Self-awareness is an invaluable trait that allows individuals to recognize and understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It serves as a cornerstone for personal growth, enhancing decision-making skills, improving relationships with others, boosting self-confidence, and fostering overall well-being. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the concept of self-awareness, explore various examples of self-awareness in action, discuss the benefits of cultivating self-awareness, provide actionable tips for developing self-awareness, and emphasize the importance of embarking on a journey towards greater self-awareness.

What is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness entails being conscious of one’s own thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and traits. It involves introspection and reflection to gain a deeper understanding of oneself. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, triggers, and impact on others are key components of self-awareness. This awareness enables individuals to make informed decisions aligned with their values and goals while effectively managing their emotions and interactions with others.

Why is Self-Awareness Important?

Self-awareness plays a pivotal role in personal development and success. By becoming more attuned to your inner world and how it influences your actions and relationships, you can navigate life more effectively. Here are some reasons why self-awareness is crucial:

1. Improved Decision-Making: When you are aware of your values, goals, strengths, weaknesses, and biases, you can make decisions that align with your authentic self. This leads to better outcomes and prevents regrets.

2. Stronger Relationships: Understanding your own emotions and behaviors helps you empathize with others’ perspectives. This empathy fosters deeper connections based on mutual understanding and respect.

3. Increased Self-Confidence: Knowing who you are and what you stand for enhances your sense of self-worth and confidence in navigating challenges or uncertainties.

4. Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Self-aware individuals are better equipped to manage their emotions effectively and understand how their feelings influence their thoughts and behavior.

5. Better Communication Skills: Being aware of your communication style allows you to tailor your message to be more effective while also being attentive to nonverbal cues from others.

Recognizing that certain people or situations make you uncomfortable enables you to set boundaries and protect your well-being. By respecting your emotional responses and limits, you can maintain healthy relationships and prioritize your mental health.

Understanding Your Impact on Others:
Observing that your loud voice is intimidating others and adjusting your communication style demonstrates awareness of your impact on those around you. Adapting your behavior to create a more inclusive and comfortable environment reflects empathy and consideration for others’ perspectives.

Recognizing that your critical feedback is discouraging a colleague highlights the importance of understanding how your words and actions affect others. By offering constructive criticism infused with support and encouragement, you can foster growth and collaboration within your professional interactions.

Each of these examples illustrates how self-awareness plays a pivotal role in personal development, interpersonal relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being. By honing this skill, individuals can navigate life’s complexities with greater clarity, authenticity, and resilience.

To further explore the benefits of cultivating self-awareness and actionable tips for enhancing this essential quality, please continue reading below.

Examples of Self-Awareness in Action

Emotional Awareness:
One example of emotional awareness is recognizing physical signs of anger, such as an increased heart rate and clenched fists, and taking a calming breath before reacting impulsively. By acknowledging these signals, you can prevent escalation and respond more thoughtfully.

Another example is identifying when you feel overwhelmed and taking a short break to avoid burnout. Being aware of your emotional state allows you to prioritize self-care and maintain balance in challenging situations.

Self-Assessment:
In terms of self-assessment, recognizing your strengths as a leader and delegating tasks accordingly demonstrates self-awareness. Acknowledging where you excel empowers you to leverage those strengths effectively while trusting others to handle tasks outside your expertise.

Identifying areas for improvement and setting goals for personal development is another crucial aspect of self-assessment. By acknowledging your weaknesses or areas needing growth, you can proactively seek opportunities for learning and growth.

Understanding Your Values:
Recognizing that honesty is a core value and refusing to participate in gossip showcases self-awareness aligned with values. Upholding ethical principles even in casual conversations reflects integrity and authenticity.

Realizing that financial security is important to you and making adjustments to your spending habits demonstrates alignment between values and actions. Being mindful of how your choices reflect your priorities contributes to a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Recognizing Triggers:
Identifying that deadlines cause anxiety allows you to develop strategies for managing time effectively. By understanding what triggers stress or unease, you can implement proactive measures to alleviate pressure and enhance productivity.

Acknowledging that certain people or situations make you uncomfortable enables you to set boundaries that safeguard your well-being. Self-awareness helps determine which environments or relationships support your growth and which may hinder it.

Understanding Your Impact on Others:
Observing that your loud voice intimidates others prompts adjustment in communication style. Being attentive to how your behaviors influence those around you fosters effective collaboration and mutual respect.

Recognizing that your critical feedback may discourage a colleague encourages offering constructive advice instead. Adapting your approach based on the impact it has on others promotes positive interactions built on empathy and consideration.

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The Key to Growth: Unlocking the Power of Self-Awareness

In a world that often emphasizes external achievements, it’s easy to overlook one of the most fundamental pillars of personal development—self-awareness. Understanding oneself is not just a trendy concept; it’s a transformative tool that can unlock untapped potential, lead to fulfilling relationships, and foster holistic well-being.

Why Self-Awareness Matters

Self-awareness serves as the compass that guides us through life’s complexities. By knowing our strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations, we gain clarity on who we are and what we aspire to become. This deep level of introspection paves the way for setting meaningful goals and making decisions aligned with our true selves.

The Impact on Personal and Professional Goals

For professionals and entrepreneurs striving for success, self-awareness is a game-changer. It enables individuals to leverage their unique talents effectively, address areas needing improvement, and navigate challenges with resilience. By honing this skill, one can identify growth opportunities, cultivate leadership abilities, and achieve sustainable progress in their career endeavors.

Building Stronger Connections

Self-aware individuals are more attuned to their emotions and behaviors, allowing them to communicate authentically and empathize with others effectively. By understanding how their actions impact those around them, they foster deeper connections based on trust and mutual respect. In both personal and professional relationships, self-awareness enhances collaboration and fosters environments conducive to growth.

Enhancing Overall Well-Being

Well-being encompasses more than just physical health—it encompasses mental clarity, emotional resilience, and a sense of purpose. Self-awareness plays a pivotal role in nurturing these facets by promoting self-compassion, stress management strategies, and alignment with core values. When individuals embrace self-awareness.

