Aug 06 2008
You may have seen this inspirational father-son video…it’s worth watching again
Check it out here.
Archive for the 'Inspiration, Education & Personal Growth' Category
Jul 26 2008
What have you lost or been forced to give up lately?
I want to share an inspirational story with you related to girls, athletics, and what’s really important in life.
The story is about two female college softball teams
Jul 01 2008
“Self esteem: A family affair”…A book highly recommended by Sandy Dellutri, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago
Interested in a book that can help you discover what you didn’t receive growing up in your family? My friend Sandy Dellutri, LCSW recommends Self-Esteem: A family affair. Here is what Sandy says about the book:
Jul 01 2008
Escape, by Carolyn Jessop: An inside look at the oppression and abuse of women and children by a religious cult
I am nearly finished reading Escape, by Carolyn Jessop. It is her story of life inside the FLDS religious cult and her eventual escape. I am upset and confused…
Jun 27 2008
“Life in a Jar”: the souls of 2,500 Jewish infants and children
Life in a Jar, was the play a group of young Kansas students wrote to honor Irena Sendlerowa for her humility and courage saving the lives of thousands of Jewish infants and children in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II.
Jun 26 2008
Irena Sendlerowa: Polish social worker nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Irena was a Polish social worker and member of the Polish underground and Zegota, the Polish underground anti-Holocaust resistance. She rescued about 2,500 Jewish infants and children from the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. Pretending to be a nurse entering the ghetto to check for diseases, she would leave with infants in suitcases, in her clothing, under bags or even in coffins…anyway she could to save their lives.
Apr 16 2008
Journaling: Use these structured writing exercises to enhance psychotherapy
Here are some journaling or structured writing exercises to provide a little inspiration or guidance:
- What would you like to see improved about your life right now?
- Describe yourself and your family. Go back as far as you can and describe grandparents, greatgrandparents and other extended family. Draw a genogram or what looks like a family tree to create a picture of your family. For an example of a genogram, look here.
- Who were you closer to growing up, your mother, father, siblings, grandparents, others? Explain why you think you were closer to these family members and not the others.
- What emotional messages did you receive from your parents, family, teachers, others? Pay attention to the feeling of the message. Note that people can say they care about you in words, but the feeling can be very different.
- Create a timeline of significant events in your life. Focus on all events that you can remember, including times when you may have been mistreated, neglected or abused. For an excellent example of a family therapy timeline, go here.
- If you wrote a 3-4 word slogan to describe yourself, what would it be?
- You are stranded on an island, but can bring 10 items and 3 people to be with you. What and who would you bring? Why?
- If you drink or use other drugs, when wasthe first time you drank or used?
- Describe your history of alcohol and other substances. Focus on what role substances play in your life.
- Go here to the Alcohol Assessment website and complete the questionaire.
- What did you learn about yourself and your use of alcohol?
- For another questionaire, go here and complete the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test.
- What old or new information did you learn about your use of alcohol or other substances.
- Describe times when you felt like you may have been mistreated or neglected. Who, what, where and when.
- Draw a line. On either end of the line, write the words really special or unworthy. How do you feel about yourself? Put a mark on the line that describes where you are on the continuum.
- Imagine you can do your life over. What would you change?
- Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years?
- Describe how you would like to die? Who would be there? What would happen?
- What secrets do you keep? Describe the pros and cons of maintaining these secrets.
- Do you feel trapped in your life? Why or why not?
- If you have certain problems to face, do you think you have the power to change things or do you feel powerless?
- In the privacy of your own thoughts or writing, describe your feelings about sexuality and your sexual experiences. Have you ever felt mistreated sexually in any way? Have you ever been the victim of sexual harassment or any other behavior which made you feel uncomfortable?
More later….
Apr 10 2008
Liberation symbols in Curtis Mayfield’s song, People Get Ready
Train to Jordon, baggage, faith, tickets are key words/concepts with deep symbolic meaning in the lyrics of Mayfield’s song, People Get Ready.
Apr 10 2008
People Get Ready, Curtis Mayfield’s 1964 song about racism and liberation theology
People get ready, there’s a train comin’
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’
You don’t need no ticket you just thank the lord
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’
You don’t need no ticket you just thank the lord
People Get Ready
Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions 1964
Apr 02 2008
Sustainability…how long can we last?
How long can this culture and society we have created endure?
Sustainability is a concept we should all study and integrate into our lives. It refers to the ability of human life, relationships, and larger eco-systems to survive over time.
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