This is the third installment of the series excerpting “Ending Manipulation.” Previously, we introduced you to manipulation and talked about what manipulation is and is not. It is not a mental illness, but a pattern of interaction between people. Now we’ll talk more about how that pattern gets started and its purpose, which will lend …
The first few years of my life, parents were predominantly absent. My sister became both my “mother” and my taskmaster. To achieve anything then, I had to make a lot of effort. Everything I did involved obeying and keeping up with someone two years older. When talking ages two and four, that’s a big, challenging …
Previously, we introduced you to manipulation, sharing how everyone is born manipulative, how my journey to understand manipulation began (me discovering my own manipulation, of which I had been totally unaware), and the discovery of The First Law of Manipulation, “It takes one to know one.” This month, we look closer at manipulation to get …
Ending Manipulation: Manipulation is Not a Mental Illness Read More »
What is manipulation? Everybody manipulates, right? I always thought “Not me!” Then I discovered how I had been manipulating my young husband, starting my hunt to understand and stop manipulation. My latest book is focused on Ending Manipulation, sharing what I’ve learned. Here, I share excerpts. I want to hear your stories about manipulation, so …
Years ago, I took an intensive family therapy course, which involved me (the learning family therapist) being observed through a two-way mirror, while simultaneously being a therapist for a family and receiving verbal input through an earbud. Communication was, of course, a big issue for family therapists, who needed to communicate clearly themselves and also …
Over 30 years ago, Dr. Shad Helmstetter published his book, “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself.” Since then, people everywhere have become aware of “self-talk,” which describes the process in which we all engage, of having an internal dialogue with ourselves regarding what is happening in our lives. Usually, and unless we become …
“Depression Peach Cobbler” is what she called it. She made and delivered it to a dozen neighbors all up and down the street after four months of pandemic sheltering. It was one of my 14-year-old granddaughter’s acts of random kindness during the summer of 2020. It actually was a depression era recipe my granddaughter and …
Can the universe help you avoid mistakes? Part 3 of a 3-part series by Ilene Dillon. Late joining this series? Catch up on Part 1 and Part 2! A friend of mine, Deki, lost her very good friend to cancer in November. Deki is the kind of friend who comes to your home, helps you face …
Welcome to the 26 days of Happiness series! Today is day 3! Please meet featured author, Ilene Dillon, from the soon to be released book: The Wellness Universe Guide to Complete Self-Care, 25 Tools for Happiness, which will be released on February 11th! YOU are an energy being! Everything in creation is energy, even though …
How Resisting Your Emotions Limits Your Happiness Read More »
Allowing the Universe to Give to Us. Part 2 of a 3-part series by Ilene Dillon. Late joining this series? Catch up on Part 1! I’ve noticed a curious thing about people. For a person to allow something, such as a compliment, to come into them, they must have a “home” for it. If you …
