Who Makes You Feel
~Dido~

I don't touch you the way I used to
I don't call and write when I'm away
We don't make love as often as we did do
What couldn't wait now waits and usually goes away

But listen and think when I say it
Oh but listen and think when I say it
Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel
Who loves you and knows you the way I do
Who touches you and holds you quite like I do
Who makes you feel like I make you feel

I don't mind if you come home late
I don't ever ask where you've been
I just assume if there's a problem you will tell me

But listen and think when I say it
Oh but listen and think when I say it
Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel
Who loves you and knows you the way I do
Who touches you and holds you quite like I do
Who makes you feel like I make you feel
Who makes you feel like I make you feel
Who makes you feel like I make you feel

Being weak when I am strong
Being seen, who you are
Being sad and love's not alone

But listen and think when I say it
Oh but listen and think when I say it
Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel
Who loves you and knows you the way I do
Who touches you and holds you quite like I do
Who makes you feel like I make you feel

It's October already?! Well to make up for a missed month of posts...here are some cute & funnyz to enjoy!

~Peace, Love & Happiness~

Psych Series #9

Psych Series #9: Stages of Personality Development

This week's 'Psych Series' is taking us back to the good ole college days of Psych 101. There are several theoretical models of personality development that we could review. Today I have chosen to bring you Sullivan's Interpersonal Theory.

Sullivan initially followed Freud and his intrapersonal view. He later developed his own theoretical framework based on interpersonal relationships. Sullivan's model spans from infancy through late adolescence and describes the major developmental tasks humans must accomplish during each stage. Happy reading and keep an eye out for more developmental theories and Psych 101 refreshers coming soon!

Sullivan's Stages of Personality Development

Infancy: Birth to 18 Months
Major Developmental Task:

• Gratification of needs - this is accomplished through such activities as crying, nursing, and thumb sucking.

Childhood: 18 Months to 6 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Learning to experience a delay in personal gratification without undue anxiety - this is accomplished using tools including the mouth, the anus, language, experimentation, manipulation, and identification
  

Juvenile: 6 To 9 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Forming satisfactory relationships within peer groups - this is accomplished using competition, cooperation, and compromise.

Preadolescence: 9 To 12 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Developing relationships with persons of the same sex - this stage is where we learn to initiate feelings of affection for another person and show love.

Early Adolescence: 12 To 14 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Developing a sense of identity that is separate and independent from parents
  
• Forming satisfactory relationships with members of the opposite sex - biological changes and the emergence of lust occur during this stage
  

Late Adolescence: 14 To 21 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Establishing self-identity or interdependence within society
• Experiencing satisfying relationships
• Working to develop a lasting, intimate relationship with a member of the opposite sex

Sullivan based his theory on the belief that all behavior is aimed at relieving or preventing anxiety. He believed that fulfilling all requirements in a person's physicochemical environment (oxygen, food, warmth, tenderness, rest, activity, water, sexual expression, etc) led to the satisfaction of needs. When a person has all needs met, Sullivan believed there was an overall sense of total well-being and interpersonal security. Sullivan identified what he called the 'self-system', a collection of experiences individuals use to protect against anxiety. Within this system, Sullivan identified three components:

• "Good Me" - personality that develops in response to positive feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of pleasure, contentment, and gratification.
• "Bad Me" - personality that develops in response to negative feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of anxiety leading to discomfort, displeasure, and distress.
• "Not Me" - personality that develops in response to situations that produce intense anxiety. Individuals experience feelings of horror, awe, dread, and loathing. These feelings in turn lead to the child denying the feelings in order to relieve anxiety, thus becoming "not me." This type of withdrawal from emotions may lead to mental disorders in adult life.

By using the concepts of Sullivan's theory, we can assist individuals to achieve a higher degree of independent and interpersonal functioning.

As always, wishing you all peace, love and happiness! Look for more Psych 101 refreshers and theoretical models coming soon!

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13 (excerpt)

Wishing you all Peace, LOVE, and Happiness!

Artistic X-rays

I have been mesmerized by Dutch artist/photographer, Albert Koetsier, who has perfected x-rays as art. Here are some samples of his work & work he inspired...enjoy!