See our new eBook:

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Unleash Your Inner Radiance: A Guide to Self-Awareness Through Mindfulness

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Radiant Woman: Embracing Self-Awareness Through Mindfulness by Tony Ramos of Minds Valley is your key to unlocking the transformative power within. This empowering guide unveils the secrets of self-awareness, the foundation of mindfulness and the cornerstone of becoming a radiant woman.

Within these pages, you’ll discover:

• The essence of self-awareness and its profound impact on your life
• Powerful mindfulness practices to cultivate self-awareness and inner wisdom
• How to break free from limiting patterns and embrace your true self
• The path to living a life aligned with your values and radiating confidence

Radiant Woman is more than just a book; it’s a transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. Embrace your authentic self, illuminate your path, and let your radiance shine brightly from within.

Unlock Your Confidence & Clarity: Radiant Woman – Self-Awareness Through Mindfulness

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‘Corsets and Romance: Rediscover Passion, and Master the Art of Attracting Love’ is set for a new marketing campaign

HALIFAX, NS, Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Lynn Sorge, PhD, wants to help those who become so unhappy in their relationship that even if they do recognize the cause, they have no idea of how to repair it, and where to begin. She also wants to help those who do not have a soul mate or loving partner in their lives, and are suffering from loneliness by laying out the means to find a partner without going online at all, instead drawing upon everyday occurrences to meet and get to know that someone special.

In “Corsets and Romance: Rediscover Passion, and Master the Art of Attracting Love”(published by Balboa Press in August 2022), Sorge presents a two-part story and guide that helps couples rediscover passion and romance, and leads singles of all ages to find lasting love. This book is divided into two parts. The first is a fictional account of a married couple who have lost their passion for each other, the problems within their relationship which this has caused, and the extreme lengths to which one of them goes to solve the problem. The second, non-fiction, is a step-by-step guide aimed at those who have not been successful at finding a loving partner, and succinctly lays out the steps one can take to find that special someone without using a dating site.

“Currently, we are living in a fragmented society where many of us live and communicate mainly online. In-person relationships appear to be becoming a thing of the past, and consequently, it is easy to become lonely and to feel isolated. Many of us miss touching and being touched by another human, and have become so accepting of our aloneness that we do not even realize something is missing from our lives,” Sorge says. “This book is intended to be an antidote to our solitude and sense of isolation. It is all encompassing in that it lays out and provides a practical and immediate solution to those in relationships where the passion that once existed has gone missing, while also providing a plan, including its practical application, for finding someone anew with whom to fall in love.”

When asked what she wants readers to take away from the book, Sorge answered, “I want them to realize that, regardless of how hopeless they feel their situation might be, there is always a solution to whatever challenge they might be facing. With a bit of creativity, honest communication, and the will to succeed, problems arising within an already-existing relationship can be solved. For those who have been unsuccessful at finding love, there is every possibility that employing suggestions from the tried and true blueprint offered in the book will very likely lead them to finding love and happiness with the person of their dreams. I also want them to understand that applying many of the concepts outlined in the book are applicable not only to their love lives, but also to many unrelated challenges they might face in their lives.” For more details about the book, please visit https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/813771-corsets-and-romance

“Corsets and Romance: Rediscover Passion, and Master the Art of Attracting Love”
By Lynn Sorge, PhD
Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 142 pages | ISBN 9781982272722
Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 142 pages | ISBN 9781982272708
E-Book | 142 pages | ISBN 9781982272715
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Lynn Sorge, PhD, earned a BA from Dalhousie University, an MA from New York University, and a doctorate from Oxford Brookes University. She had a tenured position at Dalhousie University in the costume studies program for four decades, followed by an adjunct position in the faculty of graduate studies. This is her second book.

Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, Inc. – a leading provider in publishing products that specialize in self-help and the mind, body, and spirit genres. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the self-publishing model. For more information, visit balboapress.com. To start publishing your book with Balboa Press, call 844-682-1282 today.

Media Contact

Marketing Services, BalboaPress, 844-682-1282, [email protected], www.balboapress.com

SOURCE Balboa Press

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In the current digital landscape, the impact of social media on youth mental health is becoming an increasingly pressing concern. Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, recently issued a call to action, urging tech companies and lawmakers to take immediate steps to safeguard the mental well-being of our children and adolescents. 

This timely request is certainly necessary, but it only scratches the surface of a complicated issue.

From my perspective as a psychologist, addiction expert, and researcher who has worked with adolescents in a clinical setting, the narrative becomes even more complex. And, as a mother of three, I’m also personally invested in the well-being of our youth in a world where social media is a ubiquitous presence. 

In joining my personal interest in these issues and my professional experience, I hope to provide a multifaceted perspective to this topic. Understanding the unique challenges faced by today’s youth is the first step toward bringing about change that can help end the mental health crisis they currently face.

What the Data Says

According to the Pew Research Center, as many as 95% of U.S. teenagers aged 13-17 report using a social media platform. This is virtually every teen in America. 

The Pew research also shows that 35% of teens say they use one of the top five platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook) almost constantly. This has troubling implications, as a 2019 research study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that people who spend over three hours a day on social media are more likely to develop mental health problems. 

Digital World, Physical Harm

Many of the negative effects of youth social media use involve issues of body image and identity. This is likely because social platforms offer countless opportunities for young people to compare themselves with others. And, as a consequence, they may experience feelings of alienation when they feel they don’t meet popular standards for physical appearance.

Numerous studies have reported a correlation between social media use and body dissatisfaction, dieting behavior, and eating disorders among young people. This isn’t just a response to passive viewing of the seemingly perfect lives and bodies cascading endlessly down social media feeds; more troublingly, this is part of an active conversation as young people create and respond to content promoting disordered eating. 

Social media is also where cyberbullying happens. According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of teens aged 13-17 have been bullied or harassed online, often over their physical appearance. These online attacks can have severe psychological impacts, leading to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

The Complexity of Adolescence

Adolescence has always been a challenging phase of life, with or without social media. It’s a period fraught with physiological changes, emotional turbulence, and identity formation. As CDC data shows, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety often first surface during this phase of life. The existence of these conditions isn’t just a product of social media; they’ve been long-standing challenges for adolescents. However, social media may be a factor in the record rates of youth depression and suicide we’ve seen in recent years.

