"TRUTH TELLING---Victim or
victor..."
When I was a small boy, ages 5 to 11, I stayed with my grandmother. My
grandmother loved me. She let me be a kid. I lived a child like life; playing
tag, climbing trees, playing hid and seek, riding a bike. Man, I could make that
bike do anything; jump ditches, ride long distances with no hands "LOOK EVERYBODY NO
HANDS", ride forever on the back wheel and even cause it to have a wild but
controlled slide on the cinder or gravel roads and sidewalks in front of my grandmother's
house.
When I rode the bike in front of my grandmother's house I felt safe. I wasn't
afraid of the unknown. I knew what I could do on the bike. I really don't
remember whether I was faster or better than my buddies. I just remember it was fun
and I wasn't afraid or preoccupied with getting it right, being wrong, not being accepted
or any of those things. It was just fun and free.
When I went to live with my mother there wasn't enough time for her to do all she
needed to do. I had to grow up and couldn't be a kid anymore.
Whatever happened to the kid part of me? Can I recapture the fun in me?
Is it really necessary to be so preoccupied with avoiding being "wrong"
Why am I so easily shaken when I'm disagreed with? Who am I protecting myself
from? Are they even still around? Am I talking to my spouse and children the
way my parents talked to me? Am I robbing myself and others of the joy that I once
had?
Can you take a few minutes and write your responses to these questions. You may
find your responses useful.
"NOTABLE QUOTES..."
Recommended Readings:
HOW TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR SPOUSE by Norman Wright & Gary
J. Oliver.
THE FAITH FACTOR by Dale Matthews, MD., with Connie Clark.
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"PERSONALITY TYPES AND OTHER SELF
DISCOVERY OPPORTUNITIES WITH TAKE HOME RESULTS"
Birdsong has the means to evaluate personality types and facilitate objective, caring,
focused growth opportunities for the Individual or couple.
A brief overview of three of the nine types discussed in the Enneagram
Advantage-Putting The 9 Personality Types to Work in The Office by Helen Palmer and
Paul B. Brown
Type Two: The Giver
Lens of perception- Other people's needs.
Ways of Sorting Information- Keeps a running inventory of the likes,
dislikes, hopes, and dreams of others.
Blind Spot- Twos don't know their own needs
Growth Edge- Separating self worth from other people's approval
Type Eight: The Boss
Lens of perception- Who's got control?
Ways of Sorting Information- All or nothing
Blind Spot- Impact on others
Growth Edge- Learning the appropriate use of power.
Type One: The Perfectionist
Lens of perception- Notices error.
Way of Sorting Information- Unconsciously comparing events against
inner standards of perfection.
Blind Spot- Accepting the gray zones.
Growth Edge- Knowing there is more than one right way.
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"LOOKING UP"
In a 1975 book, Dr. Benson explained the effects of stress on human
physiology and how these effects can be countered through a simple form of mediation that
elicits "the Relaxation Response". To evoke the Relaxation Response, we
must take a series of steps which include repeating a word, phrase, prayer, or sound, and
passively disregarding distracting thoughts, returning to the focus word or phrase
whenever these thoughts arise. Practiced regularly, the Relaxation Response has
proved beneficial in the treatment of depression, anxiety, hypertension, irregularities in
heart rhythm, chronic pain, insomnia, and the side effects of treatments for cancer.
Dr. Benson found that 80 percent of patients chose to use a prayer or religious
phrase and 20 percent chose words like sun, beaches, or sky as their focus for eliciting
the Relaxation Response, a finding that reflects the religious nature of some Americans.
(Excerpt from the Faith Factor by Dale Matthews, M.D. with Connie Clark)
I have assisted clients in the use of Benson's Relaxation Response
techniques.
"FORGIVENESS is not. . ."
"Forgiveness is not just forgetting.
Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that the other person was right.
Forgiveness does not mean that all the pain vanishes instantly.
Forgiveness does not mean that the other person controls you."
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"GRATITUDE JOURNAL- New Habits- New
Attitude- Renewed Life"
"Give Thanks To The Lord, For He Is Good. His Love Endures
Forever." - PSALM 136:1, NIV
A well known talk show host has spent the last year on a crusade to
encourage people to be grateful. She states with great passion that her life has
been forever changed by looking for five very simple pleasures each day and jot them down
in a "gratitude journal". Ordinary things are no longer taken for granted
like - hearing the sweet song of a red bird, enjoying the fragrance of a flower, seeing a
child smile, feeling the warm hug of a friend, waking up to a brand new day, the marvel
over a sunset, the bright stars in an evening sky, the ongoing acceptance of the family
pet or experiencing the kindness of a stranger.
Gratitude has provided a new focus on life.
Wow! You may be asking, "Can a gratitude journal do that for
me?" Yes - and more! Our gratitude can go beyond the daily pleasures of
life. Our gratitude could also overflow as a gift to those we love, the privilege of
speech, sight, and the hope we have of eternal life with Christ.
Why is our thankfulness so important to God our self and others?
It is an act of worship. It lifts our eyes from ourselves and
focuses our attention on God and all His attributes.
Second, It brings a change of attitude in our own hearts. As we
concentrate on what we have, we are blessed. What we don't have recedes in
importance. We indulge in less self-pity and become more peaceful, more content and
more optimistic as we realize. . .
Educators tell us it takes 21 days to form a new habit. It
thankfulness is not already a part of your life, start today to develop the gratitude
habit. It could change your life!
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Insurance Update
Bridsong is now a provider with TRICARE, the new CHAMPUS plan.
Information regarding TRICARE Prime is extracted from the Scott Air Force Base Brochure as
follows:
Simplified processing: No deductibles nor claim forms for
patients
Small co-pay for civilian care only
Annual enrollment fee (retirees, survivors and their dependents)
CHAMPUS benefit plus enhanced services.
Voluntary enrollment
Uses military facility and civilian network
Patient's access care through their Primary Care Manager (PCM).
Under TRICARE Prime your co-pay will be from $25.00 - $6.00 per visit.
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Do You Have Difficulty. . .
Seeing persons and situations realistically?
Feeling that you are responsible for thoughts and actions of
others?
Being controlled by others and in turn are controlling of others?
Feeling unhealthy amounts of hurt and anger?
Feeling guilty for things about which you have no control over?
With developing a life of loneliness without true intimacy.
We may see a common thread in one of these points. . .Changes can be made.
We don't have to feel like we are stuck in a difficult situation with no way out.
There are caring counselors waiting to help you . . .
"Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you will laugh"
(Luke 6:21, NIV)
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