Wishing you all peace, love & happiness!

Passing the Torch

With a huge sigh of relief, I pass the torch onto the next lucky lady! Today marks the last day of my appointment scheduling duties for work...and I couldn't be more relieved! It has definitely been a mammoth project. I've enjoyed it for the most part, but with changes in staffing, shifts, and responsibility, it was definitely time to donate this project to someone else...more available during "regular business hours." Congrats to S.V. on her "promotion" to scheduler! Much luck to her (she'll do great). I start this next chapter with plans for an updated pharmacy, improved supply maintenance and alterations to the basic department layout. Big changes ahead....can't wait! Here's to the next chapter!

Wishing you all peace, love, & happiness!

Psych Series #8

Psych Series #8: Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure (PNES)

Recently we have noticed an increase in the number of medical emergencies we are responding to at work for "seizure activity." A friend said to me the other day, "How can there be so many people having seizures in one facility? In my entire life, I've only known one person who had a seizure, yet you are seeing these girls have them on an almost daily basis!!" In response, I have chosen to bring you all some general information on epileptic and non-epileptic seizure disorders. Happy reading!

What is a seizure? In general a seizure is "a temporary loss of control, often with abnormal movements, unconsciousness, or both." Epileptic seizures are caused by "a sudden, abnormal electrical discharge from the brain." Other causes of seizures can include brain injury, alcohol withdrawal, extremely high fever, lead poisoning, infections involving the brain, brain tumors, or withdrawal from certain medications.

Epileptic Seizures

• Can be caused by any process that disrupts the stability of the neuronal cell membrane.
• Involves 3 classifications - genetic, acquired, or idiopathic.
  
• Seizures are also classified according to age of onset, cause, area of origin in the brain, EEG abnormalities, and clinical symptoms during seizure activity.

Types of Seizures in Epilepsy

1. Partial - focal or local

• Motor activity or involuntary movements are generally limited to an upper extremity, entire limb, and/or one side of the face.
• Sensory phenomena may develop such as numbness or tingling to the affected area.
• Autonomic system stimulation results in epigastric sensations, pallor, sweating, "goose bumps", rapid heart beat, and rapid breathing.
• May produce an "aura" such as a strange noise, smell, or visual disturbances.
• May exhibit "automatisms" or automatic behaviors such as lip-smacking, chewing, patting a part of the body, or picking at clothing.

2. Generalized

• Lead to a loss of consciousness.
• May be convulsive or nonconvulsive.
• Manifestations involve both hemispheres of the brain.
• Include: Absence, Myoclonic - sudden, uncontrolled jerking movements, Clonic - rhythmic muscular contraction and relaxation, Tonic - an abrupt increase in muscle tone and contraction, Tonic-Clonic, Atonic - total loss of muscle tone.

Psychogenic (non-epileptic) Seizures

• May resemble epileptic seizures, but do not involve abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.
• Are stress-related or "emotional."
• Are frequently misdiagnosed.
• Patients may exhibit different movements with each seizure.

Diagnosis

• EEG (electroencephalogram) with video monitoring - recording a patient for several hours to several days until seizure activity occurs.

Causes

• Emotional, stress-induced, and can result from traumatic psychological experiences.

Treatment

• Because PNES is a psychiatric condition, treatment mainly involves mental health professionals rather than a neurologist.
• Some treatments include:
• Psychotherapy
• Stress-reduction techniques like relaxation and biofeedback training
• Personal support to help with coping during treatment

So, if you or a loved one suffer from seizures and antiepileptic medications don't seem to help control them, evaluation for PNES may be indicated. Please remember, PNES are real seizures. Though they stem from emotional or stress-related issues, they are not "faked" events. Individuals with PNES need the same TLC and understanding we provide for epileptic patients.

As always, I wish you peace, love, and happiness this Spring!

• 
  

Life's Little Instructions

Sing in the shower
Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated
Watch a sunrise at least once a year
Leave the toilet seat in the down position
Never refuse homemade brownies
Strive for excellence, not perfection
Plant a tree on your birthday
Learn 3 clean jokes

Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full
Compliment 3 people every day
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them
Leave everything a little better than you found it
Keep it simple
Thing big thoughts but relish small pleasures
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know

Floss your teeth
Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it
Be forgiving of yourself and others
Overtip breakfast waitresses
Say "thank you" a lot
Say "please" a lot
Avoid negative people
Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards

Wear polished shoes
Remember other people's birthdays
Commit yourself to constant improvement
Carry jumper cables in your trunk
Have a firm handshake
Send lots of Valentine cards. Sign them, "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
Look people in the eye
Be the first to say, "Hello"

Use the good silver
Return all things you borrow
Make new friends but cherish the old ones
Keep secrets
Sing in a choir
Plant flowers every spring
Have a dog
Always accept an outstretched hand

Stop blaming others
Take responsibility for every area of your life
Wave at kids on school buses
Be there when people need you
Feed a stranger's expired parking meter
Don't expect life to be fair
Never underestimate the power of love

Drink champagne for no reason at all
Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation
Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake"
Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know"
Compliment even small improvements
Keep your promises (no matter what)
Marry only for love
Rekindle old friendships
Count your blessings
Call your mother

~H.J. Brown, Jr.

Psych Series #7

Psych Series #7: Addiction - Drama

Do you find yourself drawn to crises, panic, worry? Do you find yourself getting caught up in other people's drama over and over? Do you ever feel like you need to rescue others involved in dramatic situations? You may be addicted to drama.

We most often hear about addiction when talking about substances such as alcohol or illicit drugs. Other common addictions include gambling, sex, work, exercise, or eating disorders. Not as commonly discussed is the "high" some people get from being involved in dramatic situations. That's right, people can be addicted to just about anything, even drama!

What is addiction or addictive behavior?
"Any activity, substance, or behavior that has become the major focus of a person's life to the exclusion of other activities, or that has begun to harm the individual or others physically, mentally, or socially is considered an addictive behavior."

Addictive behaviors often bring about a sense of euphoria and may produce beta-endorphins, giving a person that sense of "high". A person involved in addictive behaviors may actually develop an addiction to his or her own brain chemicals.

So, how can you tell if a behavior is just a bad habit or an addiction? Here are some common characteristics of addictive behaviors:

• Obsession (constantly thinking about) with an object, activity, or substance.
• Engaging in the behavior even when it causes harm
• Compulsively engaging in the activity or behavior
• Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of the activity (irritability, craving, restlessness, or depression).
• Loss of control over when, how long, or how much he/she will continue the behavior.
• Denial that problems are resulting from he/her engagement in the behavior.
• Hiding the behavior from family and close friends
• "Blackouts" while engaging in behavior
• Depression
• Low self esteem
• Anxiety if he/she does not feel in control of his/her environment
• Family history of psychological or physical abuse

Now that we have defined the general characteristics of addictive behaviors...let's look specifically at addiction to drama!

Signs & Symptoms

• Experiencing one crisis or challenging situation after another, year after year
• Overreacting to stressful situations - panic, worry, anger
• Feeling powerless over life circumstances
• Blaming others/ not taking responsibility for his/her own life choices
• Retelling a story over and over to anyone who will listen
• Feeling the need to take care of or "rescue" others in dramatic situations
• Excessively gossiping about others' misfortunes

Why do people create drama? With any unhealthy behavior, there is a payoff. This is the sense of "high" previously noted. Common payoffs from creating drama include a sense of love, attention, safety, and security. Yet, these payoffs are often fleeting and short-lived. Once the drama stops, those feelings decrease. This promotes the vicious cycle of creating more and more drama to sustain that overall sense of well-being.

