Lives In Progress

"Reality is that which, when we stop believing in it, doesn't go away."
Phillip K. Dick
     My husband talks to the television. He goes point-for-point with the pundits. He roots for the good guys with gusto and rails at injustice with rowdy, heart-felt outrage. It sounds a little psychotic, to be honest, but it is just an expression of his full, unself-conscious engagement with whatever has his attention at any given moment. It would be crazy if he believed his noisy protests had some influence on the story playing out on the screen, which he does not. And it would also be crazy if I believed I could – or should – oppress, restrict or in any other way attempt to control his television-watching behavior, which I did, for awhile, out of an irrational and unfounded fear about what the neighbors might think. Two things changed that: I got over myself and we got central air conditioning (windows stay closed, problem solved, if this can actually be considered a problem).
     …

Change is the natural process of life, and in nature it always starts small. A seed. An acorn. Kittens. In nature, the process continually transforms a tiny thing into whatever it is designed to be as long as there is energy available. Seeds into pumpkins. Acorns into oaks. Kittens into furry ambassadors of love. Energy is key, as it is in the intangible - but still completely natural - process that is psychological/emotional growth. As human beings we have the unique capacity to deny change at the same time it is happening and put off actionable change that nature or just good common sense indicates is necessary. We can stop dead as if at a red light, freezing in fear or denial, throwing up psychological roadblocks to the natural flow of creative energy that drives transformation. Stagnant energy turns into anxiety, which amplifies the scary voices in our head and can distort our perception so much that even small things seem unmanageable. So we wait.

     We tend to think the cr…

by Jude Treder-Wolff
     Relationships are the architecture of our personal and professional lives, something especially important to keep in mind during times of rapid, roller-coaster-ride-type economic upheaval. Like right now and into the uncertain future. The gloomy Jobs Reports over the past year indicating economic stormy weather, the (literal) uptick in stormy weather happening all over the planet, the fact that technology is evolving at something like “10 million times the natural speed of evolution” according to economist Brian Arthur, pose unrelenting pressures and some overwhelming problems. But even – or maybe especially – during times of heightened tension and unpredictability - anything can happen with the right tools and mind set. And if the infrastructure of our lives is built of supportive, sheltering networks and robust relationships that are more supply than demand we may be able to improvise our way into a new self, new roles and an expanded creative id…

Assocation for Medical Education & Research in Substance Abuse Annual Conference
Sheraton Crystal City, Arlington, VA  November 3-5, 2011

Presenters: Jude Treder-Wolff, LCSW, RMT, CGP & Nicholas Wolff, LCSW, BCD, TEP
This workshop will integrate evidence-based information about the biochemical and physiological effects of psychological stress with techniques for enhancing personal stress-resiliency. We will employ creative experiences and thinking tools that cultivate the cognitive shifts and skills that have been found to be helpful to health care professionals in sustaining a high level of commitment and performance as well as reduce or reverse symptoms of burn-out.

Click here for  a Power Point presentation about the principles of Stress-Resilience in the prevention of role fatigue and burn-out at Lifestage.org

WHEN: MONDAYS, BI-WEEKLY, 7-9 P.M.  Sept. 12; Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 7
WHERE: LIFESTAGE, INC, 496 Smithtown Bypass  Suite 202  Smithtown NY 11787
Fee: $20/session - Payable onsite before each session or online at smarttix

"If the future is uncertain, best learn how to improvise. Find out how by looking at how actors and jazz musicians do it." Mary Crossan, Organizational Dynamics

The improviser’s mind and skill set is something anyone can learn, practice and use to be more effective, adaptive, and creative in response to problems, and it is the best antidote to professional burn-out. Research shows that improvisation in theater or music grow the psychological “muscles” that improve our resilience to the stresses of modern life, and are a training ground for dealing with uncertainty and the tensions of change that are all around us these days.

We can’t control the economy, the jobs report, what’s happening in the news, or loads of other distressing things that impact us…