AP 039: Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife || Approval Seeking vs. True Goodness, How to Do Things for the Right Reasons

"Many of us resist developing ourselves into our own unique expressions of Godliness, of humanity, because we fear the exposure, and the risk, and the potential invalidation that comes through doing that . . . If that is the only paradigm we operate in, we limit our ability to really develop into beings capable of offering goodness in the world, and creating a better world through our own capacity."

 

What is "goodness?"  How do we develop it when faced with real and imagined pressures? 

 

Today, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife answers these questions by fleshing out the term "goodness" that often comes up in her teachings.  Jennifer teaches us how to discover what it is we truly want and feel we "should" do with our lives and then how to better own our choices, especially when we are often only faced with difficult ones.  

 

Jennifer also offers how to live up to the core desires we have, more fully cultivate our gifts, and how to in turn better tolerate the internal and external push-back we might experience as we develop true goodness within ourselves and our lives. 

 

 

Like her past episode on About Progress, this interview is one worth listening to several times to fully glean Jennifer's wisdom.  There are many ways to apply this discussion to parenthood, marriage, "control freaks," "victims," and those who live their lives based on others' approval.

 

More on Jennifer:

Jennifer Finlayson-Fife grew up in Burlington, Vermont as one of eight children.  She studied Psychology and Women's Studies at Brigham Young University, and went on to receive her Masters and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College.  She has a private practice  in Chicago, IL where she works primarily with LDS couples on relational and sexual issues. She is a frequent guest on LDS-themed podcasts, and has written articles for LDS-themed magazines and blogs on the subjects of sexuality and modesty as well as mental health and faith.  She is married to John Finlayson-Fife and has three wonderful children.

Show Notes:

Jennifer's website and upcoming workshops

Video she recommended, "How to know you life's purpose in 5 minutes"

Jennifer's past interview on perfectionism

SURVEY!

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More Podcast episodes from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas