Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Celebrating Messages of Hope Courage

Celebrating Messages of  Hope Courage and Integrity
and the Need for Greater Intolerance!
#Celebrating Their Message of  #Hope , #Courage ,  #Integrity and the Need for…


Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai were both honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

In doing so the Noble Commission in Norway honored: A
Victim who would #NotBeSilenced and a   #GlobalVictimsAdvocate .  

It has been estimated that 90% of any population group can be controlled by a 10% minority that is willing to organize and intimidate their neighbors.

Simply said: The  two honored prize winners chose not to be intimidated, but rather to work to organize the 90%. 

In America during the Civil Rights Movement the, "Freedom Riders," did a similar thing. They immersed themselves into the conflict. They became witnesses, and companions to the suffering. Their presence brought the struggle to the homes of everyday America,  black and white. Their presence ensured social awareness and highlighted the  injustice of segregation, exposing a system that could no longer be tolerated.  Below is to and excellent PBS special, "The Freedom Riders."





The Freedom Riders 

Click Link below to see video  




Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai are Freedom Riders in the Greatest Sense... a Hindu, and a Muslim...an Indian and a Pakistani..

Salmaan Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti also worked to change the 90%. Taseer a Muslim and Bhatti Christian stepped forward and worked together in Pakistan to expose injustice, but few in Pakistan were able to follow, and their culture could not respond.

In 1989, 25 years earlier, the Students of Tiananmen Square  in China  stepped  forward as well,  but the people of China were not free to respond. 

One year earlier in 1988, The Singing Revolution occurred in the Baltic states. It was successful and the Tank Commanders joined the protesters in, "Freedom Rider," type activities, and together they broke free from the Communist System.


How Song and Poetry Inspired the Baltic Revolution | Gina Ochsner | TEDxSalem

And


The Estonian Singing Revolution: An Anthem of Independence
Eshaan Chandani

So, why such dramatically different outcomes?


I suggest that the, "Judeo-Christian Culture had a huge effect; that as the population of the Established Power Structure had a strong Cultural Identification with the values of, "Christianity," peaceful Protestantism was much more likely to be effective.

Why?... because of the values? .....the challenging nature of, "Protestantism"?...  or the fear of God? I think Lincoln would say the Fear of God. (see Lincoln's 2nd inaugural Address)

Today our culture has redefined it's values along humanistic lines and all but abandoned ideas of, "Fearing God," but we continue to honor the, "Challenging Nature of, Protestantism" as displayed in modern time by the acts Mandela and Gandhi in British controlled South Africa, and India and Dr Martin Luther King Jr in America.  Both with great success I might add.

And yet, the protests of the Arab Spring failed to bring movement toward resolution, but rather the destruction of order and devolution into greater factitious fighting. Hopefully theses will also resolve toward a better future. Lord Knows, there was great turmoil at the time of Gandhi and King. Turmoil that took both or their lives.

The playlist below suggests truths that transcend national, cultural and  religious mandate.  Some examine conflicts and responses both positive and negative.

Click the link directly below for Playlist, then Play All.

It is labeled.

Comparing Modern Reformations,
20th Century America's and Pakistan's
(see it at:)

But back to slavery.... and Kailash and Malala.

The children of the world are needed to feed our appetites, and our appetites enslave the children of the world.

#Cheaplabor#CheapPornography and  #Sexualenslavement are only a few of the appetites driving demand for the young as we in the west grow the demand for cheap merchandise and surrender to habits of personal corruption. But this is not a problem of the west alone. In the East these practices occur without shame. In many parts of the "Non-Christian" world young women are expected to work as prostitutes for a period of time to pay back their parents for the cost of raising them, often starting as young as age 8. Their culture sees it as their duty, and so escape is next to impossible.

Sadly: This is a global and historical characteristic of humankind.

Corrupting our future sells, and when it does, the younger generations pay a huge price. 

The Clips in Play List below are focused on education and exposing or escaping from various forms of slavery, and organizations committed to bringing restoration. 

The 3rd clip is an excellent speech given by #KailashSatyarthi several years ago on his work to free enslaved children and end the #cyclethatentraps their  families.

Click the link below or click Play all to view all. 

Heartfelt Thoughts from others:

Heartfelt Thoughts 
from others: 




 Dear younger me, 
Shared by permission of the writer.

To the girl who was too ashamed to look at herself, the one who could only see her own mistakes. The little child who thought she wasn't worthy of love. The hands that held a razor to cut herself oh so many times. To the fragile heart that couldn't see past the flaws of the past. 

You, yes you, you are the child that I am most proud of. You are incredible. The hurt you have been feeling, it will pass. As I look into my past I find you there in the corner crying because you care about what others think of you. You put your value and worth into their greedy hands. You in the future is better than you could have hoped. 

I want to say thank you for giving yourself all those chances, for never actually going through with all those plans to end the the gift of life. 

You in the future is the person who you wished you had growing up. You in the future is thoughtful and kind. The heart you have so many years later is stronger than you dared to believe. 

Be proud of your flaws and mistakes. They are what got you to today. You, younger me are the one I challenge. The child you were is not the child you are. For you see, we had a childhood taken away from us, we were forced to grow up oh so much faster than our peers. 

You know that you're different but you don't know why. You see being different as being an outcast, and you couldn't be farther from the truth. Being different is your biggest strength. 

You thrive in challenges and you conquer trials. Stop blaming yourself dear child for keeping secrets, you didn't know. Please trust me when I say you are a force to be reckoned with. One day soon you will understand that who you are is not defined by your flaws, by the past, by the ones who are close to you. 

No, sweet little me, the one that defines you, the one who holds your worth... He will never leave you, nor will he forsake you. Let go of your past and forgive yourself. 

You are a princess, a child of the King of Kings and Lord the Lords. He alone is the one who saves. He knows your flaws, but he calls you by your name. No more being ashamed. Young one, it's been 10 years of fighting to prove your worth. Ten years since you first realized you weren't who you wanted to be. Be proud of yourself. You've done so much. You are proud of yourself. You know your name. ❤

I want to thank everyone I have come in contact with for the past 19 years, without you, I assure you I would not be where I am today. Much love! Oh and btw, I'm extremely proud of who I was, who I am, and I am looking forward to seeing who I become. God bless.❤ #mylifeofhope #Godslittlegirl





Written by a girl at our church.

#Learningmoment from today;
Tonight I went to visit a friend and there were a few kids she was babysitting. I was glad to come help.

Anyway, one of the little girls got a piece of glass or metal stuck in her foot (it's out now and she's all better) but I was trying to help her and it ended up making me so upset that she wouldn't let anyone help her, it was kicking and screaming pretty much the whole time.

I eventually moved myself away from the scenario and #recollectedmythoughts. But it got me thinking... What am I holding onto in my own life, for fear it might hurt more than it does right now?

How many things are hindering my perception of life because I am #tooscaredtotrust those who want to help?

Am I going to carry the pain for years when I could have overcome it within a couple months instead?

The most amazing thing I took away from this learning experience is how much #Godlovesme.

While I'm kicking and screaming from the pain and fear constantly going through my head, He never fails to be right beside me wanting to take care of me.

As I keep resisting the unknown his perfect love is casting away all my fears.

Father, thank you for never giving up on me and never taking a break from my screaming. You are so much more patient than I am, and I can't thank You enough for never losing your grip on me.

Please teach me how to embrace the unknown and look forward to the challenges. Humble me so I can learn from those around me who want to help me and please give me opportunities to demonstrate the fruits of Your spirit. These are the desires of my heart tonight as I come to You. In your holy name, amen. 9/16/17

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

A VERY BIG THANK YOU!

To all my peers at Unity...Thank you so much!



It took me a little time to process my thoughts, and by then my E-mail was closed and I didn't want to leave it unsaid, so...