Tired of the cycle? Ready to make some healthy changes? Well, here are some ways to change your beliefs and behaviors to develop a healthier way to gain love, attention, safety & security. First, try to identify what the underlying need is....insight into what drives the behavior will help identify ways to change that behavior pattern. Other options include:

• Remember your strengths and skills
• Focus on solutions, not the problem
• Breathe and process your emotions instead of overreacting
• Take responsibility for your actions instead of blaming others
• Look for lessons/gifts in each situation
• Avoid retelling a story over and over again
• Find ways to keep a positive attitude during difficult times
• Move beyond the "victim" mentality
• Live in the present, let go of the past
• Enjoy the richness of peace and stillness
• Participate in calming mind/body practices such as yoga
• Avoid gossiping
• Stay out of others' business

Hope this helps you drama kings and queens out there to take a new approach to getting your needs met!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Bringing Me Down

Everyday, always the same
I hear your name and it cuts through me like a chainsaw
And I fall back into that simple fool that you once knew

And just as soon as I let you back in
Seems I'm reminded of all of this again

I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you had such a hold on me
Bringing me down, you're bringing me down
You're bringing me down

How much more will it take until I break and I drive that stake
Right into that thing that you call your heart
Hell it's fallen apart and I don't think it worked right from the start

Just as soon as I let you back in
Seems I'm reminded of all of this again

I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you had such a hold on me
Bringing me down, you're bringing me down

You're bringing me down, down, down
Bringing me down, you're bringing me down
You're bringing me down, down, down

Bringin' me down, bringin' me down
Bringin' me down, bringin' me down

I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you had such a hold on me

And I can't believe that I let you walk all over me
And I can't believe that you're still bringing me, bringing me down

You're bringing me, bringin' me down
Bringin' me down, bringin' me down!

~ Drowning Pool

Funnies from the Sarcastic

Ah, some refreshing sarcasm from my favorite Someecards! Thanks to B.R. for introducing me to the marvelous cache of sarcastic fodder!

Peace, Love, Happiness, and Humor!

Prison vs. Work

IN PRISON...you spend the majority of your time in an 8x10 cell.
AT WORK...you spend the majority of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

IN PRISON...you get three meals a day.
AT WORK...you only get a break for one meal and you pay for it.

IN PRISON...you get time off for good behavior.
AT WORK...you get more work for good behavior.

IN PRISON...the guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.
AT WORK...you must carry around a security card and open all the doors for yourself.

IN PRISON...you can watch TV and play games.
AT WORK...you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON...you get your own toilet.
AT WORK...you have to share with some idiot who pees on the seat.

IN PRISON...they allow your family and friends to visit.
AT WORK...you can't even speak to your family.

IN PRISON...the taxpayers pay all expenses with no work required.
AT WORK...you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON...you spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON...you must deal with sadistic wardens.
AT WORK...they are called managers.

No wonder recidivism rates are high! Hope this brings some smiles to all you out there in cubicle-land!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

"Just Like You"

I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you

I could be fake
I could be stupid
You know I could be just like you

You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

I could be cold
I could be ruthless
You know I could be just like you

I could be weak
I could be senseless
You know that I could be just like you

You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

On my own, 'cause I can't take living with you
I'm alone, so I won't turn out like you
Want me to

You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you

~ Three Days Grace

Our Forever Garden

Our Forever Garden

"Our forever garden, a place where you and I
sit on a bench made of wood, carved with hearts.
A magical garden, where roses glitter with dew,
soft breezes sing love songs,
cooling waters of azure blue glisten in the sun.
Memories are created, dreams come true,
in this garden of ours.
Alone with our thoughts,
sheltered from everyday life,
paradise for all eternity.
Hearts smiling with love,
gives life meaning, proves it's worthwhile.

Our forever garden, a place where
we promise 'to be faithful partners in sickness and in health,
in good times and in bad,
in joy as well as in sorrow.
To love unconditionally,
to support our goals,
to honor and respect each other,
to laugh and to cry together,
and to cherish each other for as long as we both shall live.'

Our forever garden, a place where
we will dwell for infinity, fulfilling these vows.
Savoring the sweet fragrance of roses,
listening to love songs sung by the wind,
bathing in cool cleansing waters,
nurturing the love that grows,
keeping the magic alive in A jamais nortre jardin.
Je t'aime mon cheri."

~Sylvia

Beautiful

"But you have to walk a thousand miles
In my shoes, just to see
What it's like, to be me I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like to
Feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each other's mind
Just to see what we find
Look at s**t through each other's eyes"

~~lyrics from M.M.