Support Group

http://www.dbsamadison.com/

Support Group for folks dealing with Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Radical Acceptance

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/health/man-uses-his-schizophrenia-to-gather-clues-for-daily-living.html?_r=1&src=tp&smid=fb-share

Here is a beautiful example of Radical Acceptance and adaptation.

Mindfulness in motion

I teach all of my clients mindfulness practice. The great thing about mindfulness is that it doesn't have to take up any extra time and there are countless activities we do in the day that we can bring a mindful awareness to in a disciplined and deliberate way; bathing, eating, cleaning, reading, driving, parenting, listening, sitting, driving, talking, walking, smelling, thinking, seeing.....
You don't have to stop, sit, and be mindful. You can practice mindfulness in motion no matter how busy your schedule.


http://www.tricycle.com/community/how-train-wild-elephant-and-other-adventures-mindfulness

Check out this great guided meditation.

http://heathermartin.ssivipassana.org/?p=216

Teen Client Wisdom: Sometimes life throws you punches, and you just have to take it.

Being Mindful=Bringing your mind and body to the same space

rock and roll wisdom

"When you're depressed, hard work is the cure. The next time you're depressed, go out into the back yard and dig a 6 foot hole. But don't jump in just yet." Robert Pollard, (Guided by Voices, Boston Spaceships etc etc)

Happy Mix Tape

When you are depressed, feeling blue etc etc one idea to help take your mind of your troubles is to make a mix cd of happy songs. I suggested this to a musically competent client the other day. Here is what she burned:
1. Arcade Fire No Cars Go
2. David Bowie Moonage Daydream
3. The Dead Weather Cut Like a Buffalo
4. Franz Ferdinand Jacqueline
5. Hot Hot Heat Middle of Nowhere
6. How I Became the Bomb A Formal Occasion
7. MGMT Electric Feel
8. Modest Mouse Parting of the sensory
9. Noisettes I we
10. Pheonix 1901
11. Prince Litte Red Corvette
12. Rooney Shakin
13. Spoon Don't Make me a Target
14. The Strokes Juice Box
15. The White Stripes Fell in love with a Girl

Try it out, see if it helps.

even the correct decision has a down side

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

Vicktor Frankl

my avoidance

I'm getting messages from the universe (and others) that I need to start posting again. Is it laziness or avoidance? I think probably avoidance. So what am I avoiding? I've been thinking a lot lately about avoidance and why we do it. It's probably the number one defense mechanism we humans have. We avoid perceived pain. The pain of difficult emotions, the pain of facing the consequences of our actions, the pain of seeing hurt in someone else, the pain of the truth about ourselves....the list goes on. Before we decide to be courageous and face what we generally avoid I think it's useful just to notice our avoidance. Notice the times we turn away or delay or pretend not to see. Just pay attention to it. This is hard enough. What I avoid: talking about money with my spouse, talking to my son about sex/sexuality, organizing my desk/office, signing up for yoga class, a growing list of projects around the house, seeking guidance from others, showing my vulnerabilities, confronting clients about missed appointments, going to the doctor, scales, chores, auto maintenance, practicing guitar, meditation, church.......