Thank you Aimee and Beth and everyone who contributed! I can't begin to express the gratitude that I felt with your generous gifts and your displays of recognition and appreciation at my retirement party! The gifts were PERFECT! I was truly overwhelmed! Thank you so much for your kindness, your presence, your hugs and your good-wishes!

Many of you expressed surprise and some were saddened with my decision to suddenly retire as I was so intensely engaged in efforts to influence and improve our PES environment. If you were counting on me to be there, I apologize.

Most of you also know that these last few months were very challenging for me, (as they were for all of us after the OHA audit), and how the OHA bump in the road abruptly shifted our focus. From a clear focus of stabilizing our city's most vulnerable patients... To one of demonstrating compliance with the ever so tedious task of searching for the correct locations in the randomly organized, multifaceted non-emergent computer charting system to record our redundancies. Although I am certain that the data miners are thrilled. This was something I had hoped to avoid by leaving floor nursing.

I want you all to know that through this time I personally found everyone in the nursing field at Unity, including my manager extremely supportive, both personally and professionally. Among those I especially appreciated due to their timely actions were each of my charge nurses, Kevin, Sarah, Elisha, Jeff and Jen.  Thank you Jen for normalizing the idea of filling in every box, even when COMPLETELY REDUNDANT. I needed that to survive. (It still makes no sense to me)

Thank you Kevin for your unique openness and friendship and for helping me to see the big picture in how to get organized on the EPIC system. I appreciated your kindness and persistence in checking my efforts and offering respectful and supportive encouragement. I appreciated your willingness to trust me as we team worked with many of our most difficult people. 

Thank you Elisha, Sarah and Jeff for standing up for me specifically and for all of us Nurses in general as you responded to  situations where Corrective Actions were taken against acceptable but uniquely prioritized nursing practices. Good Job on seeking and obtaining greater representation! You guys are amazing! This is the first time that I have heard of a group unionizing to obtain greater freedom to pursue excellence in serving their community! Usually it is about wages or vacations! I hope that the Legacy Organization realizes what an asset they have in you and listens carefully to your insights in the future!

I also want to thank you Aimee. I appreciate the confidence and faith you placed in me. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow and adapt as we opened the PES and as you know I enjoyed thinking on my feet and applying my skills in the ever changing ED setting. It was a challenge that I feel we all grew into. Thank you for your efforts in helping me to overcome the obstacles that came up, and the graciousness that you extended in our meetings. I appreciate the times that you went to bat for me when there were misunderstandings with medical staff.

So what was the problem?  And, why did I decide to leave? ...

In  my practice, my Nursing Goal in the PES was simple. Of course there is safety and labs and meds and all the rest... and then there was my patient stabilization goal...

"To connect with, and to identify and explore a reasonable Hope."

which could be as simple as 
(fully enjoying)... smell, feel, taste, and 
describe the effect,
 of a cup of tea together, 
(i.e.... grounding before directing or problem solving) 

To be honest, with the busy-ness of the additional computer tasks I found that I was no longer taking the time to accomplish my stabilization goal. I was not consistently doing both. I could do one, or the other, but often I could not do both.

I also found that doing med audits for four months placed me under suspicion with our medical staff and their confidence in my actions and assessments seemed to have evaporated. Eventually my actions, statements and decisions were being questioned by some on a near daily basis. I was even accused of lying about the side effects I observed. As you can imagine, this saddened me. But later when the patient,  expressed great relief and gratitude for the effectiveness of the medication I (wrongly) gave. I was very glad I followed my training and instincts. Instincts which also led to my leaving.

Since the options in life do not include Do-Over's, and I had just spent four months proving myself only to have a very negative outcome, it seemed best to leave and reap the benefits of my other investments.

(Did I tell you I just bought a new windsurf board?)
click link below to read about my passion for, "blasting."


So I end with a suggestion on how to have greater unity at Unity.
Please be patient as I try to illustrate.

