I’ve been away for a while enjoying some quiet time. It’s so refreshing to take a break to just reflect and relax. Know what I mean? During this time, I enjoyed something that I hadn’t consider in a while—meditation.
Our world can keep us busy with the many ways to communicate and connect with others. We become so indulged that we sometimes forget that communicating and connecting with ourselves should be our first priority. Don’t you agree?
Well, I found this website that I really enjoyed. It’s pretty neat. If you have a moment, check it out.
Online meditation experiences
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, December 13, 2009
"Lame" in the New Millennium
So, I'm standing in the cookies and crackers isle at my local grocery store wishing I could identify my tormentor--the person who put the Wheat Thins next to the Oreo cookies!! Not only are the Oreos next to the Wheat Thins, they are ON SALE buy one get one free!! It's a conspiracy, I tell you! But alas, I resisted temptation and purchased just ONE pack of Chips Ahoy! LOL
While I am standing there making this vital decision, two young girls are behind me trying to decide on which soda to buy. I will call them Girl1 and Girl2. As they are standing there, Girl1's cell phone rings, and she talks with someone for a few minutes, but that's not the interesting part. Actually, I wasn't really paying attention until she ended the call.
When she hangs up, she says to Girl2, "that was Brad! He called me to say hi!"
Girl2 says, "whaaaaat??"
I'll pause here.
Now, during my day, just this portion of the conversation would have most likely meant that one of the cutest guys in school had called. Then, my friend and I would have giggled at the excitement of it. NOT the case here! Ok, continuing...
Girl1 says, "yeah he CALLED me! I texted him 'hi! what's up' and he actually CALLED me to say hi!"
Girl2: "OH MY GOD!! You mean he did not TEXT back hi??!"
Girl1: "NO!!!"
Girl2: "oh he is TOO lame!! Don’t talk to him anymore if he couldn't text hi! OH MY GOD!"
Girl1: "oh I'm not! Let me delete 'lame-o's' number right now!"
My first response was a smile as I thought about poor Brad. :-( Then, I thought about the way our world has changed. Social media and all electronic communication have transformed how we define others, our relationships, even ourselves, and success.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project has several articles on teens and social media and other information on the impacts of technology use. See http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/Teens-and-Social-Media.aspx or click the title of this blog.
What are your thoughts or personal stories on this topic?
FYI: "The Pew Internet Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Project studies the social impact of the internet."
While I am standing there making this vital decision, two young girls are behind me trying to decide on which soda to buy. I will call them Girl1 and Girl2. As they are standing there, Girl1's cell phone rings, and she talks with someone for a few minutes, but that's not the interesting part. Actually, I wasn't really paying attention until she ended the call.
When she hangs up, she says to Girl2, "that was Brad! He called me to say hi!"
Girl2 says, "whaaaaat??"
I'll pause here.
Now, during my day, just this portion of the conversation would have most likely meant that one of the cutest guys in school had called. Then, my friend and I would have giggled at the excitement of it. NOT the case here! Ok, continuing...
Girl1 says, "yeah he CALLED me! I texted him 'hi! what's up' and he actually CALLED me to say hi!"
Girl2: "OH MY GOD!! You mean he did not TEXT back hi??!"
Girl1: "NO!!!"
Girl2: "oh he is TOO lame!! Don’t talk to him anymore if he couldn't text hi! OH MY GOD!"
Girl1: "oh I'm not! Let me delete 'lame-o's' number right now!"
My first response was a smile as I thought about poor Brad. :-( Then, I thought about the way our world has changed. Social media and all electronic communication have transformed how we define others, our relationships, even ourselves, and success.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project has several articles on teens and social media and other information on the impacts of technology use. See http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/Teens-and-Social-Media.aspx or click the title of this blog.
What are your thoughts or personal stories on this topic?
FYI: "The Pew Internet Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Project studies the social impact of the internet."
Thursday, September 24, 2009
One Thousand
Over the past few days, I've had conversations about friendship. Nothing planned, but it just happened to come up in conversations. I am thinking about how our definition of friend changes over the years. In kindergarten, it was one thing. By second or third grade, you've been exposed to some of the "cruelties" of this world so your circle of friends shift. Then, you hit middle school. Throughout junior high and high school, your friends constantly change because you don't know who are yet; therefore, your friends for *that* week depend on your mood. :) And yes, the high school stage many times lingers into adulthood, and our life paths' connects us to different people along the way. People who enrich, support, and celebrate who we are! We finally find our fit and we call them friends!
Friendship is a beautiful thing--especially true friendship! It is to be cherished and nurtured! Below is one of my favorite poems about friendship by Rudyard Kipling. If you've found your "thousandth man," you are blessed and fortunate. Or on the other hand, maybe you are some one's "thousandth man"--what a rare treasure!
The Thousandth Man by Rudyard Kipling
One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.
'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for 'ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him.
The rest of the world don't matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.
You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all,
Because you can show him your feelings.
His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men's sight --
With that for your only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide
The shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallows-foot -- and after!
Friendship is a beautiful thing--especially true friendship! It is to be cherished and nurtured! Below is one of my favorite poems about friendship by Rudyard Kipling. If you've found your "thousandth man," you are blessed and fortunate. Or on the other hand, maybe you are some one's "thousandth man"--what a rare treasure!