Generational trauma and societal pressures compound the challenges of adolescence. Our youth are navigating an environment where the strains of academic achievement, future uncertainties, and societal expectations loom large. Research indicates that these pressures can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues among teens. Many teens even take to social media to discuss trauma, and while this can be therapeutic, it can also have an amplifying effect on the trauma itself. 

Loneliness has also recently been highlighted by the Surgeon General as a serious harm to health and well-being in our nation, and loneliness is especially complex in young people. Loneliness can lead to both emotional and physical harm. 

Despite the many ways in which social media allows us to connect with others both near and far, the nature of those interactions can lead to more disconnection than connection. As Dr. Murthy states, “There can be an assumption that because you’re virtually connected through social media, email or text that somehow that protects you from loneliness. Sometimes it can, but not always.”

Harnessing the Positive Potential of Social Media 

Despite the issues that can arise, we must not forget that social media also has transformative potential. Social platforms can be positive places for fostering connections, encouraging empathy, and promoting social activism. For example, many young people use social media to find communities that support their interests, identities, and causes. 

However, the key is to ensure that social media usage is healthy and balanced. To do this, we need a comprehensive approach that combines education, digital literacy, mental health support, and community intervention.

The Crucial Role of Caregivers

Caregiving, especially for the youth grappling with mental health issues, requires a profound understanding of the challenges young people face and the right set of tools to address their needs. Digital tools, such as youth-oriented mental health apps, can offer round-the-clock access to resources and support; this can include self-help guides, meditation and mindfulness activities, or direct access to licensed therapists. 

Caregivers need to be equipped with knowledge about recognizing signs of mental distress, understanding the impacts of excessive social media use, and learning effective intervention strategies. This includes understanding the signs of cyberbullying, identifying changes in behavior that may indicate social media addiction, and being aware of the potential for social media to distort perceptions of reality. 

Digital literacy education for caregivers is also essential; it’s important for caregivers to understand the online environment that young patients spend so much time in. This can help caregivers provide supportive conversations about social media use, establish healthy boundaries, and introduce alternatives to online interaction.

It Really Does Take a Village

A truly effective approach to supporting youth mental health is the “It takes a village” approach, which underscores the importance of a supportive community in nurturing the well-being of young individuals. 

Schools are in a unique position to spearhead this effort by integrating mental health and digital literacy education into their curricula. Beyond education, tech companies have a crucial role to play in creating safer online environments. The Surgeon General has also urged enhanced privacy settings, effective content moderation, and tools that can promote well-being to help make social media a more constructive space for young people.

Similarly, lawmakers have a responsibility to create supportive legislative frameworks. These might include policies for stricter regulation of online content, increased public investment in youth mental health services, and legislation that promotes responsible digital behavior. Community support is another essential part of this endeavor; and this includes online communities. The presence of supportive adults and peers in a young person’s life can significantly mitigate the effects of social media. 

A Comprehensive Approach to a Complex Problem

The issue of social media and youth mental health is not a one-dimensional problem. It’s a multifaceted challenge, intertwined with broader societal issues and generational narratives. It calls for a comprehensive approach that recognizes these complexities, fosters community support, and places education at its core.

As we navigate this new digital era, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our young people are equipped with the resilience and skills to thrive, both online and off.

About Lindsay Oberleitner

Lindsay Oberleitner, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who has worked at the intersection of addiction, trauma, and chronic health conditions. Lindsay is SimplePractice’s Education Director. Before joining SimplePractice, she worked as an Assistant Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, and Western Connecticut State University. She also served as Associate Director of the Yale Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic, where she worked to increase access to care and recovery for underserved populations and advance equitable and inclusive treatment through a community engagement approach.

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Greene County’s jail is set to become one of five in the state to offer mental health treatment to inmates who need to be restored to competency before standing trial, part of an attempt by the state to address the need for services quickly and efficiently.

When suspects arrive at jail and await trial, they may be ordered by the court to be evaluated for mental health competency. Those deemed to be incompetent to stand trial often are ordered to receive competency restoration treatment. Previously, the only option for this treatment was to go to a state hospital to receive inpatient mental health treatment. With a recent surge in people who were determined to need the services in order to proceed with their criminal cases, the limited number of available beds left many waiting in jail for months.

As of Sept. 28, there were 35 inmates at the Greene County Jail awaiting an inpatient bed to receive competency restoration services. Statewide, there were 253 individuals awaiting admission into state hospitals and 57 waiting to be added to that list as of Sept. 14. At the same time, there were 267 evaluations requested, with about 50% estimated to be found incompetent, according to a presentation to the state’s Mental Health Commission.

This summer, the Missouri legislature amended statute to allow mental health restoration services to be provided within county jails and out in the community. With the new law, the state allocated $2.5 million to establish jail-based restoration programs across five counties, including Greene.

Jeanette Simmons is the deputy director for the Missouri Division of Behavioral Health. She said the program was based on similar programs in other states that have faced the same problem.

“We have more individuals needing competency restoration services than we have inpatient hospital beds,” Simmons said. “This is not just a Missouri issue; this is a nationwide phenomenon.”

The program aims to solve this by easing the demand for inpatient beds while cutting down wait times for people to get treatment.

Sheriff’s office questions use of resources but state says moving ahead

Although state authorities said work to implement the program in Greene County is moving ahead, the sheriff’s office expressed doubts.

Deputy Paige Rippee, public information officer for the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the jail, said that while many inmates have been waiting for treatment for several months, the program would not be the most efficient use of the jail’s resources.

Rippee said in order to create space for treatment, the jail would have to shut down one to two units. The inmates who would be housed there for treatment would not fill the units to full capacity, she said, which would mean the space is not used in the most cost-effective or efficient way.

“It is something we have looked into, but it’s just not in the cards for us,” she said of the jail-based model.

Debra Walker, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, reiterated however that the state is still moving forward with implementing the program in Greene County and currently working out the details of the contract.

