Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD, Psychology and Culture

In loving relationships, short absences increase appreciation. In loving relationships, short absences increase appreciation. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. A person lacking self-control is like a house broken into and left with open doors. Please check out my website     www.suttong.com    and see my books on    AMAZON        or  GOOGLE STORE Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK     Geoff W. Sutton         TWITTER    @Geoff.W.Sutton     You can read many published articles at no charge:   Academia    Geoff W Sutton      ResearchGate    Geoffrey W Sutton      

  The defining component of a toxic culture is the poison labelled contempt. Psychotherapists know a lot about contempt. It’s the poison that destroys relationships with an almost insurmountable barrier to reconciliation ( See Healthy Marriages ). Contempt can be seen in eye-rolls, sneers, mocking gestures and a litany of criticisms that attract in-kind responses of sarcasm and ultimately cynicism. The whole pattern is dangerous to partners as it not only causes emotional pain but it may also lead to belligerent acts including physical aggression. ( Read more about contempt . ) Contempt is nothing new of course. Contempt is part of human nature. But in recent years, the multifarious sniping where I live in the US has increased to a level that relationships have broken down. It’s not just about the COVID-19 pandemic because the virus of contempt was in the air before COVID-19 joined it. Sadly, I admit that I too fired some toxic shots even as I was trying to fight against...

GRATITUDE Danube, Melk Austria, October 2015 My thoughts... Gratitude is an open-arms warm embrace that says, “I appreciate you so much.” Gratitude is a child jumping up and down when a grandparent visits. Gratitude is an attitude. Gratitude is a river of life. When we express thanks, we feel good and energetic. Grateful people tend to be more optimistic and empathetic. Gratitude is a relationship builder according to psychological scientist, Robert Emmons of U.C. Davis. Emmons notes two dimensions of gratitude :  1. Gratitude is an affirmation of the good things in life such as benefits and gifts.  2. Gratitude is a perspective on the role others have in adding to our life. For spiritual people, “others” include God. As my wife and I walked along the Danube in Melk, Austria, I felt a sense of gratitude-- thankful for life and family. Gratitude Quotes “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good ...