Benefits of Mindfulness

I have to admit that I am new to this whole mindfulness movement. But once I read Calming Your Anxious Mind, a self-help book that teaches mindfulness theory and techniques, I was sold. Huffington Post recently published an article listing 20 benefits of mindfulness practice, I wish to list a few here.

Mindfulness:

• lowers your perceived stress levels
• may increase your marks at school
• helps us to get to know ourselves
• makes moments, such as listening to music, better
• is a protective factor during cold season
• lowers depression risk
• improves sleep
• overall, makes you a better person.

Eliminating the Poor-bashing around us

It was about five years ago that the CBC reported that forty percent of the world’s wealth was owned by one percent of the world’s population.  There has been an ever increasing gap between the wealthy, and the common-day worker, as the occupy movement so overtly showed.  It has been claimed that the wealthiest in North America are so out of touch that they needed to go undercover and perform work expectation tasks (that they usually cannot complete in adequate time) in a reality show called “Undercover Boss”.  This show is meant to encourage the boss to feel sympathy for the lowly worker.  However, Jean Swanson, an anti-poverty activist, would argue that this is a form of poor-bashing.

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Read the rest at Notes on Parenting.

It's Your Life... Own It!

Jessie Clark, now Jessie Funk has turned from releasing music to writing motivational books, specifically for youth.

I got my, surprisingly, autographed copy from Jessie Funk telling me to remember the power I have.

This book includes personal stories from Funk, activities, and motivational quotes. Her book is broken into 10 parts, with an intro activity called Frisbee Face.

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Read the rest at Notes on Parenting.

Violence Against Women: Vulnerable Populations

Violence Against Women: Vulnerable Populations is a book of collected researches by Douglas Brownridge. He looks at women in vulnerable positions that put them at risk for intimate partner violence, better known as domestic abuse or violence.

These vulnerable populations researched by Brownridge are as follows:

1. Cohabiting Women
2. Women in Post-Separation
3. Women in Stepfamilies
4. Women who Rent
5. Rural Women
6. Aboriginal Women
7. Immigrant Women
8. Women with Disabilities

It's an interesting read for anyone who works with women, especially in one of these vulnerable populations.

I remember once I was working with a female client who was mentally ill (suffering from extreme bouts of depression), Aboriginal, living in a rural community (a reservation), who just got over a relationship and just moved into their new boyfriends apartment (implying a rental home); and I got concerned for her wellbeing because I remembered these categories being outlined by Brownridge as vulnerable situations for women. The client and I proceeded to implement safety plans into her network so that, despite her vulnerability, she could feel safe.

Now of course, with any kind of risk factors, they are indicators, they do not guarantee that domestic violence is happening.  A women could be married for 30 years, living in an owned urban house and she could be experiencing violence, despite not being in a vulnerable population.  The same could be said about my previous client, despite the vulnerable position she was in, and without my assistance, she may have been in a violent free relationship.  Everyone's system is different.  No two people are alike, despite the similarity in scenarios.

You can check out the book here, or learn about Douglas Brownridge here.

New Books on Marriage & Divorce

A California MFT posted on his blog some books to check out for modern marriage and divorce.  I recommend checking them out as well!

Read Ben Caldwell's blog here, or follow him on Twitter.

Book Recommendation: Playing With Fire

I don't think I have done a plug for this book, Playing With Fire by Theo Fleury.  I must recommend it, of course it must come with a little warning.  Theo Fleury is very blunt in writing and explaining his story.  He lets emotions go loose, which lets you feel how he felt.

I did get to meet Theo at a book signing in Saskatoon.  It was well worth the 2.5 hour wait to say to him: "Thanks for writing this book for my clients."  Since at the time I was a Counsellor at a Sexual Assault Centre, and I was trying to let my male clients know that they were not alone.  It is a must read to understand the effect abuse, especially sexual abuse, has on ones life.

If you don't have time to read, I do recommend you watch the Fifth Estate episode by CBC called The Fall and Rise of Theo Fleury.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

Check out the new post on Essential Fathers. It's a review of the book done by Meg Meeker, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know.

If clicking the link doesn't work, copy and past this URL:

http://essentialfathers.blogspot.com/2010/04/strong-fathers-strong-daughters.html

Parenting Tips to help Children reach Potential

As seen in the Battleford's News Optimist.

At the conclusion of a book titled Hayley Westenra: The World at Her Feet there are recommendations from the parents of this internationally known signer. Of course, their parenting tips do not mean that your child will become famous, but they will help you help your child reach their full potential, whatever that may be.

First is do anything. Let your child be engaged in as many activities as possible, so that they get exposed to the many things this world has to offer. Especially when they are young, because as they grow old, school takes a priority and some activities may be missed.

Second is to do everything to help your child in their interests. Expose them to their interest in all kinds of settings to make sure that this is truly what they want to do.

Third is to trust the child. They will naturally figure out what they are good at. You need to trust them when they say they would rather do activity B over activity A.

Fourth is to go with the flow. That is don’t try to reroute your child’s interest in a particular activity, even if you think it may not be worthwhile.

Fifth is to have low expectations. Often parents set very high expectations for their child. These goals are then out of reach and then not reached by the child. This could be discouraging to the child and prevent them from pursuing their interests. Have realistic expectations. Let them know that people make mistakes, and that those can be used as opportunities to learn.

Sixth is to be there for them. Through highs and lows you need to be reachable for your child. You may also need to stand by them as you go with them through their interests.

Seventh is to ask for help. Your child, at first, will most likely turn to you for guidance, if you don’t help them they will look else where for their answers. So, when your child asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to, get help. There will always be someone willing to supply the answer, but it may take some time to get that answer. Once you have the answer, give it to your child.

Eighth is to prioritize. You can’t do all and be all. Some things will need to take a backseat as you help your discover their interests.

Ninth, and most of all enjoy yourself! If your child sees that you are enjoying helping them pursue their interests, it won’t seem to them that you are sacrificing your life for them. Plus, if both of you are having fun, no time is really being lost.

Remember that these are just some guidelines they are not rules. You know, and your child knows, what is best for them. Follow your gut as you lead your child through their interests in life, which will become their interest for life.

Book Recommendation: Alisa Goodwin Snell

I believe I have made a plug for this book before. But I feel I should do it again, since I have given this book a thorough read now. Before I just loved it because of a presentation I heard about it by the author.

I recommend Dating Game Secrets For Marrying A Good Man. I realize the book seems directed at women (marketing decision I believe), but the principals within are great for any single. There are three parts to the book: Be Safe, Be Confident, Be Successful. My favourite part of the book is the 3-date rule. These rules can help men and women identify someone who is potentially abusive or manipulative.

If you are single, and struggling, pick this book up.

Book Recommendation: Sacred Innocence, there is life after abuse

I recommend this book! Check it out!

Book Recommendation: Dating Game Secrets for Marrying a Good Man