I, Therapist

How are you living?

My fellow therapists, counselors, and friends with skills: How is it going? Are you getting the help you need? Pastors, who listens to you when you’re troubled? Man, if you are like me–have a heart for those that are hurting–then you need some TLC yourself. Once, while I was in graduate school (MA degree) and one of my professors brought of the subject “crying.” And I immediately said “on whose part?” Of course, the room erupted with laughter, because she was talking about what we could do if clients began to cry. Of course, we were laughing because we all imagined a therapist crying uncontrollably as the client sat there very calm and “professionally.”

Now some 20 years later, I know very well that I could cry when listening to some stories. So what to do? We hear some interesting, very complex stories (some of us all day long). What do you do? Are you talking to your colleagues? Do you have a mentor? Are you detaining strangers on the subway? Well, I don’t know how you’re living, but I’m going dancing tonight. Yup, give me a good ‘ol school song and I’m prepared to hear and respond to another day of difficult, stuck, intricate stories from the lives of people who are as human as I am.

I, Therapist

Got Therapy?

I do. I got and I need it.
Yes, therapists need a
therapist. It ain’t easy
being in this place,
position of service.
If you’re a therapist,
reach out to me; I’m reaching
out to you. Now, if you’re super
therapist–got your act together
don’t waste your time on me
I’m looking for a therapist
who know how hard it is
to take care of her/himself and
be there for clients.
Let’s take care of each other.

Diversity/Inclusion

“Inclusion:” The New Diversity

I like the word diversity, but some people
cant’ get over the idea that it means
Black and White. Whatever. So let’s talk
inclusion. Inclusion is more inclusive, I guess
; at least it sounds that way. You think of
everyone: tall, short, attractive, not so, old,
young, educated, un, skinny, not so. Well
you get my meaning. Now that we’ve upgraded
the word, what will you do to upgrade your
inclusive behavior. The word does not change
me in any significant ways. I still have to
consider how I may be excluding those
who is not like me. The heart of the
matter does not change for me; I will
still do occasional self-checks to make sure
that I am including those who exclude me–
that I am honoring and respecting their
ideas even when I flatly disagree. So,
no matter what its called, I have so much
work to do on myself, so far to go before I
get there. What about you? How’s your
journey?

Relationships

How’s it going

From what I’ve heard, not too well.
We just can’t do what our parents did.
How in the world did they stay together?
I know, I know, but do you suppose
that they valued what they had built
together over what they could achieve
separately. I don’t know, but I think
they may have been on to something.
Let me know what you think,

Diversity/Inclusion

Change Begins With An “A”

What do you want to be different? It is so simple. All
you have to do is change your behavior. Do something
else. If you want to lose weight, then eat the foods
that will help you do that and exercise in a way
that will work for you. You want to change your
career: go back to school, get a mentor, or start
a new business. Change does not begin with a “C”
it begins with an “A” for action. If our world is going
to be better then we must change the way
we treat each other. This includes the environment
Something as simple as picking up a piece of garbage
is a wonderful start. Do something
different and you’ll get the change you seek. It’s that
simple.

Liberation Therapy

Why Liberation

Because freedom opens up more possibilities. There’s room for change, growth, and more ideas. If we open up the doors for more options, we’re sure to find a solution that works. If we limit the number of ways that we can get from A to B then we may stay stuck, which means no change. Try doing something totally out of the realm of what you thought was possible. Let me know what happens. I know, it’s magical.

Fabyoulous

Still Fabyoulous

Two years into this thing and I’m still going strong. What are you doing? How ya’ livin’? Life is great. Both my children are out of the house and we’re single again. Of course AC (after children) we’re still parents, but the day-to-day is different. They’re both in college. Thank goodness they’re finding their way. Anyway, I’m doing some exciting things. You know, it really is never too late to start over. I don’t bemoan any decision that I made the first half of my life. I did what I did. But today is another day. And today, I’ll start from here. Did anyone see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? What food for thought. I’m doing this life. If you want to enjoy yours, you’d better do the same. Talk back to me. Peace

Just Thinking

Introducing Dr. Nixon

Debra Ann Nixon is a family therapy
graduate professor, inspirational speaker,
author and relationship consultant. Her unique
perspective on relationships, is “everything”
“is about relationships… it just a mater of context.”
An extraordinary and passionate international lecturer,
she also is author of a half dozen books, and is the
founder of Liberation Outreach International,
a spiritual community dedicated to service and personal
development.

An avid champion for inclusion, Dr. Nixon’s

Topics Tailored to
Your Specific Needs
and Goals

Leadership
A provocative and inspiring workshop on the importance of leadership in embracing and inviting inclusion in the workplace. Dr. Nixon provides poignant examples of prominent leaders’ use of inclusion and the resulting success and/or failure. Powerful.

Communication
Language is perhaps the most important tool in creating a fine-tuned, well-functioning organization. Too often people underestimate the art and simplicity of open, honest interfacing. This workshop demonstrates the effective use of language and challenges and educates people to use words to create a more inviting work environment.

Leveraging Different Strengths
Every person has a special gift to contribute to the growth and well being of their organization; not all gifts are given the proper respect; and not all gifts have been given due prominence and appreciation. Dr. Nixon helps individuals assess and access specific gifts and helps leadership with the talent placement and positioning for optimum productivity.

Team (community) Building
At the end of the day, people want to feel valued; they want to feel accepted; they want to feel good about showing up for work. They want to enjoy a work environment, which means they know that they are liked for who they are and that they don’t have to pretend to be somebody or something that they are not. Dr. Nixon can take the most diverse group and creates a tight-knit community while maintaining the integrity each individual’s identity. Unity does not mean uniformity; but it is possible to create unity from diversity.

Additional presentations topics include: Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Managing Anxiety, and Personal and Professional development

I’ll have more to say later, just wanted to introduce myself for now

Diversity/Inclusion

Want Something Different?

Yup, then you’ve got to do something different. I am the queen–yes the queen– of diversity. I call myself the Do Something Different Diva because it is the name of the movement that I help to launch at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale Florida. We are in the process of creating a more welcoming and inclusive university campus from the grassroots up. Our campus is one of the most diverse environments in South Florida. It is a place of higher learning that has attracted students from all over the globe. We aim to keep ’em coming, so we are doing our part to let everyone know that we want them to not only stay with us until they graduate, but we want them to enjoy our company while they’re with us.

So, “Do Something Different” is about every one taking it upon themselves to do the things that help to make our campus the kind of place that they can feel good about. Yes, we are holding ourselves responsible for creating this very safe, caring community. For example, I speak to everyone that I pass because I value people. I smile at people I don’t know because I believe in the healing power of a smile. Now, what would make this work for me is that everyone that I speak to or smile at would speak and smile at me. But, for it become viral when these same people speak to and smile at someone else–it continues to multiply. Before you know it, we have a different campus environment–we have made the difference that we seek. We will have created a real community. Now, if this is corny it is because we have allowed ourselves to forget that we are truly noble and magnanimous caring, people. Try it, and then let me know how it works. i can’t wait to hear your story.

Peace and do something different

Your DSD Diva!