Are new age beliefs such as cultivating an attitude of abundance and concrete activism mutually exclusive? Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi suggest that having both makes the most effective change-maker.
My hometown of Athens, Georgia sure could use some abundance, right now. I remember coming across this article about Athens' poverty rate during my final year at Naropa University and getting all fired up. If I was going to become a helper, I wanted to become a helper in my home community.
I was lucky enough to obtain a position at The Banyan Tree Center, where I am happy to report that I love what I do. And, I'm still aware of my desire to get involved in larger community building efforts. So, my eyes and ears are open to who is already having a positive impact and how I might lend a hand.
Gandhi said, "poverty is the cruelest form of violence;" we can change this.
Here are some folks who are already doing big things:
Community Connection
Project Safe
The Cottage
Athens Health Network
How can we be the change we wish to see in the world?
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Sometimes It's Good to Tune Out
With so many rapidly changing headlines, images, and soundbites and so many instantaneous ways to access them- from Facebook, to Twitter, to Tumbler- you name it!- it can feel impossibly hard to stay caught up! To say nothing of the dishes, pet hair, and/or bills that may or may not be piling up...
And, it's good to be able to follow the news! We're here to change things for the better and communicate with each other. But, with more outlets than ever before to stay abreast of the latest and greatest, what are we to do when part of us feels compelled to read as many articles as possible, regardless of the tension in our bodies? Well, remembering to breathe is always a good start!
What comes next is whatever works for you. To stay sane, we must make a habit of continually checking in with our bodies and minds to maintain, restore, or find balance in our busy lives. It used to be as easy as locking the door and unplugging the telephone. Nowadays, it can feel a little harder to take a moment for ourselves.
Or, is it? How can we make this global culture we are citizens of work for us instead of feeling overwhelming? We can pick and choose what and when we pay attention to the news. When we're tense and nervous, triggered and tired, it may be a good time for a comedy- or unplugging from the media! When we're feeling unmotivated, maybe tuning into a free online guided meditation would be useful.
With the world at our fingertips, it is perhaps more important than ever to be thoughtful about what we give our attention. The beauty of being human is that we are capable of caring deeply- but our very nature also requires that we take a breather every now and again to maintain optimal health. I'm suggesting it's beneficial to let the news pass us by sometimes! It will still be there when we return.
And, it's good to be able to follow the news! We're here to change things for the better and communicate with each other. But, with more outlets than ever before to stay abreast of the latest and greatest, what are we to do when part of us feels compelled to read as many articles as possible, regardless of the tension in our bodies? Well, remembering to breathe is always a good start!
What comes next is whatever works for you. To stay sane, we must make a habit of continually checking in with our bodies and minds to maintain, restore, or find balance in our busy lives. It used to be as easy as locking the door and unplugging the telephone. Nowadays, it can feel a little harder to take a moment for ourselves.
Or, is it? How can we make this global culture we are citizens of work for us instead of feeling overwhelming? We can pick and choose what and when we pay attention to the news. When we're tense and nervous, triggered and tired, it may be a good time for a comedy- or unplugging from the media! When we're feeling unmotivated, maybe tuning into a free online guided meditation would be useful.
With the world at our fingertips, it is perhaps more important than ever to be thoughtful about what we give our attention. The beauty of being human is that we are capable of caring deeply- but our very nature also requires that we take a breather every now and again to maintain optimal health. I'm suggesting it's beneficial to let the news pass us by sometimes! It will still be there when we return.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Soothing Back to School Jitters
You know that nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach before the first day of school? Does that anxiety ever go away? Not according to the students, teachers, and parents I know. What about the anxious dreams about showing up unprepared- and being trapped to endure our out-of-control fate? There's something about back-to-school that's exciting, nerve-racking, and new- every time.
What if we approached each day with the same nervousness? Whew! It'd be nerve-racking. Thankfully, there seems to be a time limit on how long we can experience full-fledged anxiety. When we feel highly overwhelmed and helpless, we go into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Our survival kicks in. Energy is diverted from our "unnecessary" systems, such as digestion, as we prepare to move quickly!
The same is true when we relax. Our body's feedback loop moves both ways. Try this. Take a deep intentional breath in, breathing in for three to five counts, fully expanding your chest and belly, pausing naturally at the top of the in-breath, and exhaling, slowly and fully. Feel your body and the world of sensation occurring there in this very moment. Gently and easily scan your body from head to toe.
Simply shifting gears by taking deep breathes and turning our attention towards our bodies, where we can begin to notice and release any tension stored there, sends a message to our mind that all is well. We're safe, now. Everything's fine and our energy is free to flow naturally. We don't know what the next moment will bring but our lives unfold moment by moment so feeling safe now is everything.
Trying to relax is a hard thing to do! We can't force it but we can relax naturally when we practice taking deep breaths and giving compassionate attention to ourselves- releasing our innate healing abilities. So, go ahead, take a deep breath- whether or not you've got your homework done! It can only free up energy, making you better able to respond to whatever comes up next...
Happy back to school! May we make all A's in the school of life!
