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Heartstrings

Thought-provoking stories about connection.

Anger
How I Learned to Talk Across the Political Divide

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on June 14, 2024

Personal Perspective: Talking to someone with opposing political views feels risky, but it's not impossible. Stick to two simple rules, and the benefit can be worth the effort.

Personal Perspective: Talking to someone with opposing political views feels risky, but it's not impossible. Stick to two simple rules, and the benefit can be worth the effort.

Friends
Two Things I Learned About Giving a Friend Unwanted Advice

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on February 7, 2024

Personal Perspective: Friendships can be tricky. You want your friend's happiness and can see what is standing in their way. Do you share the uncomfortable truth or not?

Personal Perspective: Friendships can be tricky. You want your friend's happiness and can see what is standing in their way. Do you share the uncomfortable truth or not?

Motivation
How I Got Myself to Exercise

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on October 16, 2023

Personal Perspective: Rather than try to change yourself using willpower, find a solution that fits your psychological makeup.

Personal Perspective: Rather than try to change yourself using willpower, find a solution that fits your psychological makeup.

Animal Behavior
Why Do We Grieve Losing a Pet So Deeply?

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on November 17, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Were you astonished to find just how grief-stricken you were when your pet died? Your response to the loss may teach you a lot about yourself.

A Personal Perspective: Were you astonished to find just how grief-stricken you were when your pet died? Your response to the loss may teach you a lot about yourself.

Environment
How Getting Hacked Renewed My Faith in Human Nature

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on March 24, 2022

In response to a hacking scam sent out in my name, I received an outpouring of concern, including from people I barely knew. What could it mean? I have an idea.

In response to a hacking scam sent out in my name, I received an outpouring of concern, including from people I barely knew. What could it mean? I have an idea.

Diet
An Easier Way to Lose Weight: A Personal Story

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on January 30, 2022

A specific diet radically different from what we usually eat is impossible to sustain. But cutting calories by modifying our current dietary patterns can become a lifelong habit.

A specific diet radically different from what we usually eat is impossible to sustain. But cutting calories by modifying our current dietary patterns can become a lifelong habit.

Diet
Did Your Weight-Loss Resolution Fail? Here's an Easier Way

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on January 17, 2022

If you can give up the wish for a quick fix, there is a way to lose weight that is not a miserable slog—like dieting—and gets progressively easier to maintain.

If you can give up the wish for a quick fix, there is a way to lose weight that is not a miserable slog—like dieting—and gets progressively easier to maintain.

Forgiveness
The Beauty Trap: Was It Our Mothers' Fault?

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on September 15, 2021

Why do some mothers make their daughters feel they aren't pretty enough? And why are women so often judged by their looks and made to feel inadequate?

Why do some mothers make their daughters feel they aren't pretty enough? And why are women so often judged by their looks and made to feel inadequate?

Guilt
The Underground Railroad: Why Is This Story So Gripping Today?

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on June 24, 2021

Books, exhibits, and the TV series on The Underground Railroad, help us imagine the terror of people trying to escape slavery. What is behind our drive to empathize with past victims?

Books, exhibits, and the TV series on The Underground Railroad, help us imagine the terror of people trying to escape slavery. What is behind our drive to empathize with past victims?

Sleep
Millennials vs. Boomers on the Care of Newborns

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on June 7, 2021

Many grandparents wanting to help with the new baby find themselves in an alien world: new technologies, new philosophies, new rules. It can be harder than you expect.

Many grandparents wanting to help with the new baby find themselves in an alien world: new technologies, new philosophies, new rules. It can be harder than you expect.

Fear
A Magical Cure for Writer's Block: A True Story

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on May 4, 2021

Writer's block comes from one of a variety of anxieties—fear of humiliation, fear of failure—but the exact source for each of us is personal. Digging deep can help to unlock it.

Writer's block comes from one of a variety of anxieties—fear of humiliation, fear of failure—but the exact source for each of us is personal. Digging deep can help to unlock it.

Trauma
When Childhood Trauma Won't Let Go

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on April 23, 2021

Do you have a particularly strong distaste for something that you've never wondered about? There's bound to be an emotionally rich story behind it that is worth uncovering.

Do you have a particularly strong distaste for something that you've never wondered about? There's bound to be an emotionally rich story behind it that is worth uncovering.

Relationships
Love at First Sight: My Side of the Story

Elizabeth Roper Marcus on April 15, 2021

First love is rare, but it is real. Believe me, I have reason to know. But how I came to fall in love with my husband so quickly is a puzzle I have only just figured out.

First love is rare, but it is real. Believe me, I have reason to know. But how I came to fall in love with my husband so quickly is a puzzle I have only just figured out.