The article discusses a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, which looked at family interactions and what is helpful for overweight adolescent members of the family, many of whom suffer from low self esteem and depression. The study found a strong connection between parents discussing dieting and a negative impact on their child's self esteem.

So, should parents do nothing? No. The research found that scheduling regular family meals and providing a pleasant meal-time atmosphere (while refraining from talk of dieting and weight) were correlated to improved self esteem in these adolescents.

As a Life Consultant, I find it helpful to be mindful of the latest research findings without being a slave to "evidence based techniques," because "what works" is not always intuitive. I don't know about you, but I never would have guessed that regular and pleasant meal times are more important than "discussing the issue with your child" in this particular case. Similarly, it's my goal to help my clients to "think out of the box" to find what works for building their happiest lives.  Contact me for more information about how I help my clients to think out of the box.

When many of my clients express a desire to control life situations, I encourage them instead to consider managing the situation. Like an expert skier moving down a mountain, she does not control the mountain or gravity, but, with a little push of the ski here and there, she manages what comes her way to benefit her.  Contact me for more information about how I teach life-management skills, including "managing your manager."

The anecdote describes a contractor who had had a very bad day; he had a flat tire on the way to work, a piece of equipment failed during the job, and his car wouldn't start at the end of the day. His client gave the dejected contractor a ride home. Upon arrival, the contractor asked the client if she'd like to meet his wife, and the client said yes. Before entering the house, the man stopped next to a very small tree, paused, touched several of the branches and then proceeded into the house. Once in the house, the contractor appeared to be a new man: he was light hearted, he hugged his wife and children, and he appeared to have new energy.

Curious, while walking back to her car, the client asked the contractor what he was doing at the tree near the front door before entering his house. The contractor replied, "Oh, that's my Trouble Tree. I hang troubles from the work day onto the branches before I go home, and I promise myself that I can always pick them up again when I leave for work the next day (but I almost never do)."

One of the most challenging parts of my job as a Life Consultant is to help people to reap the emotional and physical health benefits of letting go of the past and engaging in the present moment (as the pop group Crowded House said in one of their songs, "Live each moment free from the last"). Because everyone is unique, I help people to find their own creative and unique ways to participate in this healthy practice. If using the Trouble Tree works for you, Great! If not, together, we'll find another way for you to achieve the same effect.  Contact me  for more information about various ways I've helped people to live each moment free from the last.

The article reviews findings in a study by researchers at Columbia University, which were published recently in the Journal of Positive Psychology. They interviewed 150 non-Jewish adults who had lived in Europe during the Holocaust, and were categorized as either a "rescuer" (someone who helped at least one Jewish person, placing themselves at great personal risk and receiving no reward) or "bystander."

The study found that external or "situational" factors that are most often attributed to heroism were not strongly correlated to rescuing: people's previous experiences with Jewish people, personally witnessing Nazi brutality, being asked directly for help, or demographic factors, such as gender, age, or race. The study found that factors most often categorized as "character traits" were the best predictors of heroic behavior: a strong sense of social responsibility, empathy, risk taking, and "altruistic moral reasoning" (responding with care and compassion in the face of human suffering).

Two points stand out to me in regard to how this article informs my Life Consultation practice. First, the "helping other people" character trait mentioned in this article is also highly correlated with life satisfaction (go figure! help others, and feel better yourself). Second, I help my clients to manage the emotions that come with risk taking: risking giving up the comfortable and familiar lifestyles that result in them feeling "stuck" for discovering new and more satisfying ways of living. Contact me to discuss my techniques for furthering life enhancement and managing the anxiety that goes along with that process.

"A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters. He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him. The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her. Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, 'I'll do absolutely anything you want me to do for $20...But, on one condition.' Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is. The man replies, 'You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words.' The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand. She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly and meaningfully says, 'Clean my house.'"

If you'd like to see a funny review of fashions from 1977 (warning: the write-up includes a mild swear word), then click here. I'd love to give the original blogger credit, but the e-mail did not include a link to his or her blog (feel free to send it to me, if you have it). And, if you've got any other good jokes to share, feel free to contact me .

Enjoy your Turkey Day! (Answer to the question in the title: "One, but the lightbulb must really want to change." Arrr, Arrrhh!)