*********Trigger alert********** The contents of this post may be triggering or disturbing for some readers. Proceed with caution. Today at school I challenged students to face their why. They are writing about their career choices and I am asking them to tell why. Why do you want to do this career? What is your…
Counseling taught me many things. However, one basic rule needed to be followed. Rule #1 Stop lying, especially to yourself. That’s it. Stop it. My teenagers brought me up short and started my truth campaign before counseling. They asked me why I lied all the time. I of course denied the allegation. I asked them…
It is easy to blame Christmas for the stress, frustration, melt downs, depression and other negativity around the season. However, if you look at it from the perspective that December 25 is a day like any other day it starts to become clear that it is not the day itself; our own expectations of the…
This works for anyone in any situation Keep It Simple Sweety. (The original used the word Stupid.) The it being any activity or job. I possess a talent for making my life more complicated. One of the advantages of an art degree is required art history classes that give you a new perspective. Minimalist…
One thing I learned from reading other people’s blogs is the problem of deciding, “Who’s responsibility is it?” Many people that feel overwhelmed and exhausted often take on the responsibilities of others. From an early age, I was taught to care for my mother instead of expecting my mother to care for me. I took…
Do you want to ________? No. Will you _____________? No. You have to __________? No. My counselor struggled to get me to recognize I have choices. I kept saying, “I have to – “, “They make me -“, I truly believed I didn’t have a choice. He tried and tried to get me to see…
The holidays are in full swing, so are triggers, anxiety, and depression. I also love the Christmas lights the excitement and fun. The bustle, rushing and extreme expectations not so much. I decided that for the month of December I am posting tips and ideas for coping with high stresses of holiday festivities. Last month…
Markers indicating progress. In years gone by and along the freeways today, markers in one form or another are placed along the roadways to indicate how far you have come. In the Early Childhood Education class we discuss childhood milestones that people watch for as the child grows. If a baby walks by the time…
I started working at a university art department before I had cancer. I took a drawing class that semester. I was given special permission to miss more than 3 days of class. Thankfully a fellow student was willing to come to my house and tell me what was happening in class. However, I didn’t take…
If you ran a marathon, you would rest after a big race. Thanksgiving and other holidays are emotional equivalents of marathons. Plan down time. Evaluate the positive as well as any negative. Gratitude for what is makes all the difference. Blessings more numerous than butterflies.
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 