Happy New Year 2025!

 

Courtesy of Freepik

Happy New Year! Seems like yesterday we were welcoming in 2024.  Time flies. I look forward to a great 2025! Time waits for no one as we travel this journey of life. The past is set in stone, but the future is yet to be written. We have another year to reach our goals for more joy, growth and positivity.  We aim to learn from our challenges and move forward with courage.  The see-saw of life, with its ups and downs, is common to all of us.  We all have probably been hurt by life in some way or another.  So, you are not alone if you ever feel overwhelmed. However, even with all of the bumpy roads we must sometimes travel, it is important to choose life!

I encourage you to write down your goals. Be clear about what you desire. Realize the differences between needs and wants. Accept that we can only change ourselves. Free will exists. We all reap what we sow. 

Happy reading and thank you. May the Force be with us...

Happy New Year!

                                        Courtesy of YouTube, Star Wars-The Empire Strikes Back

References

https://www.freepik.com/vectors/happy-new-year-2025

Entertaining Movies to Stream on Netflix - December 2024

 

                                                              Courtesy of Netflix

There are several immensely entertaining movies streaming right now on Netflix as of December 2024. I have lost count of how many times I have watched these movies, but I notice something new each time I watch them. With each repeat viewing, I see nuances that spark new observations. Let's discuss....

See Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia

 

Courtesy of the Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta, Georgia

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is one of my favorite movies. As a child, I enjoyed the story for its entertainment value; As an adult, I appreciate its wisdom.  As a hero's journey, Rudolph is ridiculed for being unique due to his red nose. The story also explores what it means to be a misfit. The wisdom of the story is universal-appreciate your unique qualities. I saw the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer show at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia.  It was a delightful experience.  I highly recommend you see the show.  Let's discuss....

Fun Things to Do With Friends

 

Courtesy of Pixabay

In a previous blog, we discussed how using Dr. Schafer's Friendship Formula can help you maintain friendships. Frequency, how often you interact with your friends, and duration, how long you interact with friends, are two elements. What are fun things to do with friends? Let's discuss....

Dr. Jack Schafer's Friendship Formula: How to Make Friends or Lose Them

                                                               Courtesy of Amazon 

"Alone, all alone

Nobody, but nobody

Can make it out here alone"

  From Maya Angelou's poem, "Alone"

Dr. Angelou is right. Nobody can make it in the world alone. People need people. Everything is interrelated. Recently, I had car trouble.  My over 300,000k miles sedan needed an alternator, but I did not know it at the time. Yes, my battery light came on, but I kept on driving.  I didn't heed the signs (we'll discuss this in a separate blog). As I sat on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck, I started thinking about the interrelationships of life.  As social beings, we need each other, but not all relationships work out. Sometimes it is challenging to find the right people for us. I took my car to one body shop, but they could not do the job on my schedule, needed to order the part and charged me double the price. So, I took it to another shop who had the right parts, time and price. Likewise, making friends is a hit or miss game. However, according to Dr. Jack Schafer, there is a formula for making friends. After you make them, then you decide which ones to let go of or keep. Let's discuss...

How to Cope With Holiday Blues

                                  

                                                               Courtesy of Pixabay

Holidays are times for celebrations, but they can also be times of immense sadness. Why? Holidays occur in the present moment, but memories from the past may visit. These memories may include family members who have passed away, happier times with loved ones who are no longer in your life due to circumstances or the passage of time. You may experience waves of emotions from happiness to depression. How do you cope with holiday blues? Let's discuss...

The Healthy Hero: Seeking a Healthy Balance With Food and Weight Loss

Nutrition Pyramid courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

                                                                          

It was a rainy Monday morning when I stared at my scale. Over the years, I added 20 pounds to my weight. I said okay and then went to work. My lunch was my usual high carb and savory fair. French fries, cookies, burgers and cake were literally my best friends because they were honest and never disappointed me. Whenever I felt sad, I depended on food to help me feel better. However, my reflection in the mirror did not make me smile. A doctor told me that I had unhealthy lab results. If I did not make changes in my diet, then my risk for illnesses would increase. So, I had a choice - continue eating and living a sedentary lifestyle and watch my health suffer or focus on my wellbeing by eating healthier and increasing my exercise. I made the right choice. Over the past year I ran my first 10k, 5k and racked up miles going to parks to walk and enjoy nature. Oh, and I lost 20 pounds. My lab results are better, and I like my reflection in the mirror. Why did I change? Per Nietzsche, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."  Let's discuss....

Hope Can Set You Free: A Look at The Shawshank Redemption

 

The Shawshank Redemption movie poster, courtesy of Wikipedia

Warning: this article contains spoilers from the film The Shawshank Redemption. 