Ironing out the details

The program will operate using the state’s Forensic Mobile Teams, which include nurses, nurse practitioners and social workers. Two staff members from a local community mental health center also will be hired to work at the jail.

The two existing Forensic Mobile Teams were expanded with state funding in the most recent budget. One of these teams was established a couple of years ago. Currently, the teams are serving those needing restoration services in jails across the state regardless of county while they await inpatient treatment.

The jail-based program will also be implemented in Clay County, the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County. Simmons said other counties have already requested to be included if the program expands, though currently the services are limited. She said the counties were selected based on the volume of referrals that come from each jail — no surprise considering that these are the most populated areas of the state.

While an option, the jail-based model will not become the default.

“We don’t anticipate that it will be the answer for every client, but I think individually we can look at it and make those types of assessments and ensure that people are receiving those treatment services while they’re there,” Simmons said. “That’s the intent they would receive the same types of treatment services they would receive in an inpatient setting.”

Stephanie Appleby, the executive director of NAMI Southwest Missouri, said she is grateful the department is putting time, energy and effort into providing more resources, which previously have been very limited.

“I think it’s fabulous and long overdue,” she said of the program. “I hope it works.”

Appleby said she hopes this program and any future efforts can establish a more continuous network of care providers. Creating a playbook on an individual’s care that both law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals can reference to determine best ways to support those needing care is a way to ensure a more sustainable approach to address mental health in the community, she said.

Other treatment options

Outpatient treatment will also be an option for some in need of competency restoration treatment. Simmons said this program would allow people to receive the needed services at their local community mental health centers. Providing this as an option would be a court decision for those demonstrating that they would be successful while free on bond, she said. Individuals held on dangerous felony charges are not eligible.

Rippee, with the sheriff’s office, said there are concerns about this model of service as well. In order for those out on bond to get to these services, they might have to rely on someone else for transportation, along with other potential obstacles.

“Homelessness often goes hand in hand with mental health issues,” she said.

Those who do not have the resources to actually get to their outpatient competency restoration treatment provider or keep on top of their medication may not fully benefit from the program, she said.

More: In the year since 988 went live, here’s what a Springfield mental health provider has seen

Appleby also has concerns about the outpatient portion of the effort. She said inpatient care is generally always a better option, since in order for patients to be successful in outpatient, they “have to really want to live a self-directed life.” Many who find themselves within the criminal justice system are not at that point in their recovery, she said.

But Simmons said the department hopes to work on more ways to connect individuals with treatment before they are within the criminal justice system. Increasing awareness and education of current resources like the 988 suicide and crisis hotline and local behavioral health programs is a large part of this.

“We’ve got to look at getting more upstream to try and help individuals engage in treatment services,” she said.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Contact her with tips and story ideas at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri plans new mental health restoration program at county jails

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox once a week; sign up for the free newsletter at mountainstatespotlight.org/newsletter.

By Henry Culvyhouse, Mountain State Spotlight

HUNTINGTON — After 27 years, Steve McCormick still remembers the last night he worked on an ambulance. 

It was a routine medical call, a transport to the hospital. They didn’t even run the lights and sirens. 

But when McCormick and his partner got there, it turned into a full blown emergency. The elderly patient  wasn’t breathing — they ran a tube down her throat, and McCormick pumped a bag to keep her alive. 

“I felt her last breath in my hands,” McCormick said. “I came home and I told my dad, who worked in an ambulance all his life, that I couldn’t do it anymore.” 

Today, McCormick is a captain at the Huntington Fire Department. For two decades, he’s fought fires, responded to overdoses, worked car wrecks and more. 

“I’ve seen, smelt and heard stuff I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy,” he said. 

All those calls take a toll. When McCormick was screened for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and showed many of the symptoms, he said it was like a kick in the gut.

PTSD among the men and women in fire, police, EMS and at 911 call centers is a nationwide issue: studies have estimated around 35% of police officers, up to 22% of firefighters and almost a quarter of 911 dispatchers suffer from PTSD. In another study, EMS personnel were found to be 10 times more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide than the average American. 

From 2018 to 2021, more police officers and firefighters died by suicide than in the line of duty. 

While there have been no numbers tabulated specific to West Virginia, state lawmakers have repeatedly said over the past couple of years that mental health among first responders needs to be a top priority — it’s one of the many issues, along with dedicated funding and pay raises, that fire and EMS have been requesting help with for years.

Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, is part of an informal working group looking at mental health in first responders. He said the issues are complex.  

“It’s like hitting a yellow jacket’s nest while you’re weed eating — you don’t know which bee to swat at first,” he said. 

 Challenges in accessing mental health care

Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, a West Virginia therapist who specializes in treating PTSD in first responders, said addressing and processing a traumatic event quickly is the key to reduce the likelihood it doesn’t become full-blown PTSD. 

“Think of it like a laundry pile,” Mika-Lude said. “You might have a laundry pile and for every new piece of clothing you put into the pile, you take a little bit  away. But if you don’t take anything from the pile, it gets bigger and bigger until one day, it feels unmanageable.” 

For McCormick, he likens it to sponge under a dripping faucet — eventually, that sponge overflows. It could be a routine lift-assist call, it could be a bit of internal department politicking, but eventually, it overflows. 

And his sponge was overflowing for a while. McCormick described sleepless nights, being in a constant state of high alert, jumpiness, quick to anger, all signs of PTSD.

“I never thought I had a problem,” he said. “When you’re living like that for so long, you just think it’s normal — but you find out, it isn’t.” 

The drive to stay strong in order to help others further complicates issues. Mika-Lude said while the public’s tendency to put first responders on a pedestal might be well-intended, it can push them to keep performing to the point of burnout. 

“Helpers are people too,” she said. “When we’re talking about this, I think that’s something the public needs to remember.” 

McCormick said turning the switch off can be tough; he’s seen guys turn their whole identity into being a first responder. 

“People see my mustache, I might just be wearing street clothes, and they know I’m a fireman,” he said. “It’s hard to make that separation, but look, I’m sitting on my back deck smoking a cigar and drinking a beer, just like anyone else that gets off of work.” 

