Altruistic Expression

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

It really doesn’t matter what side of the track we grew up on, privileged economics or challenged; it is important to share with those less fortunate. If you were economically challenged and your childhood was filled with a need for more, step up for those children suffering today. Why? Because you know what it feels like to be deprived.

I believe altruistic people are miracle workers. I love the warm energy that fills the room from someone who authentically cares about others. This sense of community is really contagious. If you are part of a group of volunteers, you know how this energy empowers; it feels like the sun.

If you are part of a family that helps others, I’m sure this gift of love is instilled within you; tap into it and make the world a better place.

Since I started volunteering in a shelter in my community and at a hospital, my life has been positively charged. I do not give a lot of time to the hospital, but prioritizing a few hours a year lifts my spirit. I wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything. I’ve never been a volunteer of the week, month, or year, and I’m sure my future doesn’t hold this recognition, but I’m good with this! My heart grows each and every time I devote any time to others in need. It's really sacred. 

I hope my actions have instilled altruistic traits within my kids and will play a part in their world as they enter adulthood. This would be a beautiful legacy to leave!

What are your thoughts; all for one or one for all?

The Gift from Being in the Trenches of Behavioral Chaos

The book, Your Mother Wears Combat Boots by Williams E. Wilson

Williams' book is inspiring and I encourage this good read! You get to have a glimpse of a young psychologist as he steps onto his career path. I like William Wilson's candor in describing his encounters at the school for challenged teens in Detroit. I can only imagine the trepidation he experienced as a new graduate stepping into the trenches with teenagers as a first job; these adolescents had been thrown out of other schools not once, not twice, but at least three times before being sent there.

William struggles to find innovative ways to reach these kids. His efforts eventually seeded success as a teacher-student learning environment was resurrected in his classroom.

He spends three years at the school teaching, and although this time is short-lived, he finds his way through the turmoil and positively influences the boys. Not only does he make his mark, but his students also make a mark by instilling lifelong impressions upon him, gifting invaluable insight for his career as a psychologist. His time with the boys made William want to work in the human services field, helping to perhaps proactively counter the effects of poverty, broken homes, inner city hardship, and other adversities kids face.   

He practiced in the field for over 30 years before retiring, pursuing his passion for photography and now as an author.

I encourage you to click here to purchase his book.  Be sure to use the link; otherwise, you might mistakenly purchase one authored by someone else. William Wilson’s book will be a heartfelt read!

Belief in Self

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I like the recommendations detailed on Inc.com about improving self-confidence. Here are some of their suggestions:

“…Never accept failure. There is a solution to everything, so why would you want to throw in the towel? Make this your new mantra. Succeeding through great adversity is a huge confidence booster… Learn everything there is to know about your field, job, presentation--whatever is next on your "to conquer" list. If you are prepared, and have the knowledge to back it up, your self-confidence will soar… Sit down right now and make a list of all the things in your life that you are thankful for, and another list of all the things you are proud of accomplishing. Once your lists are complete, post them on your refrigerator door, on the wall by your desk, on your bathroom mirror--somewhere where you can easily be reminded of what an amazing life you have and what an amazing person you really are. If you feel your self-confidence dwindling, take a look at those lists and let yourself feel and be inspired all over again by you.”

Many times, for me, inside, it feels like I am dying a slow death, but on the outside, I push myself to dive into whatever I am reaching into that is new. Many, many times I think, “What the heck have I got myself into” as I’m stepping into the intimidating realm but I am loyal to my word so once I commit, I attempt to follow through. Sometimes, I’m happier in the aftermath, and other times, I’m just happy to put it behind me. I figure this is it, so why not get out there and try to reach for the stars. I do use a very simple mantra when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I say, “I’ve got this” and I just keep telling myself this until I’m through the experience.

Perhaps this isn’t the healthiest of ways to motivate, but if I feel like my fear is trying to hold me back, many times I get angry about it, and the energy generated from this anger trumps my anxiety, and this allows me to ride the wave, so to speak.

The healthiest way to embrace any experience is to enter it with a curious energy. When we can do this, we are mindfully present, and this mindset enables us to fully process whatever we are experiencing.

I am fearful often, but I also realize that I need to push through this fear to enable my growth, so, whatever it takes, I push forward and overcome. It usually works for me, and sometimes it doesn’t, but the trend is more positive than not.

How do you rate your own self-confidence? What helps you get through adversity? Share your secrets with me!

Magnetic Powers

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I’m offering details about magnets' power, but scientific data does not support this healing market. Considering this, why are so many people buying into this potential cure?

