Doc's Corner Chat

This episode covers thoughts specific to inclusion, exclusion, perceptions, and more. How can we live together in ways that are mutually respectful?  Is it possible to have positive regard for others, no matter what their views/beliefs/opinions are in a world that is changing and becoming more exclusive rather than inclusive?  Food for thought.

Own your shit.  Recognize your feelings, thoughts, and actions.  You want change in your life?  You have control over that.  You feel stressed?  What are you doing about it? You don't like how things are? Change it!  What are you doing in the here and now? 

 Ever feel like you have too much on your plate and more just keeps getting added... like Thanksgiving dinner? We become full, unable to move, and more. Lets break it down and see what we can do to minimize the stress, anxiety, worry, irritability, etc. When we get to a point where it seems every little thing annoys us, it's time to step back and evaluate when we have control over and what we don't. 

As we continue to unpack "Resisting Happiness" we begin to look at how we get in our own way, and how to make sense of it all.  We need to understand life is messy.  No amount of planning, perfection, detailing, etc., can keep the "mess" from interrupting our lives.  So what mess are you trying to clean up?  What battle are you working through?  Answer the question... have you found the happiness you have so desperately been trying to find your whole life?  Sure, there are nuggets of happiness, but is happiness a constant in your life?  Is joy?  Something to consider. 

In Season 2 Episode 4 we started to explore resistance, as illustrated by Mathew Kelly in his amazing book, "Resisting Happiness."  We all resist happiness to some degree for various reasons.  In order to start understanding why, it's important to understand what resistance is and how we let that go in our quest for happiness. This episode helps to look at happiness and how we sometimes we in our own way.  There are few things we can do to lower the resistance and increase our "happiness score."  I guess the question still remains, are you happy? Truly?  Honestly?  Ask yourself and others that very question, while taking an opportunity to identify the resistance in order to lower it and increase our ability to truly be happy.

Were taking a broad look at the book, "Resisting Happiness" by Matthew Kelly.  This book is filled with key components and explanations as to why we resist happiness.  I break it down in measurable bites, so you can utilize this content.  Examples are illustrated as well as relatable experiences.  This will be part of a series, so tune in to catch next episode, "Our quest for happiness."

I have had numerous requests to share insights specific to ways to cope with the holidays and bringing in the new year while experiencing grief, loneliness, isolation, an so much more.   I decided to share a personal experience, which I hope will help others to feel connected in a way of our collective grief.  I hope, with love, care, and support anyone struggling this time of year will acknowledge their grief and accept it is ok to feel heartbroken.  Surround yourselves with what you need to take solace in.  This podcast was created on 12/21 and instead of publishing it right away, I contemplated whether I should have offered more information on effective strategies, but then I decided an episode from the heart, authentically, would offer an inside look at caring, sharing, and reaching out for support.  Thank you for your requests to cover such a difficult topic.  I pray this is helpful.  At Doc's Corner Chat, we welcome your requests as well as your input on topics you would like to have covered.  Thank you for your continued support and care, not only for our podcast, but for others.  Your contributions help us to provide greater care and services for Mental Health Awareness and Wellness.  

Our body processes experiences based on previous experiences.  Can we change that type of response?  Do we have the power to modify our thought process to achieve a different outcome?  Does what we do influence our thoughts or do our thoughts influence us?  Today was a great day... I've waited my whole life for a day like today.  I never thought I would ever have a day where there were calming "breaks" from my fear & panic.  Today, for 1/4 of the day, I felt free from the ties that bind me (trauma, fear, panic, agoraphobia, OCD).  Tune in to understand how we have the ability to allow ourselves to simply, "Just be."Thank you for tuning in.  Some heavy topics on the horizon, but with a twist!  Stay tuned!

So happy to be back!!!  I've really missed sharing with all the listeners and followers. (2.5K) now on FB.  We are making a difference in creating awareness & support for mental health & wellness. THANK YOU!This episode was recorded during a live stream, and is filled with insights about making room in life for OCD, Panic, & Agoraphobia.   We also explored what it means to "Miss...." Whether is be a loved one, job, friend, experience, etc., the question of how to best manage it as an individual comes to light in this episode.  Thank you for tuning in.  So much more to come!!!!  Please follow and share on FB @CornerstoneCommunityCare&Wellness and Doc's Corner Chat.  