What if we approached each day with the same nervousness? Whew! It'd be nerve-racking. Thankfully, there seems to be a time limit on how long we can experience full-fledged anxiety. When we feel highly overwhelmed and helpless, we go into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Our survival kicks in. Energy is diverted from our "unnecessary" systems, such as digestion, as we prepare to move quickly!
The same is true when we relax. Our body's feedback loop moves both ways. Try this. Take a deep intentional breath in, breathing in for three to five counts, fully expanding your chest and belly, pausing naturally at the top of the in-breath, and exhaling, slowly and fully. Feel your body and the world of sensation occurring there in this very moment. Gently and easily scan your body from head to toe.
Simply shifting gears by taking deep breathes and turning our attention towards our bodies, where we can begin to notice and release any tension stored there, sends a message to our mind that all is well. We're safe, now. Everything's fine and our energy is free to flow naturally. We don't know what the next moment will bring but our lives unfold moment by moment so feeling safe now is everything.
Trying to relax is a hard thing to do! We can't force it but we can relax naturally when we practice taking deep breaths and giving compassionate attention to ourselves- releasing our innate healing abilities. So, go ahead, take a deep breath- whether or not you've got your homework done! It can only free up energy, making you better able to respond to whatever comes up next...
Happy back to school! May we make all A's in the school of life!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Changing Skies Ahead
There is is flash flood warning for our area of Georgia tonight. There was a severe storm warning last night. And, there have been countless other warnings before that. It seems to rain and storm every day here, lately, with rainfall in the multiple inches some days.
The doors of our house are swollen shut, making it difficult to open and close them. The garden is soggy. Our roads are flooded in places. The list goes on. What do you think of this weather? Does it seem unusual to you? How is all of this rain affecting your life?
All of these gray and stormy afternoons get me to thinking about how we're all connected with Mother Nature and each other. No one lives in complete isolation. We're each part of something bigger, even when we're alone. No one knows what the next season will bring but climate change sure seems to be happening. So, what does this mean for us? We have to take note and adjust accordingly to survive severe weather- internally or externally.
When things feel out of whack, when our sense of balance is thrown off- either by storms or sobbing- we tend to go into survival or fix it mode quickly and naturally. The unknown is uncomfortable for us creatures of habit! But, significant distress doesn't have to signal disaster. Instead, it can signal our need to shift things for the better. Easier sad than done.
One thing that helps is to have an anchor or regulating resource for when the going gets tough. If you're not sure what calms you down, remember, you are the only one who can find that out. Be encouraged by this fact. By experimenting with different ways to self-sooth, you will truly be the expert of your own life and able to practice what works!
I hope that we find ways to stay afloat amongst this changing climate together. Change will keep coming. Let's breathe deep, get creative, and get through this together. You can start by discovering what helps keep you sane. One small change can have a big impact.
The doors of our house are swollen shut, making it difficult to open and close them. The garden is soggy. Our roads are flooded in places. The list goes on. What do you think of this weather? Does it seem unusual to you? How is all of this rain affecting your life?
All of these gray and stormy afternoons get me to thinking about how we're all connected with Mother Nature and each other. No one lives in complete isolation. We're each part of something bigger, even when we're alone. No one knows what the next season will bring but climate change sure seems to be happening. So, what does this mean for us? We have to take note and adjust accordingly to survive severe weather- internally or externally.
When things feel out of whack, when our sense of balance is thrown off- either by storms or sobbing- we tend to go into survival or fix it mode quickly and naturally. The unknown is uncomfortable for us creatures of habit! But, significant distress doesn't have to signal disaster. Instead, it can signal our need to shift things for the better. Easier sad than done.
One thing that helps is to have an anchor or regulating resource for when the going gets tough. If you're not sure what calms you down, remember, you are the only one who can find that out. Be encouraged by this fact. By experimenting with different ways to self-sooth, you will truly be the expert of your own life and able to practice what works!
I hope that we find ways to stay afloat amongst this changing climate together. Change will keep coming. Let's breathe deep, get creative, and get through this together. You can start by discovering what helps keep you sane. One small change can have a big impact.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Are You A Feminist?
Ah, the dreaded question. The word conjures up negative connotations. And, let's face it, it sounds harsh. But, feminist is not a dirty word or a bad thing. Unless you want to turn back the hands of time, caring about women and other people who are oppressed is the way to go.
Today's feminism is all about empowerment- and not just of women but of all disenfranchised folks. Ending violence against women continues to be a central theme- and also an understanding of the interconnectivity of all oppressions, in which the so-called isms (ie classism, heterosexism, racism) combine to make some of us more vulnerable to oppression than others.
Why care about women and other people who are marginalized? I tend to think we are all important and equally worthy of being in the world just as we are, without the threat of violence.
According to a report hot off the presses from the World Health Organization, more than one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual abuse. The report goes on to suggest why: "The authors describe a number of factors that likely contribute to high levels of violence against women, including economic factors, social norms that support male dominance over women, cultural acceptance of violence against women, and gender inequality in access to wages and education." Interconnectivity of oppressions.
Why am I writing about this? Contemporary feminism is a wellness based do-it-yourself approach to happiness. As far as counseling goes, an empowering approach is key- regardless of what you call it! You are the expert of your own life and you'll know if it's helping.