Hope is defined as "a feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen."  In the film, The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne maintained hope for a better life even though he was convicted of a crime he did not commit and forced to endure 19 years of confinement in a dangerous prison. The film is also a story about hope versus despair, which utilizes inspiration from the Hero's Journey and the Bible.  It is celebrated as one of the best movies ever made even though it was not a box office hit.  A popular line from the movie, "Get busy living, or get busy dying" is about the options we have in life. It is possible to be alive, but not live.  The choice is up to you. Andy's character encourages you to have hope and pursue the life you believe you deserve. Let's discuss...

Choices and Consequences - Red Pill vs Blue Pill - Choose Wisely

 

The Matrix poster - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Recently, I attended an exciting football game. One team had a choice to either kick a field goal for three points or run the football through the end zone for two points. Usually, a team with similar options would go for the field goal. So, it was shocking to me, and others, when the team went for the run. The team didn't score and eventually lost the game.  This event inspired me to think about our life choices and consequences. With every choice we make, there is a corresponding consequence.  Like Neo in The Matrix, every day we make life altering choices, so choose wisely.  Let's discuss...

Celebrating Endings for New Beginnings - Independence Day and the Declaration of Independence

 

Courtesy of www.freepik.com

Independence Day, known as July 4th, is a federal holiday in the United States. The holiday celebrates the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, which established the United States of America.  The Declaration of Independence, signed unanimously by all 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress, is an eloquently written historical document which explains the reasons why the Thirteen Colonies decided to sever ties with Great Britain.  Likewise, in our personal lives, all relationships have a beginning, a middle and an end. What can we learn from the Declaration of Independence that we can apply to our own lives whenever we wrestle with ending relationships? Let's discuss....

A Review of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essay - Compensation Part I

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson, courtesy of Wikipedia

The theory of dualism is everything is created in pairs of opposites. Some examples of created opposing pairs are: a coin has two sides - heads/tales; directions have four pairs - north/south and east/west; days have both light and darkness; wet/dry; yes/no; a game has a winner/loser; hot/cold; male/female; positive/negative; sweet/bitter; young/old; and darkness/light, just to name a few. Is dualism also evident in our relationships with ourselves and the community? Does what goes around really comes back around? Are there really consequences for every personal action? Yes. In his essay Compensation, Ralph Waldo Emerson explains that every action has a reaction and everyone reaps what they sow. Let's discuss....

A Reflection on Dr. Maya Angelou's Timeless Wisdom, "When people show you who they are believe them."

                                              Dr. Maya Angelou in 1993, Wikipedia

Dr. Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928-May 28, 2014) was an American memoirist, poet and civil rights activist. Her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) tells of her life up until the age of 17 and earned her international acclaim. She wrote seven autobiographies and several books of poetry.  Dr. Angelou also earned several honorary degrees. She recited her poem, "On the Pulse of the Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Her wisdom is highly respected, and her poems are frequently recited at poetry readings and graduations. Her quote, "When people show you who they are believe them" is very popular and one of my favorite quotes. Why? Let's discuss....

A Beautiful Day: Engaging in Creative Activities is Good for Your Health

 

A Beautiful Day-Spoken Word Positive Poem Using YouTube Studio Audio Library

With current technology, anyone can be an artist and publish music online. Opinions are diverse about whether this is a good thing.  However, what is true is that technology makes the fun of being an artist accessible to anyone with a computer, interest and time.  YouTube Studio is a readily accessible tool with an audio library with music that can be used freely for YouTube videos.  Let's discuss...

Friday Poetic Motivations: Be Inspired

May 2024

Be Inspired

A  spoken word inspirational poem with music...

The Greatest Love of All by Michael Masser and Linda Creed - An Anthem to Be Your Own Hero

 

                                                         Love courtesy of www.creazilla.com

May 2024

Living an inspired life is an acceptance that you are ultimately responsible for your own happiness. Our family and friends love us as much as their capacity, but they also have their own life to live. It is not fair or realistic to expect others to love us more than we are willing to love ourselves. What are ways that we can cultivate self-love? One way is to listen to inspirational music. One of my favorite inspirational songs is 'The Greatest Love of All' by Michael Masser (music) and Linda Creed (lyrics) because it is a reminder that loving yourself is a gift. Let's discuss... 

Mother's Day: A Celebration of Motherhood and Memories

 

Courtesy of www.Wannapik.com

May 12, 2024

On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. The history of the holiday goes back to 1868 when Ann Jarvis organized a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day", with a purpose to reunite families separated due to the Civil War. After Ann Jarvis passed away, her daughter Anna Jarvis continued her efforts. Today, Mother's Day is one of the most popular holidays in the United States. Traditional celebrations include going out to dinner, buying flowers and candy, seeing a show, or  just spending quality time with Mom.  In the midst of the celebratory spirit of Mother's Day, some families experience feelings of loss and grief as they cope with the loss of their Mother.  Let's discuss....