Walk with me on this journey through self exploration with strength and healing.  It's ok to tap into natural curiosity and wonder, and discover the beauty of your soul and authentic self as you rediscover the realness of who you are.  Through this story,  shared in multiple parts, paves the way for others to find their courage to understand their suffering, strength and perseverance by connecting with those who have endured the pain.  Please join me on this journey. From my heart to yours..., love, healing, and rebirth of your authentic self are all possible. Give yourself permission to start the journey. 

Grief. Horror. Inaction. Texas mass shootings follow a numbing script. Information provided by Matthew Watkins from the Texas Tribune. If we area collectively impacted by horrific events that has a rippling impact around the globe, how do we then collectively heal and lift each other up? The first step, start a conversation and take one careful step at a time to build support, discuss solutions, and cultivate care one community at a time. Every positive action will yield some sort of result one action at a time. Let us begin to build in a healthy, kind, unbiased, and informative approach.

In order to understand how one has healed, we must begin to understand how one's journey through trauma, fear, isolation, and more contributes to growth on numerous levels.  We are all shaped through our experiences, whether we want to realize it or not.  By sharing our narratives we can offer hope for others, strength, courage, insight, and more.  I hope you enjoy this episode.  Thank you for listening.  Grab a box of tissues... Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise, and be kind to yourselves.  You, too, are growing in strength, hope, and exploration of your narrative.  Together, we will continue to grow in understanding and love.  Be kind to yourselves... ALWAYS.

Explore the journey of growth, change, emotion, survival, and more as we embark upon this five part series.  Let this story ignite your soul and open up your heart.  Give yourself permission to honor your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.   You have value and purpose... and you're stronger than you think you are!

Thank you for joining.  We are exploring growth and change through our own narratives and experiences.  There are valuable lessons to be learned by listening to other people's stories.  This is Season 2 of Doc's Corner Chat.  This episode is the beginning of a five week journey through change, hope, strength, insight, reflection, and more.  

A listener emailed me docscornerchat@gmail.com asking for this episode from season one to be available again.  We are inundated with so many requests to "do" something.  We often feel "guilty" for saying no, but when we say yes to everyone, what do we have left for ourselves?  There is a fine art to saying no, gracefully & tactfully, without putting yourself in an uncomfortable guilt-like situation and without offending anyone.  Saying, "no" is essential to our balance just as saying "yes" when we genuinely want to say yes vs. "feeling like we HAVE to" say yes.

Request to share Behind the Blue episode from Season 1.  This episode examines the social perception of police officers and the use of excessive force.  For more specific information on stressors police officers face, which impacts decision making, thus leading to questionable tactics read my new book, Behind the Blue.  The study examines stress, life satisfaction and counseling utilization within the police culture.  I back the blue, but I do not back abuse of power or excessive force!

Request from a listener to repost/upload this interesting episode from April 2021 on effective ways to tactfully say no from Season 1.  I hope this offers insight and effective strategies for gaining confidence in saying, "No."

It has been termed "the Great Resignation" and a “turnover tsunami,”  but whether it is because of a shift in priorities during the pandemic or simply a desire for a change, many people have left their jobs, or are thinking of leaving.  In the US, the department of labor reported a record 4m resignations in the month of April alone!But how do you know if you are in desperate need of change or just in a pandemic fug?  In this podcast, learn about questions to ask yourself to help you clarify your thinking – and your future.Additional food for thought:  You can also reference these questions when vetting a new career and job prospect!!  For example, "Can I afford to work for this company?"  "What would I gain by working for this company?"  "How would my perfect day at this new company differ from my perfect day at my current company?" Ahhh, the joy of choice and decision making.  You got this!

Toxic positivity is the assumption that despite a person’s emotional pain and turmoil, they should only have a positive mindset.When we pretend that emotional pain doesn’t exist, we send a message to our brain that whatever the emotion is, it is in some way bad or dangerous. If our brain believes we are in a dangerous situation, our body will respond as such.By overdoing positive affirmations, we may be invalidating our or others’ feelings and harming them when they are already in a vulnerable state.The best way to deal with negative emotions is to let yourself feel the emotions you’re feeling and let them pass, not push them under the rug.“Not only is it okay to not feel ‘okay,’ it is essential. An abnormal emotional response to an abnormal situation IS normal. 

Part 2: Safety, Prevention, Warning Signs, Bystander Intervention, and Survivor Stories. Support Contact Information:RAINN - 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)NAMI - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)SAMHSA - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Crisis Suicide Hotline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)Your local Police & Fire Departments via 911