Here are a few fun and empowering reads in case you're hungry for more (and my apologies for the formatting errors- blogger seems to be acting up):
→ This e-book is free to download (at the moment)!
Today's feminism is all about empowerment- and not just of women but of all disenfranchised folks. Ending violence against women continues to be a central theme- and also an understanding of the interconnectivity of all oppressions, in which the so-called isms (ie classism, heterosexism, racism) combine to make some of us more vulnerable to oppression than others.
Why care about women and other people who are marginalized? I tend to think we are all important and equally worthy of being in the world just as we are, without the threat of violence.
According to a report hot off the presses from the World Health Organization, more than one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual abuse. The report goes on to suggest why: "The authors describe a number of factors that likely contribute to high levels of violence against women, including economic factors, social norms that support male dominance over women, cultural acceptance of violence against women, and gender inequality in access to wages and education." Interconnectivity of oppressions.
Why am I writing about this? Contemporary feminism is a wellness based do-it-yourself approach to happiness. As far as counseling goes, an empowering approach is key- regardless of what you call it! You are the expert of your own life and you'll know if it's helping.
Here are a few fun and empowering reads in case you're hungry for more (and my apologies for the formatting errors- blogger seems to be acting up):
Deal with It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain, and Life as a gURL
By Esther Drill, Rebecca Odes, and Heather McDonald
→ A better way to learn about the birds and the bees.
Cunt: A Declaration of Independence
By Inga Muscio
→ Candid, funny, and fresh views on traditional feminist issues.
Cunt: A Declaration of Independence
By Inga Muscio
→ Candid, funny, and fresh views on traditional feminist issues.
By the Boston Women’s Health Collective
→ Classic text from the second wave of the women’s movement- all about women’s health.
Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters
By Jessica Valenti
→ Making feminism cool, again.
→ “With an attitude that is fierce, funny, and proud to be female... BUSTing stereotypes about women since 1993.”
→ This e-book is free to download (at the moment)!
Whatever you do, have fun!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Governing States
We all want to be happy but suffering is inevitable- especially when you live in a less than compassionate state. I'm talking about both our mental/emotional states and the governmental states in which we live- both have real effects on our health and happiness!
We saw some big decisions come out of the Supreme Court, this week. With DOMA and section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act being overturned, power was given back to the states in determining what constitutes legal marriage and fair voting practices.
Can you be happy and fulfilled in a state that doesn't grant you equal rights? The threat of violence and discrimination is a serious detriment to our bodies and minds but we have seen that we are resilient- even in the most challenging circumstances.
The first step to creating lasting positive change is noticing that we're unhappy- that what we're doing isn't working. Then we can choose to respond differently.
It will be a great day when we truly use our resources for the safety, happiness, and health of us all. Until then, we deserve our own compassion as we work towards progress- precisely because we're not there yet! Be well and be easy on yourself.
We saw some big decisions come out of the Supreme Court, this week. With DOMA and section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act being overturned, power was given back to the states in determining what constitutes legal marriage and fair voting practices.
Can you be happy and fulfilled in a state that doesn't grant you equal rights? The threat of violence and discrimination is a serious detriment to our bodies and minds but we have seen that we are resilient- even in the most challenging circumstances.
The first step to creating lasting positive change is noticing that we're unhappy- that what we're doing isn't working. Then we can choose to respond differently.
It will be a great day when we truly use our resources for the safety, happiness, and health of us all. Until then, we deserve our own compassion as we work towards progress- precisely because we're not there yet! Be well and be easy on yourself.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
A New Path Forward
Breaking news on NPR today: "The Orlando, Fla., based Exodus International, which calls itself the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with faith and homosexuality, announced Thursday that it would cease its operations." What's more, the group's president, Alan Chambers offered an apology: "for years of undue suffering and judgment at the hands of the organization and the church as a whole." I welcome this refreshing message and see it as a sign of hope in our collective health and healing.
The counseling field as a whole has moved from seeing differences in sexuality and gender identity as "disorders" to better understanding the richness of our human experiences. Every reputable professional medical and mental health organization finds conversion therapy, which seeks to squash same sex desires or make a person straight, unethical- because it's harmful and it doesn't work.
Seeking to change who we are to fit someone else's idea of how we "should" be is not the answer; it's not sustainable and it actually increases our suffering. The more we realize it's okay to be who we are, the more willing we are to accept others. Let's continue on this trend of finding a new path forward, one that celebrates differences as well as commonalities. We're happier, healthier, and stronger this way.
The counseling field as a whole has moved from seeing differences in sexuality and gender identity as "disorders" to better understanding the richness of our human experiences. Every reputable professional medical and mental health organization finds conversion therapy, which seeks to squash same sex desires or make a person straight, unethical- because it's harmful and it doesn't work.
Seeking to change who we are to fit someone else's idea of how we "should" be is not the answer; it's not sustainable and it actually increases our suffering. The more we realize it's okay to be who we are, the more willing we are to accept others. Let's continue on this trend of finding a new path forward, one that celebrates differences as well as commonalities. We're happier, healthier, and stronger this way.
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