It is a really interesting topic, and there is a lot of online research, much of it talking about how this forum was used even thousands of years ago. Does this mean it works? No, not really, but it means we’ve been working with magnets for a very long time, and for some reason, they are still being used as a holistic healing option. WebMD discusses that the body generates natural magnetic fields such as the nervous system. From a basic perspective, if someone is having issues with their body’s magnetic field, perhaps exposing this individual to another magnetic field, one used in a medical forum might offer relief? Can one speculate that it could alter the body’s field in a positive way? I am far from a scientist; this is all very much over my head, but there are specialists in the world, and I’m hopeful further research will link healing abilities with magnetic fields.

I believe in the power of the mind, and perhaps those who offer testimonies of magnet healing truly believe this, but could their mind have overpowered their illness instead of the work of the magnetic fields?

Who knows, really? But I know this for sure: if the use of a magnet were to make me feel better, I would continue to use this magnet!

What are your thoughts about this potential healing source? Have you ever tried to use a magnet to ease your suffering? Did it work? Leave me a note.

Life's Equilibrium

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A recent news story about the Moth Story Slam detailed on Detroit’s Channel 4 news inspired this article. This Moth Story Slam is sweeping the nation. It is where individuals go on stage to share 5-minute true stories from their lives; it is theme-based. The forum allows these individuals to be heard. Stories may be funny, sad, upbeat, and so on. On the update broadcast, I heard a guy talking about his challenge to balance his life equilibrium, and this resonated.

It seems like I am always chasing a mind, body and spiritual balance. Most of the time, I work to align one while the others become a lower priority. As of late, it's my physical body; I shared about 1 month ago that I started the Body Shred program. What I like about this is that it works on physical balance, but this also gifts some spiritual balance; I’m experiencing a yin-yang. Of course, this is challenging because I feel like I’m dying a slow death each morning as my body hurdles awkwardly through the workout, but in the aftermath, spiritually and psychologically, it feels pretty awesome.

I’m prompting a change for a healthier body. Both halves of this change are chasing each other, but as long as I continue on my path, I will better myself, and the halves will come together, charging the vibration or rhythm of my life equilibrium.

What yin-yangs are you going through in your life currently? Are you able to grasp both sides of the whole? Tell me about it.

Two Minds

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I sincerely believe that when we develop trust-worthy relationships, sharing our life troubles and times of triumph is worthwhile. This is how we learn and how we grow. Holding onto hardship privately only feeds a dark energy. It creates deeper pain, and the secrecy surrounding it suppresses toxins. If you have a trustworthy loved one, lean on this person and allow the interaction to relieve your psyche. If you do not have anyone you can trust, reach out to your community. Many non-profit organizations are ready to interface with you if you just reach out for help. These workers will speak to you confidentially and be there so you can unload your heavy burden; many do not charge for this service. Safehouse Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a domestic violence shelter, but the crisis line offers referral numbers and a compassionate, trained worker who will be empathetic and nonjudgmental to any crisis you are suffering. If it isn’t DV-related, the crisis worker will still provide feedback in the form of phone numbers for other businesses that specialize in helping you with whatever you are suffering. The crisis phone #, which is staffed 24 hours a day/7 days a week, is (734) 995-5444.

Stop holding it all in. Does it really feel healthy to do this?

If you can afford it, therapy with a professional is worthwhile to explore. If you haven’t already tried it, give it a shot because your well-being is worth the extra effort.

You can even share your burden with me through this blog, and I’ll do my best to offer sound feedback. Even if you share Anonymously, it will still help. Think about it and get back with me, I’ll be here waiting.

Birthday Celebration

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This past week I had my 46^th birthday and we celebrated my son’s 19^th birthday. It seems like July gifts many births, including the birth of our freedom, which is celebrated on the 4^th of July (along with my brother’s birthday). We took our RV up north into the Upper Peninsula for a few fun days. While we were leaving Brimley, Michigan, we actually got caught up in a 4^th of July parade, it took us an extra 45 minutes to get out of the town but it was definitely something to talk about. I had been in a celebratory state of mind, and the parade was icing on the cake!

Here is the birthday detail that blogthings.com shared about my birthday; 7/1/1969:

“You are a natural born leader, even if those leadership talents haven't been developed yet.

You have the power and self confidence to succeed in life, and your power grows daily.

Besides power, you also have a great deal of creativity that enables you to innovate instead of fail.

You are a visionary, seeing the big picture instead of all of the trivial little details.

Your strength: Your supreme genius

Your weakness: Your inappropriate sensitivity

Your power color: Gold

Your power symbol: Star

Your power month: January”

PaulSadowski.org offered this, which I like, “Your fortune cookie reads:

Your everlasting patience will be rewarded sooner or later.” I guess this helps to energize my hope!

Whether you view this stuff as entertainment or take it seriously, it’s fun to sort through. Give it a shot, and drop me a note with your thoughts. I’m curious.