Jerry, often described as toxic, is a co-worker whom you try to avoid as much as possible. You know, that person who seems to be completely unaware of the chaos and negativity he or she brings to relationships. Toxic people thrive on pushing your buttons and seem to be involved in drama all the time. Most…

As we talked, I wondered, has Diane been taken captive? All through the dinner, Diane spoke with great enthusiasm about her job. It was her identity, the thing she worked for all her life, the pinnacle of her career–she reached it, but something felt empty. She waited for this day, a big promotion, huge salary with…

Two employees worked for a small town in New Hampshire for a total of 46 years between them. They heard and spread a rumor about an improper relationship between a town administrator and another employee. The story turned out to be false and the administrator complained. The town council investigated the administrator’s complaint and fired…

You were not meant to be alone. Your physical and emotional states function best when you are in healthy connections with others. So what happens when a person lives in isolation? Isolation often brings anxiety based in the fear that you are on your own and there is no one to help you. And in some ways, our…

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More from Beliefnet and our partners