The culture at my previous hospital was influenced by a mission statement..., "To demonstrate in human form the healing ministry of Jesus Christ." which was often referred to as, "SACRED WORK." This mission attempts to capture ideas of "moral truth," like healing, comfort, compassion and patience, e.t.c...

Legacy's culture which extends to Unity, promotes ideals of, Social Justice, which are also held by many in a sense as, "SACRED WORK," and presented in their statement... 

"ABOVE ALL, we will do THE RIGHT THING." 

The status of sacredness can be seen in our fervency to display reverent social etiquette toward marginalized groups, much like the reverent speech displayed in many formal prayers. The "moral truth" extended... Intense Fairness.

Whether every individual in the organization personally holds either of these messages as sacred was actually unimportant. In reality they serve as identity markers to rallying forms of focused altruistic effort. 

Unfortunately it is also the nature of humanity to harbor mistrust and form judgments and then reward or punish along perceived lines of allegiance. I saw this at AMC toward a peer who jokingly coined the phrase, "badventist," and I believe this happens often at Unity toward anyone that does not show enough zeal in their displays of reverence toward cultural change.

Is it possible to humbly and respectfully disagree on some perceptions of morality? Or do we all have to mercilessly be beaten and pushed  into the same mold? 

The Following TED talk is very good on this topic.


 it can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs41JrnGaxc

If you think that the main point of the talk is to create punishments that will be effective in bringing greater fairness, then you are lost in the Matrix he is discribing. 

The challenging question is... Setting aside his personal tastes on religious systems and going back to the data. Is it better to function on two channels and ignore the other three, or recognize and UTILIZE ALL FIVE and WEIGHT THEM PROPERLY on a MOMENT TO MOMENT basis? 

Which leads to my final suggestion, to bring greater fairness and unity to Unity... 

Create a hybrid Mission Statement like...

 "Above All, We Will Respect Human Dignity, 
As Our Sacred Duty."

We will humbly respect...

  • The dignity of our patients, their families and their circumstance, and not ridicule.
  • The dignity of our peers, providers, managers, even if we disagree strongly with them on what we feel are very important issues
  • The dignity of those who serve among us in other capacities.

Hopefully this would result in a refrain from gossip and derision and segregating from, or singling out those who hold differing values. If we were to extend the benefit of graciousness rather then scolding or judgmental criticisms and avoid punitive action toward those who hold differing opinions. This would also be a great step toward,  "Intense Fairness."
  

Again, Thank you ALL and May God Bless us each and every one!



Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Stop and See


Stop and (SEE) the Miracles!
Pause and (ENJOY) the Moments. 
(KNOW) His loving eyes watch over you.

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Friday, February 8, 2019

EMPOWERMENT & RECOVERY (12 step, addictions, habits and self-absorption)






Empowerment & Recovery 

The Playlist presents a variety of speakers addressing various topics in Recovery including Brene' Brown, Brennan Manning, John Townsend, Nicky Cruz, Paul Wood, Jenny McDirmid and Mandy Saligari on a variety of approaches from 12 step to recreational networks mentors and education. Hope that you enjoy the harmony in the variety.
My story... I was adopted from an orphanage at age two and raised in the homes of multiple functional alcoholic fathers. My struggle was with anger, personal connection and substance abuse in my teens. I have been attending or leading meetings at Celebrate Recovery for nearly 20 years. I continued because of the support and help that I found. It is a place where I can work though my frustrations and learn from others without hurting or further damaging my relationship with those that I love.

Empowerment & Recovery 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc7nB8Z7S2L-_fKC4npRUQZDMZpFnyOa_

Click either title or web address above for Playlist of 

speakers on a variety of recovery topics. 


=============================

 ABUSE TRAINING


I wish this were true for me. The man who said it was a black leader in South Africa speaking to a Nation that nearly destroyed itself through justified reactive retaliation over the abuses of the past and some that are still present today, as change take time. 