Suffering alone can cause unhealthy coping techniques, like compulsive gambling, excessive drinking and infidelity, according to Vanessa Stapleton, president of Armor Up WV, an organization that raises PTSD awareness and puts first responders in touch with resources for treatment. 

But she said there are few places in the state for first responders to seek help.

The state already lacks mental health providers — one estimate at a conference last year for EMS and mental health providers said there’s one mental health provider for every 500 people in the state. 

Finding therapists who specialize in first responders is even tougher. And in-patient care — after a suicide attempt or when getting clean from drugs and alcohol — presents its own sets of issues. 

Stapleton said getting inpatient treatment out of state is better for first responders because they’re not in rehab with people they may have arrested or may have saved from an overdose. But the Public Employee Insurance Agency has to preauthorize an out-of-state admission — sometimes taking up to two weeks to give the green light. 

Healing through meditation and trauma therapy

For the past four years, Huntington-area first responders have had another option: Compass, a program established specifically to deal with trauma among the group. 

Located on the top floor of the Huntington Police Department, the office doesn’t have the typical beige walls and harsh fluorescent lights common in most government buildings. Instead, the tones are soft. The lighting is largely natural. There’s no hustle and bustle of keyboards tapping away or a scanner blaring out a call. 

It’s quiet.

Manning the fort on a recent weekday are the tag-team duo of Amy Jefferson, a social worker, and Amy Hanshaw, a personal trainer. With roughly 79% of the city’s police and fire ranks at least popping into Compass — it might be for a coffee, it might be a high intensity training workout — the Amys said the key to the program’s success lies in how it started. 

At first, they didn’t have this office, so the two had to take the program on the road, hanging out at city fire stations and in police cruisers. Over time, they got to know the firefighters and the officers. 

Putting mental health and wellness in the training program for each department also helped. About a quarter of the department’s ranks are made up of firefighters who underwent this training. 

McCormick, who uses the services for meditation and some specialized PTSD therapy, said if this program had started earlier, it could’ve saved even more lives and careers. 

“We’ve had a suicide and we’ve a few quit because of mental health issues,” he said. “I think if this was around, that wouldn’t have happened.” 

State lawmakers work to improve first responder mental health

But outside of Huntington and Cabell County, the support for PTSD among first responders is much more limited. 

Over the past few years, lawmakers have taken some steps toward trying to address the growing crisis. In 2021, they passed a bill to carve out an exception in workers’ compensation law to allow first responders to file claims for PTSD. By and large, worker’s comp claims do not include mental illness caused by the mental stress of the job. But the law included a huge loophole: employers can elect to skip the coverage. 

“This bill was a good old-fashioned compromise — if you’re hungry, it’s better to have half a loaf of bread than to say you don’t want any at all unless it’s a whole loaf of bread,” said former Cabell County delegate Chad Lovejoy, who said giving employers the choice was the only way to get the bill across the finish line. 

Earlier this year, lawmakers set aside more money for EMS systems around the state, which included a provision to implement “critical response teams” to debrief EMS personnel after a traumatic event. Office of Emergency Medical Services Director Jody Ratliff told lawmakers at least one team was in place and more would come. He also said he’s been working with 988, the suicide hotline, to have call takers ride along with first responders so they better help them when they call. 

Statler said he visited the Compass Program and was impressed. During the September Interim session, he recommended his fellow lawmakers do the same. 

“The day I spent my time there, the two directors there answered all my questions and I saw several people come in and out to use that facility,” he said. “It is something.”

McCormick says the program is starting to move the needle at the firehouse, if only just by encouraging conversation. He says he now hears chats over dinners at the station about how guys are doing, checking in with one another. 

“People didn’t talk about this shit 10 years ago,” he said. 

While McCormick is a self-admitted “old hippy at heart” who has been quicker to embrace practices like meditation than others in his department, even he had a tough time accepting help. 

When he screened positive for PTSD, he asked his wife, a licensed therapist, what she thought. 

“It would be foolish to think someone in your job wouldn’t have symptoms of PTSD,” he recalled her saying.  

Even then, McCormick said he had a tough time accepting he had PTSD. It took a nudge from a buddy in the fire service to go see a therapist about it. 

“If he hadn’t vouched for the therapist I’m seeing, I’ll be honest, I don’t think I would’ve gone,” he said. “The things we see, the things we remember, the smelling, the hearing, none of that is going away. But maybe we can get some tools to process it better.”  

If you are facing a mental health crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24/7, at 988. 

Reach reporter Henry Culvyhouse at henry@mountainstatespotlight.org

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SALT LAKE CITY — Waking up to heavy rain on Monday morning, Christena Huntsman Durham knew it was a message from her late sister, Kathleen Huntsman, who died in 2010 from a drug overdose after battling a substance use disorder.

“When we checked her in right here in this building (the Huntsman Mental Health Institute), it was through the back doors. It was in secrecy and it was in shame,” said Durham, executive vice president of the Huntsman Foundation. “When she passed away, we could never put in her obituary what she died from because that doesn’t happen in families like ours. Because of the stigma and shame associated with mental health disorders, people are too afraid to get the help that they need.”

To her, the rain represented tears of joy from all those who lost their lives from mental health issues as she joined University of Utah leaders to break ground on the Utah Mental Health Translational Research Building, a facility dedicated to innovation in mental health research and clinical care, at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

The 185,000-square-foot, multistory building will have dedicated spaces for wet labs, dry labs, administration, outreach and education, along with housing the world’s only 7-Tesla MRI for neuroimaging dedicated to brain research and clinical innovations.

“Our students and faculty from across campus will work with our patients, with their families and with our community of Utah to tackle complex mental health issues,” said Dr. Mark Rapaport, CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “Issues like the youth mental health crisis, suicide, substance use disorders and psychosis will be addressed in a comprehensive way.”