The Thousandth Man by Rudyard Kipling
One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.
'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for 'ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him.
The rest of the world don't matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.
You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all,
Because you can show him your feelings.
His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men's sight --
With that for your only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide
The shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallows-foot -- and after!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Stressed? Who me???
Everyday, we see more and more the detrimental effects of stress, especially when it comes to illness and disease.
I heard someone on television say that stress consumed her and effected her health because she had the wrong definition of stress. She thought stress meant that she was not able to handle life, so she took on many tasks to prove that she was NOT stressed. Totally wrong way to go, right?
After, twenty years she realized what she had done to her body and how she had damaged many personal and professional relationships.
Let's talk..How do you define stress? What are you doing to take care of your body, mind and spirit?
For more information on stress, visit the American Institute of Stress at http://www.stress.org
I heard someone on television say that stress consumed her and effected her health because she had the wrong definition of stress. She thought stress meant that she was not able to handle life, so she took on many tasks to prove that she was NOT stressed. Totally wrong way to go, right?
After, twenty years she realized what she had done to her body and how she had damaged many personal and professional relationships.
Let's talk..How do you define stress? What are you doing to take care of your body, mind and spirit?
For more information on stress, visit the American Institute of Stress at http://www.stress.org
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Anger--It's Natural!
That's right! Anger is a natural human emotion. It becomes a problem when we cannot control our behavior, and it becomes destructive. One of the first things that I share with my clients is to no longer say he/she/you/it MADE me angry. Using the word "made" immediately gives power to something or someone other than you.
Therefore, you "stay" angry while waiting on the person or situation to change. Admit it--sometimes you are angry with someone, and they have no idea that anything is wrong. So, your anger lasts longer, because you have not communicated your feelings and you still use the word "made." Remember you always have control of how you respond to people and events in your life.
Instead, use "I" statements to put the control back in your hands and to better identify your triggers. Using "I" statements also creates a more welcoming space for open communication.
For example, here are two statements a wife may make to her husband:
1.) You make me so angry when I have to come home and things are not done!
2.) I get angry when I come home and see that you have not finished any of the household chores.
Do you see any difference in the two statements? If so, what are they?
Also, feel free to share any additional thoughts that you have about anger.
Therefore, you "stay" angry while waiting on the person or situation to change. Admit it--sometimes you are angry with someone, and they have no idea that anything is wrong. So, your anger lasts longer, because you have not communicated your feelings and you still use the word "made." Remember you always have control of how you respond to people and events in your life.
Instead, use "I" statements to put the control back in your hands and to better identify your triggers. Using "I" statements also creates a more welcoming space for open communication.
For example, here are two statements a wife may make to her husband:
1.) You make me so angry when I have to come home and things are not done!
2.) I get angry when I come home and see that you have not finished any of the household chores.
Do you see any difference in the two statements? If so, what are they?
Also, feel free to share any additional thoughts that you have about anger.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Spirituality and Counseling
In the helping profession of counseling, I believe it to be beneficial to consider the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of a person to reach meaningful solutions.
As Gerald Corey (2006) points out in his article, "Integrating Spirituality in Counseling Practice," the spiritual life of a person is most often not considered in the therapeutic process. He finds this to be a detriment, because solutions to presenting issues may be found in a person's spiritual or religious values and beliefs. He notes that the psychology world is taking notice of spirituality's role in the counseling process; however, he still emphasizes that the profession recognizes it as a critical and valuable source for clients.
In this article, Corey also shares insights from three prominent figures in spirituality and religion: Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Rabbi Harold Kushner. He uses their contributions to emphasize the importance of spirituality in daily life which is provided for additional evidence for why spirituality should be integrated into counseling.
The article is concluded with a suggested reading list and a list of questions that we as the readers should ask ourselves about our own spiritual lives.
The complete article can be found on the link below:
http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas06/vistas06.25.pdf
You may click on the title of this post for more research on spirituality and counseling.
As Gerald Corey (2006) points out in his article, "Integrating Spirituality in Counseling Practice," the spiritual life of a person is most often not considered in the therapeutic process. He finds this to be a detriment, because solutions to presenting issues may be found in a person's spiritual or religious values and beliefs. He notes that the psychology world is taking notice of spirituality's role in the counseling process; however, he still emphasizes that the profession recognizes it as a critical and valuable source for clients.
In this article, Corey also shares insights from three prominent figures in spirituality and religion: Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Rabbi Harold Kushner. He uses their contributions to emphasize the importance of spirituality in daily life which is provided for additional evidence for why spirituality should be integrated into counseling.
The article is concluded with a suggested reading list and a list of questions that we as the readers should ask ourselves about our own spiritual lives.
The complete article can be found on the link below:
http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas06/vistas06.25.pdf
You may click on the title of this post for more research on spirituality and counseling.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Polite Counseling, LLC
Sunday begins a new week. It is also the day that I begin a new venture--online counseling. I have researched this area for years, and in a couple of weeks, I will have the chance to learn more from an international expert. I am looking forward to providing a service that can potentially help so many who have previously experienced a "gap" in quality counseling services. You may click on this blog title to go to my website to learn more about my professional experience and the world of online counseling.. So, with humility and dedication, I embark on this journey...
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