The saving message?   A commitment to forgiveness and productive cooperation in achieving mutual goals with opponents and even enemies, including many who had been exceedingly abusive.   

Unlike the theme in this photo. I was taught to act the bully and to respond to bullying through fiercely destructive anger. The mother who raised me eventually grew tired of his abuse and left this father. As an adult, my own actions also troubled my family. My change was a difficult process that left scars on many. It was a very sad and destructive thing for all of us to recover from. 

In recent year I have also been troubled by the fierce anger I so often see around me. Popularized attitudes of disdain and disrespect often acted out through social obstruction, intimidation and property damage. Attitudes that extend beyond our politics and into our homes. Attitude that replace the search for respectful harmony with a commitment to punish.

Hopefully we will relearn the true freedoms of self control in free speech and regain the true strength of Democracy?

Disclaimer... If you are in an abusive environment or are in danger due to abuse, I am not suggesting that you merely ignore and forgive and things will get better.

YOUR SAFETY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE! 
DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR SAFETY!
DO GET THE SUPPORT AND HELP THAT YOU DESERVE!

One source is Abuse Recovery Ministry Services, at http://armsonline.org/our-programs/ ARMS is a program that my wife has been involved with for years. Initially for her own journey, and since to assist others in theirs.

Photo source:http://positivedailies.com/item/92-don-t-raise-your-voice-improve-your-argument
============================================================
Can we really become Addicted 
to Abusive Anger 
Consider...

Here are the Four C's of Addiction:


LOSS OF CONTROL:

(Substance abuse)
You can't have “just one” without taking a big risk.

(Emotional or Physical abuse including pornography)
You can't stop your emotions without abusing self or others)

CONTINUED USE:

(Substance abuse)
Despite harmful consequences you spiral out of control, and keep using or acting out anyway.

(Emotional or Physical abuse including pornography)
Even though you know your actions are making things worse you can't stop, you won't stop because you don't know how to stop.

COMPULSION TO USE:

(Substance abuse)
It's what you think about in the back of your mind.
It's there all of the time. 

(Emotional or Physical abuse including pornography)
It's what you think about in the back of your mind when you feel loss or threatened and may justify as the ESSENTIAL OPTION to protect or comfort yourself in your times of vulnerability.

CRAVING:

(Substance abuse and)
(Emotional or Physical abuse including pornography)

Your consuming drive to Use, Get High, Loaded or Stoned or...
Act Out to regain a temporary Sense Of Control. This drive begins to define you internally and eventually publicly. You find yourself either wanting more or in gripped in avoiding uncomfortable withdrawals.

So What do you think?

Do you think the four C's can apply to:

Pornography use? Infatuations and Compulsive Relationships? Compulsive Overeating? Compulsive Anger or Withdrawal? How about Compulsive video gaming? or Retreat into work ...(?)

Again, for some interesting videos on recovery and empowerment click the link directly below:

Empowerment & Recovery



The gentleman in the pictures above is Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award and the Critics Choice Award in 2005 and several more in 2012. After 23 years of sobriety, he was found dead in his apartment, apparently from a heroin overdose. Hoffman's body was found amidst syringes, cocaine, prescription pill bottles and 50 small bags of heroin.

Hoffman had gone public about his past drug addiction. In 2006 he told 60 Minutes that when he was 22 he "got panicked for my life", and gave up the drugs and alcohol. Remember, he was clean for 23 years. Twenty-three years! And then two years ago, he relapsed.

In 2004, there were 1,879 heroin deaths, while in 2010 this spiked to 3,038. Across the US, there are approximately 600,000 heroin addicts , each spending from $100 to $200 daily to support their addiction.

But it's not just heroin. Once an addict, always an addict. Regardless of your sex, race or creed, if you're an addict, you're an addict—for life. Addiction is a brain disease. If you go through rehab, you're not cured. You're clean. But you're not cured

Hoffman was clean for 23 years and was unbelievably successful. In 2012 he began taking prescription pain pills. And he relapsed. He wasn't being selfish. He wasn't being stupid. He didn't think he was invincible. He was an addict, and he relapsed and died alone in his apartment.