From 2019 to 2021, the age-adjusted suicide rate in Utah was 20.6 per 100,000 persons, with an average of 648 suicides per year. Utah had the 9th highest age-adjusted suicide rate in the U.S. in 2020, according to data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

In 2020, suicide was the leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10-17 and 18-24. It was the second leading cause of death for ages 25-44 and the fifth leading cause of death for ages 45-64. Overall, suicide was the eighth-leading cause of death for Utahns, according to the department.

University of Utah President Taylor Randall hugs Christena Huntsman Durham, executive vice president of the Huntsman Foundation, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Utah Mental Health Translational Research Building outside the Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Salt Lake City on Monday. (Photo: Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)

The research building will also be taking a novel approach to addressing mental health as the first institution in the nation to co-locate mental health researchers with experts in science, artificial intelligence, public policy, business and law.

Speaking at the groundbreaking, Utah State Senate President Stuart Adams said that the Utah Legislature has appropriated $90 million to fund the research building, with $65 million more coming from philanthropic funding.

University of Utah President Taylor Randall often says that the university’s goal is to be “a top-10 public institution with unsurpassed societal impact.” It’s the second part of that goal that is the most important to him.

“What it means is we have to take on this world’s largest problems at the moment. This has got to be one of those top three problems — mental health,” Randall said. “We have to come to this building to change the health care system so we actually deliver this to everybody where they need it. We have to talk about how we get these treatments into high schools, into those early ages where we know that many of these individuals are beginning to suffer for the first time.”

The back of a sweatshirt reading “Thank you for asking about my mental health!” at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Utah Mental Health Translational Research Building outside the Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Salt Lake City on Monday. (Photo: Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)

“It means we need to take these solutions to the homeless population. It means we need to take these solutions to the elderly populations that are at the end of their lives and struggling with the same challenges that all of us do. Today is the day that we not only break ground on this, but I think it’s the day that we take up this challenge and take it and double and triple and quadruple our efforts so that all of us can alleviate the suffering that’s occurring in many of our families,” Randall continued.

As far as his hopes for the research building, Randall said he wants to see a significant change in the way individuals with mental health issues are treated in Utah and beyond.

“You’ll point back to the Translational Research Building and say, ‘That intervention came from researchers in that building,'” Randall said. “We’re just so excited that the state and the Huntsman family came together to address one of the most pressing needs of our state.”

For Durham, she hopes that the research building will serve as a resource for mental health treatment similar to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

“When people walk into a building to get help with their mental health, it’s like they’re going into the cancer institute and they will be greeted with love and no judgment, and that they won’t be as afraid of getting a mental health diagnosis,” Durham said. “To all of you doctors and researchers, you are going to show the world that we can change the world of mental health. We don’t need to be afraid of a diagnosis.”

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Crisis hotlines

• Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
• SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
• 988 Suicide and Crisis LifeLine at 988
• Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386

Online resources

More resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388).
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS and health care professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT from 8 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy and medication management, substance use and addiction recovery, child and teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith-based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

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Logan Stefanich is a reporter with KSL.com, covering southern Utah communities, education, business and military news.

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If you practice mindfulness meditation, you probably know that it can lower your stress level, reduce anxiety, and improve low moods. You might also be aware of its health-improving properties. According to the National Institutes of Health, mindfulness meditation may be able to reduce your blood pressure, help you cope with chronic pain, and even make it easier to fall asleep at night. But did you also know that by meditating, you’re also developing cognitive skills that can enhance the benefits of psychotherapy?

When you meditate — and by “meditate” I’m referring to mindfulness meditation, with no disrespect intended toward other forms of meditation — you probably focus on an ongoing, present stimulus such as your breathing. You might choose some other consistent sound in your environment, like street noise, wind through tree branches, or even the hum of an air conditioner. hat these stimuli have in common is that their presence continues from the immediate past into the present moment, and can help you draw your attention to the now. No matter what has distracted you, when you’re meditating and you catch your attention drifting away, you can always return to that ongoing, current stimulus because it’s always there to come back to.

And when you redirect your attention this way, you’ve probably learned to do it nonjudgmentally, with no particular frustration or sense of burden. No matter how many times you get distracted — no matter how often you need to bring your attention back to the present — you’ll need to do it without punishing yourself. This is part of the job of meditation: choosing not to be frustrated with minor diversions, but just catching your thoughts if they’ve wandered, and bringing them back to your focal point once again.

Learning to do this can take patience. It also requires the ability to stand back from your own thoughts and feelings, lest they overcome your intentions and sweep you away from your meditative focus. Perhaps the best analogy might be sitting on the bank of a river as boats and other objects float by. You’re not in the river; you’re watching it flow, just as you can watch your thoughts and feelings drift into, and then out of, your awareness. You know, even as you notice these items coming into view, that the river will soon carry them away again, and that you don’t need to take action at this moment. This sense of distance from your thoughts and feelings, no matter how strong they are, can help you avoid being swept up in the current of emotion caused by a passion or a frustration, or distracted by the thought of a pressing problem. When you notice that your meditative state has been disrupted by one of these ostensibly urgent thoughts or feelings, you simply recognize it and let it float away, down the river.

These skills and abilities — the ability to stay present, to gain distance on your thoughts and feelings, and to correct yourself non-judgmentally — can also accelerate the benefits of psychotherapy. For example, in therapy you may be confronted with difficult memories, turbulent feelings, or perspectives that challenge your outlook. You may be told you’re struggling with chronic, intrusive thoughts or critical self-judgments — possibly the introjected relics of a significant relationship in your past. You might even come to realize that you are contributing more to your own problems than you’ve previously understood. Challenging moments like this can be hard to accept, and difficult to comfortably sit through. But if you’ve developed your ability to stay present, and to tolerate the stimuli that intrude upon the present moment, you may be better at hearing your therapist’s interpretations without rejecting them. This meditation-therapy connection was identified in a 2007 study by Daniel Siegel, who found that the self-observation developed in meditation could change the brain, loosening the connections established by prior learning and allowing new input — that of the present moment — to be integrated in a new way. In other words, as Siegel sees it, being present gives you new tools to understand yourself and helps you to unlearn your prior, potentially mistaken assumptions.

