Humans have become more and more separated from other animals, physically and cognitively. Studies of animal behavior remind us just how similar humans and other species can be...
How Alike are Humans and Other Animals? You Might Be Surprised!
Chris Elle Dove
Chris Elle Dove is the author of Gabby Makes a Friend, and the upcoming picture book, Sadie's Sea Turtle. She's been teaching sociology courses at community colleges since 2005. Her hobbies include meditation, cooking, hiking, and running. Chris is the proud mother of two beautiful, adult children and one German Shepherd.
Following Sexual Assault: Aftermath, Response, Resources
Being sexually assaulted can have a long-term, lasting physical and emotional impact. The degree to which someone feels comfortable sharing what happened to them with their loved ones [and supported when they do] can affect healing and recovery in a myriad of ways. One of the best ways to support survivors is to become aware of common physical and emotional responses to traumatic events and where to find advocacy and other resources.
Types of Stalkers: Typologies Based on Behavior, Relationship, and Intent
What we've learned, from the research that's been conducted, is that perpetrators who've had an intimate relationship with the targeted person pose the greatest risk. Regardless of the context and circumstances, stalking should be taken seriously and seen as a warning sign of increased trouble and potential of harm ahead.
Defining Sexual Assault: Debunking Myths, Adding Context
Sexual activity with someone who hasn’t, is unable to, or can’t legally consent is sexual assault.
Increase Your Emotional Awareness through Meditation
Knowing what we are feeling, sooner rather than later, also reduces the likelihood of responding in ways we later regret. We are able to remain calm, to pause and reflect on our choices, rather than having emotional outbursts. Understanding what stage, or wave, of an emotion we are experiencing is also valuable. If we are just beginning to feel an emotion, a few deep breaths may allow us to sit with it, without feeling overwhelmed. If we are in the later stages, and the waves of emotion are crashing in. We may need to take a walk, run, or cry.
Cultivating Your Personal Strengths
Those who embrace their personal strengths often feel more satisfied and content with who they are and their circumstances. Perhaps most importantly, belief in ourselves, and our abilities, is fundamentally necessary to reaching all other goals.
Workout Your Willpower to Achieve Your Goals
We have more willpower available to us when we are motivated and determined. We are more committed when what we're striving for is tied to our ideal identity, who we would like our future self to be. It's important to ask whether our goals are actually ours. At times, we get caught up in what we feel we "should" want, or what others want for us.
Year in Review: Here Are a Few of My Favorites from 2020
Deciding how to end this very unusual year, on my website, wasn't easy. In hopes of starting an annual tradition, I created a "Year in Review" article. Looking back, I've tried many new things this year: fabulous, good, bad, and ugly... This post highlights the best of the best, those that were the most useful, user friendly, tasty, or enjoyable. Enough so that they earned a spot among my all-time favorites. Some were stumbled upon, others gifted, and a few were purchased, based on recommendations or reviews.
The Victims of Violent Death Memorial Quilt Artistically Portrays a Tragedy
The Durham Homicide and Victims of Violent Death Memorial Quilt was created as a way to raise awareness about the impact of gun violence in Durham, North Carolina. It was started in protest after Shaquanna Attwater, a 2-year-old, was shot and killed in 1994.
Bereavement Rituals: Two Stories of Grief and Remembrance
We'll all experience loss during our lives. People process grief in their own ways, in their own time. One person may light a candle or release rose pedals downstream. Another might eat a loved one's favorite food, sing their favorite song, or engage in their favorite activity.
Become a Better Writer Using These Resources
Setting a small amount of time aside to learn and apply that new knowledge can lead to tremendous change over time. Our schedules, like our budgets, are a reflection of our priorities. I set aside an hour or more a day to read, listen, or watch something that I feel will help me become a better writer. Looking back at the year, there are a few resources that really stand out. They were extremely valuable to the progress I've made.
50K Words Later: NaNoWriMo Lessons & Takeaways
One cannot survive on writing alone but in November, we try... National Novel Writing Month [NaNoWriMo] asks authors to commit to completing 50K words [the first draft of a novel] in a single month. I wanted to share what helped me get through it, where I plan to do things differently the next go around, and one crucial question that I was left pondering as the month’s end drew near.