A PSYCHIATRIST’S ADVICE ON HOW TO BE HEALTHY, HAPPY & WISE ON MOTHER’S DAY by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination

My advice is one of those simple clichés that takes a lifetime to learn and probably on our deathbed we’ll still be in the process of trying to do it right.

BE AUTHENTIC.

It’s that simple and that complicated. Often we know what we feel and think, but rather than respond authentically we ignore our feelings and act with proper political correctness. Okay, let’s think about mothers, since tomorrow is their day. Most of us have issues with the person that gave us life, but how many of us actually sit down and tell her what we’re really thinking?

“It’ll just cause a fight. She’ll never understand. I’ll hurt her feelings. It isn’t worth it.”

And maybe all those reasons are true. But, what is the result of holding back the truth and being a phony? The result is that you both survive whatever experience you’re having, but neither of you feels fulfilled or appreciated. Taking a risk and being a real person can of course work both ways. It can lead to much more fulfillment; or on the other hand a really bad experience.

One thing that is almost always true is that if you at least risk being authentic, you’ll feel a lot better about yourself. For the rest of your life, you’ll know that you at least tried. Not carrying the burden of holding in all those negative feelings can help you be healthier and happier.

Also, being an honest observer of the human condition can actually lead to wisdom, whether it’s with your mother, your friends, your spouse or fellow workers.

One more thing! Pick your battles carefully and be tactful.

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Published by artsmuklermd

Art Smukler, MD was born and raised in Philadelphia, went to college and medical school in Pennsylvania, and completed his psychiatric training at UCLA. He is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in the treatment of adults with a subspecialty in adolescents. As a member of the UCLA faculty, he ran an award-winning psychotherapy conference for psychiatric residents and received the coveted “Golden Ear” award. He has published in psychiatric journals, and won the award for excellence in creative writing at The Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Now a full-time author, he applies his deep understanding of the human psyche to the motivations of his fictional characters.

7 thoughts on “A PSYCHIATRIST’S ADVICE ON HOW TO BE HEALTHY, HAPPY & WISE ON MOTHER’S DAY by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist”

  1. I agree with you that authenticity is the best policy. But on mother’s day, which is an ideal of motherhood, is probably not the time to confront grievances. I think the idealism of that day trumps any needed authenticity. It is important to pick the place and time to be authentic and used degrees of diplomacy depending relative to the person and subject. However, AUTHENTICITY is the ultimate objective. Bernie

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