It's Up to You

 

                 Clock courtesy of Pixabay

Today is yours; live it.

Love is abundant; share it.

Poetry Fridays: Ode to Forgiveness

 

Forgiveness image courtesy of www.PickPik.com

May 3, 2024

Poetry Fridays. Today's theme is forgiveness

Redefining Family: Dr. Kris Marsh's - The Love Jones Cohort-Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class

Traditionally, being happy and successful as an adult meant having a spouse, children, a career and a home.  However, the definition of what makes a family is evolving. A significant number of today's households include single adults with or without children.  Dr. Marsh's book, The Love Jones Cohort, Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class, studies the lifestyles of a segment of the population who made good educational and financial decisions, but who are living single. Instead of seeing their singlehood as basis of society wondering, "What's wrong with you?" Dr. Marsh aims to remove the stigma of living single and encourages single people to enjoy their lives. Per Dr. Marsh, "I'm just trying to destigmatize singlehood."  Let's discuss....

Dr. Todd Grande: YouTube Therapist Answers Questions With Tact and a Dose of Humor

 

Dr. Todd Grande's Psychology YouTube Channel has a plethora of interesting videos

April 19, 2024

Dr. Todd Grande is a licensed professional counselor of mental health, licensed chemical dependency professional and has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education. His popular YouTube channel has 1.43 million subscribers and 3.2k videos.  What is his appeal? Let's discuss...

Managing the Negotiation Within, Resolving Conflicts by Utilizing the Internal Family Systems Model by David A. Hoffman, Esq.

A Video Review

Photograph courtesy of https://www.picpedia.org/chalkboard/a/agreements.html

One of the goals of the Program on Negotiation is to increase public awareness of successful conflict resolution processes (As discussed in Part 1).  Even though the program is based at Harvard Law School, the information disseminated is not just for lawyers and professional mediators.  Attorney and mediator David A. Hoffman's presentation, "Managing the Negotiation Within: The Internal Family Systems Model", shares the benefits of utilizing the Internal Family Systems Model to make the world a better place. Let's discuss... 

A Presidential Candidate for the People: Netflix's Biographical Drama Shirley Wins!

 

Netflix's Shirley Movie Poster courtesy of Wikipedia

The Honorable U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's 1972 historical run for the presidency of the United States is the basis for Netflix's Shirley.  Let's discuss... 

The Program on Negotiation Offers Resources on Conflict Resolution - Part 1

Courtesy of freestock.com

 

As this blog enters its seventh year (thank you readers), I decided to revisit my first blog topic Compassionate Disagreements from a different angle. Disagreements are often the precursors to conflicts.  According to the Social Work Theories, offered by the Mary Livermore Library, "Conflict theory claims that society is in a perpetual conflict and competition for limited resources."  Unresolved conflicts disrupt internal and external peace and often result in domestic and international violence. In an effort to make conflict resolution resources readily accessible, the Program on Negotiation, based at Harvard Law School, is "dedicated to improving the theory and practice of negotiation and dispute resolution." Let's discuss.....

The Hammonds House Museum: A Destination for Lovers of Visual Art

 

                                                     The Hammonds House Museum

Atlanta, Georgia has a robust entertainment community. There are numerous museums, theaters, gardens, concert venues, sport events, etc.  Join me as we visit these various sites. You may want to visit them yourself. Let's discuss....

Origin (Film): A Beautiful Biographical Film With Emotion, Suspense and Heart

                                        Origin movie poster courtesy of Wikipedia

Origin is a 2023 film written and directed by Ava DuVernay, which is based on the life of Isabel Wilkerson as she writes her non-fiction book Caste: Origins of Our Discontents. Ms. Wilkerson, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, was asked by a publisher to write an article about the death of Trayvon Martin which would explore how racism played a major role in the incident. However, Ms. Wilkerson believed racism could not be the only reason. Why would a man of color, a Latino, pursue a black youth in an effort to protect a white neighborhood?  Could there be other reasons beyond race? Wilkerson's quest to unearth answers to these questions took her on an adventure to locations in the United States, Germany and India. Her purpose was to find reasons for racial disharmony that goes beyond the simple answer of racism. Ms. Wilkerson's conclusion is that racism in the United States is a type of caste system.  Let's discuss...

American Fiction (Film) Review - Get Ready to Laugh, Cry and Think

 

                                           American Fiction movie poster courtesy of Wikipedia

American Fiction is a movie directed by Cord Jefferson, who also wrote the screenplay, which is based on the book Erasure by Percival Everett. 

 Per the MGM website, 

        "AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain."

Let's discuss....