Triggers, continued

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I am really amazed by the work of an art therapist and I can’t wait until I’m out in the field doing this work. Art has been medicine for me since as far back as I can remember. I love to mentor and help people so I feel like I will finally be fulfilling my soul work although I’m embarking on this adventure a bit late in my life. It took me until my early forties to finally gather enough courage to change career choices. The artist in me has been aching to get out!

I’m hopeful to get accepted into a doctorate program for Art Therapy once I finish my Master’s in mental health counseling. I still have a long road ahead of me but because I am really interested and passionate about it, it is actually going by faster than I would have thought. I am learning that there really is something in the journey. If I don’t look at it this way, it would be torturous since the destination is still very far on the horizon.

I can’t wait to be able to look at someone’s drawing and be able to get some insight about the person’s psyche that drew it. It is crazy that there is really rhyme or reason to this type of interpretation. As I learn about it, I’ll share it with you.

Hopefully you’ll gain some insight that may benefit you somewhere in your life!

Does creativity have a place in your life right now? I bet you, even if you don’t believe it does, if we talked I could prove to you that you are creative. What do you think?

Express don't suppress

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I just completed a class on adolescent prevention and intervention. It amazes me how teens today are dealing with the overwhelming stimulation for 24/7 technology and social impact. Think about being in a body that is adult size, surging with hormones, but having a mind that isn’t emotionally mature enough to fully navigate the world yet. Sounds pretty crazy to me. How do they cope? 

Though self-expression (like continually changing their hair style), through connection with others in their social network and even by combating life through self-centeredness. Yes, this is the teens way of defending his or herself from a world that may feel like it is evading.

The teen years can be volatile but giving them a safe and loving environment, sticking to a consistent and ethical message, and by staying involved (whether he or she likes it or not), you can help your young adult find his or her way through the difficulties.

If you're beginning this adventure, be courageous, and you both will persevere!

Do you have teenagers in your life? How are they coping? How are you managing in the sidelines? Drop me a note and let's talk!

Success in a relationship, continued...

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I recently purchased a book tape from Barnes and Noble called The Top 50 Psychology Classics and it compares many psychologists and the messages they convey within a series of each of their books. As an up-and-coming Mental Health Counselor, I love this stuff. I didn’t realize it but Carl Jung is the psychologist who is credited for initially discovering this dimension of personality.

When I think of my ex-husband, I think that we were more opposite than alike but with my fiancé, it is different, we have had similar upbringings, and, because of this, we have a lot of the same traits, goals and beliefs about life but, as I say in the article I am an introvert and he is extrovert. Maybe this is what is meant by “opposites attract”?

Are you in a relationship? Do you have opposite personalities or are you both introverts or extraverts? What are your thoughts about this?

Looking towards the horizon, career conquest, continued...

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Between my fiancé and I, we have 4 young adults between the ages of 17 and 20 years of age. The 2 oldest have been experimenting with community college trying to establish routines that embrace the responsibility of a school workload on top of jobs while attempting to cope through the pressure of determining what career path they really want to embrace. One has changed his degree plan in the past year and the other has focused on getting basic classes fulfilled in a general science degree while he figures out the rest. It seems a bit loose, in general, but when I think back to my dedication at this young age, I was more focused on full-time work without even attempting school. I didn’t go to college for my first degree until after working a couple of years following my high school graduation. Although, I had chosen my career path, in business, during these years I was putting in many hours at the office.

We’ll be taking my 18-year-old son up to Michigan Tech University in three weeks. He’ll be staying on campus; the school is over 11 hours from our home. He is passionate about computers and so he is pursuing a degree in computer engineering. I think this is a good path for him and I’m hopeful he’ll step up to the workload and have some fun along the way.

We have 1 last teenager in high school and, at this point, we’re just happy to get her to graduation. She is creative and into drama/theater with her intention set on Eastern Michigan University. She will need to work hard to get the grades to be accepted but, if not, she’ll have to adjust her plan and persevere.

As for me, if you follow my blog you know I’m in the midst of changing careers, going from business management to entering the counseling field. I’ll have my Master’s Degree at this time next year. Even though I’ve changed careers, my business and leadership experience will only enhance my work in counseling! As I said in the article, if you follow your passion, you’re not making a career choice mistake. As I get further into the field of counseling, I will eventually open my own business and, at this time, all of my experience and schooling will be working together to help me achieve my calling and career success. It is rather exciting when I thing about it!

What are you passionate about? Does your work enhance this passion?

Criticize or compliment, continued...

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When I was younger I used to talk crap about and to others and I could have really cared less about myself. It was a time when I tried to fulfill from the outside in; this didn’t work. It is no wonder why I had so much drama in my life! I have learned a great deal about myself and about real support. I find the realization that the opposite of criticize is compliment, and this is pretty cool. As the article points out, I like how they both give back; it’s just a matter of picking good verses evil.

Today in my forties, I work hard to not to criticize, although, I do find myself comparing more than criticizing these days. Do you think this is more of a woman thing or a Kathy thing? I might say, “I wish I had that woman’s waistline!” And, if it is someone flaunting an unflattering body, I’ll say, “I admire that person’s confidence!”

I really do want to boost the spirit of the world, not bring it down. I’m leading the compliment parade. Which line are you in?

Leave me a note and let’s talk about it!