• On Dec, 18, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

A Word about “Behaving” We have always known that there is value in making ourselves behave in ways that we don’t particularly want to do or feel like doing. One popular term is “Fake it ’til you make it.” Another is “Behaving ‘as if.’” The concept is this: We can make ourselves behave in ways […]

• On Nov, 26, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

A Word about Gratitude What a wonderful holiday it is!  Thanksgiving! It may be my favorite. No pressure to buy gifts. All we have to do is visit and eat and watch ball games (and eat). Of course, travel can be stressful as can be meal preparation. Also, being with people who we are normally […]

• On Nov, 20, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

A Word about Holiday Stress  Holidays can bring on a confusing array of emotions for anyone. We are out of our usual routines, and we frequently put undue stress on ourselves thinking that everything should be perfect. Thus, our expectations may be higher than usual, frequently of our own making. We are often with people […]

• On Oct, 14, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

More than 20 years ago, Dr. John Gray gave us a new “language” for discussing inter-gender communication when he wrote, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. Fifteen years ago, Dr. Patricia Love added to the discussion with her, How to Improve your Marriage Without Talking About It, in which she pointed out several […]

• On Sep, 30, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

Every day, we are bombarded with thousands of sensory stimuli that trigger thousands of thoughts. Many of these thoughts last only an instant, but we allow ourselves to dwell on others of these thoughts for longer periods of time. The stimuli that trigger our thoughts are largely beyond our control. We may see something on […]

• On May, 02, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

Irrational Thoughts Until recently it was believed that only 10 or 12 common irrational ideas caused most of human misery (Ellis & Harper, 1975). Now, it is thought that there are thousands of misery-causing false ideas (Ellis, 1987), a few of them are very obviously irrational but many are subtle and more convincing (but still […]

• On Apr, 22, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

Where were you when the Boston Marathon Bombs exploded? Breaking news, yet again of another major national crisis. Two brothers have been allegedly identified for planting two bombs that exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon this past week. It is difficult, if not impossible to avoid the barrage of information cast out […]

• On Feb, 28, 2013
•  Claxtoncreative

Practical Strategies For Managing Stress Stress is a part of everyone’s life. In fact, many believe we need a certain amount of stress in life in order to accomplish anything worthwhile. Stress adds flavor, challenge and opportunity to life. However, unmanaged, on-going stress may lead to serious physical and emotional health problems. 100 years ago […]