Similarly, meditation skills can help you cope with the intrusive comments or interruptions posed in therapy by a person other than your therapist: yourself. People who habitually criticize themselves can have trouble hearing alternative interpretations, or thinking about themselves in ways other than the harsh ones they’ve learned. Now consider how much easier it might be to cope with this kind of regular self-criticism if you’ve developed the ability to gain distance on your own thoughts, as you do when you meditate. You’ll have learned to view these habitual, critical “voices” as something separate from yourself, and you’d be better able to protect your own self-esteem by recognizing the intruding thoughts as alien and unwanted, and responding to them in an appropriate, nonjudgmental way. In a 2012 article, Davis & Hayes referred to this process as “metacognitive awareness,” and linked it to improvements in emotion regulation and reductions in perseveration cognition. These changes, Davis & Hayes concluded, can help you build better emotion regulation skills.

I’ve often heard it said that there are three main goals of psychotherapy: to develop insights into yourself, to accept what you learn, and to regulate the emotions that you feel in response. If that’s true, then the skill-building inherent in regular mindfulness meditation practice can help your therapy succeed in all three ways.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.

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As an ethics educator, business coach and massage industry expert witness, one of the recurring issues I have observed in complaints and lawsuits related to assertions of sexual misconduct by massage therapists is poor client communication.

While addressing the prevention of the serious issue of intentional, inappropriate touch is far beyond the scope of this article, better communication between client and therapist can make a big difference in the way each other’s actions and inactions are perceived and interpreted.

Although the suggestions in this article are aimed specifically at helping prevent misperceptions and misunderstandings during a massage related to inappropriate conduct, they can be used in almost any area of life or business.

As a framework, I will reference material from “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom,” a best-selling self-help book written by Don Miguel Ruiz. The book outlines a personal code of conduct that may help reduce suffering in one’s life. I re-read this book every few years, and the four core concepts are regular reminders about how to conduct myself in day-to-day actions, interactions and reactions.

This code of conduct, although not specific to the workplace or massage therapy, can also be a helpful guide on how to conduct oneself as a professional massage therapist. In particular, this article will offer the framework of the book as a guide to help improve communication between massage therapists and their clients with the aim of creating safer, more rewarding experiences for all.

Agreement #1: Be Impeccable with Your Word

Although the first agreement is quite nuanced, the basic idea is to say what you mean and mean what you say. In other words, keep the promises you make and don’t agree to do things you will be unable to fulfill. It also means to use care to only speak truthfully, avoiding gossip and not making disparaging comments about yourself and others.

On a professional level, this relates to all ways you communicate about your business. From the moment you begin to interact with clients as a massage therapist, whether in person, by phone, in print or virtually, everything you put forth from and about your business should provide a clear, professional and positive representation of who you are, what you do and what clients can expect. Your word is your bond and may very well be the first thing clients know of you.

Photos of you and your office should be clear and professional. Service descriptions, steps and anticipated results should be in line with what the client will experience. Pricing and payment information should be up to date and accurate. Above all else, a golden rule in business is to under-promise and over-deliver. In other words, provide a higher level of service than what the client expects.

That being said, this agreement can backfire if it is used incorrectly. For example, the client schedules a 60-minute massage but “really needs more work,” so you run over by 10 or 15 minutes without asking or charging them. This over-delivery may be intended and perceived as a gracious favor; however, it could also plant a seed of distrust and concern in the client, if they wonder why you spent extra time working on them without telling them or charging them.

Agreement #2: Don’t Take Anything Personally

Ego has no place in the treatment room. To that end, if a client complains about anything, we have to let any feelings of rejection, hurt and sometimes an attitude of “I know better” go in order to honor the client’s perspective, voice and body.

To be truly client-centered, we must, whenever possible, cater the service to their requests, needs and preferences. We can facilitate this when we honor their feelings; put our need to be right to the side; and ask questions to find out more about their discomfort or their needs. Are they OK to continue? Is there pain? Do they feel safe, secure and covered?

We must also be aware of the nonverbal complaints and feedback conveyed by tone, inflection, body language and sometimes silence. As we recognize ourselves as vessels that healing passes through, we must also let the sting of any criticisms wash through us, keeping only the feedback that is useful to the client and our growth.

As a therapist, I have long had a practice of telling my clients at the beginning of a session that nothing they say will hurt my feelings, and thus I give them permission to (and request that) they tell me if anything I do during the session makes them uncomfortable in any way. Truthfully, it can hurt if they criticize one of my “best” moves, but if that technique feels bad to them, “my best” is definitely not “the best for them.”

Agreement #3: Always Do Your Best

This agreement seems like it should be obvious, but unfortunately that is not the case. In some of the legal cases I have seen, the question of whether sexual misconduct occurred is exactly that—a question. However, what is often clear is that one or more parties in the business, whether the front desk, therapist, manager or owner, were not doing their best.

Some examples:

• Inadequate pre-screening of clients prior to scheduling

• Poor consultation before or during the massage

• Sloppy language, techniques or draping

• Inconsistent use of written or verbal informed consent

• Poor focus, lack of attention or boredom during the session

• Unclear guidance or information about what will happen during the service

• Little to no explanation about why specific techniques were used, required, or suggested

• Poor follow-up, concern or care for clients making complaints

Unfortunately, sloppiness and a lack of care in one area can affect other areas negatively. For example, if your treatment room or office is haphazardly organized, it can create problems with finding client files, keeping proper documentation and keeping up with your schedule. Such behaviors can contribute to a client feeling dissatisfied and can compound problems when they are unhappy with your technique or the results they receive during a session.

If you find yourself in a situation where there is a complaint or problem of some kind and you haven’t done your best in the past, do your best right now to right the situation. Rather than ignoring it, acknowledge the problem, apologize, strive to do better and make amends. No one is perfect, but trying to pretend a mistake or slip-up didn’t happen can almost be worse than the event itself.

Agreement #4: Don’t Make Assumptions

A common statement made by massage therapists accused of inappropriate conduct is something along the lines of, “Well, she didn’t say anything when I did ­­­___, so I thought everything was OK.”

