 |
 |
 |
||||||
                     |
BPC Monthly Newsletter Finding Your Way... to Greater Awareness  Tools for Optimizing Emotional & Mental Wellness September 2005 Issue In this issue: Compassion BPC Announcements Healing with Poetry Katrina Victims Additional Links
In the wake of Hurrican Katrina this month, it seems appropriate to explore the emotion of Compassion. As this unimaginable disaster has unfolded, we have experienced feelings of disbelief, fear, anger, sadness and guilt. Maybe you also noticed how quickly we intensified these emotions with our judgments and criticisms. This month, let's look closer at replacing judgments with kindness and compassion. "We can do no great things--only small things with great love." -Mother Teresa Dorothy Ashman & the staff of Bloomsburg Psychological Center, LLC.
First, practice Compassion towards yourself. When we pay attention to our thoughts, we notice that the mind comments on everything we experience. We label each thought, emotion or sensation as "good", "bad", etc., and as these judgments accumulate, we find it difficult not to label ourselves in the same way. It is fairly obvious that labeling oneself as "bad" will most likely bring up feelings of sadness, frustration, anger, etc. But it is equally destructive when we strive to label ourself "good" all the time. We may experience anxiety, frustration and even self-loathing if we can only accept ourself when we are "good". Try this simple practice. Notice something about yourself that you would rather not acknowledge. As you bring up this image in your mind, mentally say "No". Notice your body tense, your stress increase. Now, focussing on your heart, say "Yes". "Yes" means that right now, this is what I am thinking or feeling. There is no judgment about whether it is good or bad. It simply "is". Notice how your body relaxes and lets go of your tension as you say "Yes". "Yes" does not mean you are going to do what you are thinking about, nor does it mean that you can't work on learning how to change. It simply means "Yes, this is what I am thinking, feeling, or sensing at this moment." Compassion towards Others. Now think about someone other than yourself and notice your brain's automatic response of labeling them as "good", "bad", etc. What feelings come up in your body as you label them? Do you notice the increase of tension in your muscles? Now once again say, with kindness, "Yes, this is how that person is at this moment". Notice how different it feels when you refrain from attaching a judgment to someone. Practice this for the rest of today and then pay attention to how you feel at bedtime. Having compassion for others creates feelings of peacefulness and connection..
Women's Depression & Self-Esteem Group with Ronda Barto, LSW meets on Monday evenings at BP Most insurance policies cover group therapy and we will be happy to research your benefits. Call us at 570-387-1832 to see if this group might be appropriate for you. Need extra support? Our area is well supplied with Free Support Groups and Services that can get you connected with other people in similar situations. Our website contains a list of all of the free groups we have heard of. If you know of any that we have missed, please call us at 570-387-1832 and give us the information. Although we confirm the information with each group once a year, we suggest checking with the contact number to make sure the time or location of the meeting has not changed.
As fall approaches and nature begins to shut down for yet another winter of rest and reflection, we may find ourselves more aware of the messages coming from deep inside us. In celebration of our inner stirrings we focus this month on some of the poetry that has been given to us to share. Please explore our entire gallery. If you have something you would like to share, please let us know. Eclipse - sharon solloway The Waterfall - Sharon C. Hawk A Woman's Prayer - Sharon C. Hawk Think of All My Problems - Anonymous Visit the Healing Arts Gallery
The number of children and adults who have been severly traumatized following Hurrican Katrina is staggering. As therapists, we know that for many, these nightmares will not simply fade away with time. EMDR is a powerful weapon for battling the after-effects of trauma, whether from natural or man-made disaster. EMDR-Humanitarian Assistance Programs (HAP), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and can be described as the mental health equivalent of Doctors Without Borders: a global network of clinicians who travel anywhere there is a need to stop suffering and prevent the after-effects of trauma and violence. If you would like to support this crucial organization, you can send a donation of any size to EMDR-HAP and mark your donation for Katrina relief.
Radical Acceptance is a beautiful book that combines the practice of mindfulness with compassion. The author, Tara Brach, is a clinical psychologist, lecturer, and workshop leader, as well as the founder and senior teacher of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, D. C., In many different traditions lighting candles is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. Practice Compassion and Gratitude on this inspiring website as you Light a Candle that will "burn" for 48 hours. Compassion... Its a virtue. A simple and thought provoking article. |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
[ BPC Staff I Psychotherapy I Client Feedback I Imago Couple's Counseling I Assessment & Testing I EMDR ]
[ Meditation Garden I BPC Newsletters I Articles I Links I Healing Arts I Music & Tools I Learn Abdominal Breathing ]
[ Local Free Support Groups I Volunteer Opportunities I Services for Businesses I School Programs I Mental Health Professionals I Insurance Companies ]
[ HIPAA Notice I Privacy I Home ]