The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By: Megan Brewer IMH During the holiday season, many people await the coming of Christmas through the observance of Advent. Advent is an ancient church tradition beginning 4 weeks before Christmas and is a season of anticipation and expectation for the coming of Christ to the world. During Advent, the themes of hope, peace, joy and love are highlighted. Observers reflect on a different theme each week and reflect upon its significance in the coming of Christ. The theme of peace is prevalent during the second week of Advent—and for the entire Christmas season for that matter—but many would describe the holiday season as anything but peaceful. Many feel the strain of the commercialized demands of shopping for presents, over-committing to parties and events, and navigating complicated and sometimes hostile family dynamics. It is surprising more people are not waiting for the holiday season to be over rather than looking towards it with hope, peace, joy, love and anticipation. ...

By: Megan Brewer IMH Have you ever noticed how seemingly small miscommunications can quickly turn into large arguments? One minute you’re discussing a particular topic and the next you’re swimming in the deep waters of emotional hurt and misunderstanding. How does this happen so quickly?  Brian and Alicia were asking themselves the same question after a seemingly innocent conversation about how to spend their evening turned into a painful argument that left them both feeling hurt and misunderstood. It was Saturday evening and Brian and Alicia wanted to get out of the house and go to dinner. They thought they both understood what was meant by “get out of the house and go to dinner,” but that is where the first misunderstanding happened. While each of them only communicated the desire to have dinner out, Brian thought that meant they would leave their options open. Alicia, on the other hand, had a slightly different idea. She had in mind a restaurant where they could sit...

By: Megan Brewer, IMH Perfectionism costs us more than we realize and takes more energy than we are willing to admit. Many people will wear perfectionism around like a badge or as a description of who they are. They explain their actions or thoughts by saying nonchalantly, “I’m just a perfectionist.” But perfectionism is not an identity. It’s much more a method of survival we have adopted to protect ourselves from the parts of us we feel are inadequate or not enough.  Striving for the impossible standards of perfectionism is like trying to fill a never-ending hole with more and more work and expecting it to one day be filled. Perfectionism is different from a good work ethic or being passionately driven towards a goal. Perfectionism is exhaustive striving, with no personal boundaries, in an attempt to make up what we feel is lacking in ourselves.  Perfectionism robs us of ourselves How aware are you of the moments when an image of your perceived ideal slides in...