supports parents of children with special needs in all town public/private schools
Notable sites
AAMFT
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Happiness, at the core, is a state of mind, a choice, and the debate ensues regarding money and its effect. I fall into the camp of belief that money is only associated to happiness based on the degree of comfort in one’s surroundings that it can create, not that it inherently causes happiness in and of itself (picture curling up in front of a fire with stacks of $20s).