Whether you fill in the blank with “put an eye pillow over her eyes,” “worked on her pectoral muscles” or “ran over five minutes,” all of these are assumptions. In some situations, it is perfectly normal and OK to make assumptions, like assuming your client wants the change back from a cash transaction or that if they wanted their feet massaged, they would be OK with you touching their toes.

However, when you are massaging people for money, it is a better practice to ask more questions than not. Specific areas I would get clarity on every time, especially with new clients or those of the opposite sex, are:

• Using an eye pillow or other face covering

• Using aromatherapy

• Massaging the head or hair

• Breathing deeply during the massage

• Removing a blanket or towel

• Doing any stretching during the massage

• Working on a new area or using a technique or product unfamiliar to the client

Some states and businesses require written, informed consent to work on such sensitive areas of the body as the abdomen or glutes. Regardless of what your state or local licensing guidelines are, I would explain the benefits of techniques and procedures while also getting written or verbal permission to provide work before touching:

• Pectoral muscles, armpit area, ribs or sternum on women

• Abdominal and front waist area

• Gluteal muscles, hip rotators and sacrum

• Inner thigh, upper inner thigh, muscle attachments around hip, sitz bones

Taking a cue from Agreement #1 (Be Impeccable with Your Word), it can also be helpful to point out the exact areas you are suggesting work on so the client can see what you are referring to.

Use layman’s language rather than anatomical jargon. The average person doesn’t know the difference between the rectus abdominus, rectus femoris or erector spinae. In a moment of fear, all three sound a lot like “erection” to an untrained or nervous ear, and referring to them may do more harm than good.

Raise Awareness of Client Communication

UsingThe Four Agreements as a guide to help you communicate more effectively with clients and others will raise your levels of awareness and professionalism. Using it as a tool for self-management for directing your thoughts, words, intentions and actions can help you become your best self in and out of the treatment room.

Learn more about Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements,” order the book or watch a free video at miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements.

About the Author

Felicia Brown, LMT, LMBT, is the president of Spalutions, a firm that provides business and marketing coaching and consulting for massage, spa and wellness professionals. She is a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and NCBTMB/FL/GA Approved Continuing Education Provider.

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The self-help industry is massive. Even a very quick search of the internet reveals a super-expansive menagerie of books, courses, websites, uplifting statements, and other resources. Clearly, if supply is any indication, there is an abundant and flourishing demand for self-help material.

It might not be too much of an oversimplification to suggest that people who devour self-help stuff are on a campaign to change some aspect of themselves or their lives. Perhaps they think they’re too timid and get pushed around too easily. Or maybe they think they’re too bossy and should let other people make decisions more often.

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Some people think they’re too uptight and highly strung. They might tell themselves that things would be better if they could just chillax more of the time. Others have the opposite problem. They have the idea that they’re just too darn “go with the flow” about everything and they wish they had more drive and ambition.

Too Much or Too Little

Whatever form the self-help dilemma takes, it usually involves something occurring too much or too little. Have you been in the situation where, for whatever reason, you can’t make some particularly annoying habit happen less or get some beneficial routine to happen more? And so maybe you start to look for an answer.

And, once you start searching for an answer, you’ll never run out of things to try. It seems there is no end of people willing to offer what they think will be the solution to the problem you’re trying to solve.

A little while ago, I discovered a great line by the awesome American comedian George Carlin. Carlin said, “I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, ‘Where’s the self-help section?’ She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.”

There’s a profound message in Carlin’s joke. I wonder if we don’t really pay enough attention to the idea of “self-help.” I have no idea who it was who coined the term or what they had in mind, but I do think that it’s powerfully suggestive.

Your Spot in Your Life

The point is, you are the only person who can create the answer to whatever spot you find yourself in. It’s your spot in your life. No one else knows what it means to be the you you are now or the you you have in mind to be. You, and you alone, are you.

I don’t want to seem overly harsh, simplistic, or flippant. I sincerely understand that many people endure seriously troubling times. And I am very aware that other people, ideas, and strategies can often help.

What I want to emphasize is that, when it comes to finding a solution that perfectly fits you and your situation, no one else can do the work for you.

Most self-help programs and courses seem to be built around what some self-help guru found worked for them in their particular situation. I’m not dismissing their success in any way. I think it’s great that they got to where they wanted to go. I’m just suggesting that what worked for them in their situation, won’t necessarily be the ticket you can use to get the same results on your journey.

If you try something out and you don’t get the happy ending that was promised, that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you. Maybe you could check out if you followed all the steps as they were described, but it’s very likely to be the case that someone else’s self-help success is not yours.

I am not saying other things can’t be helpful. It’s just that you need to create the help. Things won’t be any help at all until you take them in, think them over, try them on, and settle them into all the plans and dreams you are. Maybe they fit and maybe they don’t. If they don’t fit, take something else from the extravagantly abundant selection on offer.

And I’m also not saying that you already have the answer and you’re just not trying hard enough or something like that. I wholeheartedly believe that people don’t generally mope around in states of turmoil and distress if they have a better option. I’m convinced that those people don’t have a satisfactory solution yet, but I’m just as convinced that they have everything they need to create the most perfect, tickety-boo answer that they need for themselves and the life they are crafting.

Self-Help Essential Reads

People don’t need help with answers. They might need some extra ideas or suggestions, but whatever they reach for or seek out can never be delivered ready-made. The answer will be made by them, for them, in whatever timeframe they need. Some people will concoct an answer swiftly, and, for others, it will take longer to be spun together. In whatever way it happens, it has to be the self-helper, and no one else, who is the orchestrator of the show.

There is no getting around the fact that your problems can only be solved by you. Other people can definitely provide assistance and encouragement, but only you can take what is being offered and douse the flames of your torment for a better life.

Self-help can be tough. The rewards are great, but the mission isn’t always easy. While we continue to seek the answers from other sources, however, the quest will continue. When you fill your mind with whatever seems useful, do you also take time to notice the ideas and possibilities your mind creates from all that you feed it? Sometimes the best solutions can be so obvious they are easily overlooked.

Is your ideal you already hiding in plain sight? Only you can tell.

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