Despite all the advances in treatment, increased understanding of brain chemistry, realization that addiction causes changes in neural pathways and various new meds that suppress cravings, this simple fact remains true: “Once an addict always an addict”.

And IF YOU'RE AN ADDICT
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE JUST ONE WITHOUT TAKING A TERRIBLE RISK!


What do you think? Do you think the four C's of #Addiction apply to #Pornography use? Infatuations or Compulsive Relationships? Compulsive Overeating? Compulsive Anger? or Compulsive Withdrawal into....(?)

For some interesting videos on #Recovery and #Empowerment click the same www.youtube link listed directly below.


___________________________________


Robin Williams:
Courage through Vulnerability,
20 years of Success  with 12 Step Support





 Photo and Excerpts from http://www.thguardian.com/film/2010/sep/20/robin-williams-worlds-greatest-dad-alcohol-drugsDecca Aitkenhead The Guardian, Sunday 19 September 2010
"Keep coming back; It works if you will work it, " is the saying often recited at the end of a #12stepAAmeeting . But after 20 plus years of success, something went wrong. Terribly wrong.

Williams used to be a big-drinking cocaine addict, but quit both before the birth of his eldest son in 1983, and stayed sober for 20 years. On location in Alaska in 2003, however, he started drinking again. He brings this up himself, and the minute he does he becomes more engaged.

"I was in a small town where it's not the edge of the world, but you can see it from there, and then I thought: drinking. I just thought, hey, maybe drinking will help. Because I felt alone and afraid. It was that thing of working so much, and going fxxk, maybe that will help. And it was the worst thing in the world." What did he feel like when he had his first drink? "You feel warm and kind of wonderful. And then the next thing you know, it's a problem, and you're isolated." fearfulness and anxiety." He didn't take up cocaine again, because "I knew that would kill me".....

Some have suggested it was Reeve's death that turned him back to drink. "No," he says quietly, "it's more selfish than that. It's just literally being afraid. And you think, oh, this will ease the fear. And it doesn't." What was he afraid of? "Everything. It's just a general all-round arggghhh. It's fearfulness and anxiety."

In the end it was a family intervention that put him into residential rehab. I wonder if he was "Robin Williams" in rehab, and he agrees. "Yeah, you start off initially riffing, and kind of being real funny. But the weird thing is, how can you do a comic turn without betraying the precepts of group therapy? Eventually you shed it."

In 2010 Williams was still attending AA meetings at least once a week – "Have to. It's good to go" – and I suspect this accounts for a fair bit of his Zen solemnity...

Excerpts above and photo from:
Decca Aitkenhead The Guardian, Sunday 19 September 2010
www.theguardian.com/film2010/sept/20/robin-Williams-worlds-greatest-dad-alcohol-drugs

Bipolar and Depression

Williams had been battling severe depression recently, said Mara Buxbaum, his press representative. Just last month, he announced he was returning to a 12-step treatment program he said he needed after 18 months of nonstop work....

Excerpt above from:
Aug. 12, 2014 | 1:15 a.m. EDT + More   By HAVEN DALEY and HILLEL ITALIE, Associated Press           www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/article/2014/08/11/robin-williams-manic-comedy-star-dead-at-63

Unfortunately the fatigue of an intense work schedule combined with his struggle with severe anxiety and depression, and the addition of Parkinson's Disease, proved too much, and Robin took his own life. Such a terrible loss!. As we learn more about their experience, we can provide  better support to those who struggle around us.

To find out more about #Depression , #Addiction  and #Bipolar from a comedian and celebrity much like #RobinWilliams .  Click the Link Below.

When Our Thoughts Escalate, Struggling with Mood,

"Experiencing Depression or Bipolar" 

  #StevenFry candidly interviews many stars you will recognize as they talk about their experiences and beliefs on the subject.