Doc Meek

Posts Tagged ‘teacher training’

Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jabru/4549490/

Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Today I am grateful for the knowledge of the neurology of learning.

“Reverse” language is actually “forward” language, however everybody has to kind of reverse themselves to get the hang of it in ordinary daily speech.

When someone says they had a good day or a bad day, the brain makes a picture of a good day or a bad day.

This results in one more picture in the “yellow sunshine place” in the brain, or in the “black box,” depending upon whether the picture was a good one or a bad one.

We have enough pictures that are not good in the black box already. We don’t need any more!

Someone estimated that by the time a child reaches grade one, he has 100,000 not so good pictures in his black box, and only about 3,000 good pictures in his yellow sunshine place.

Not good odds eh? When your brain is reaching for a thought, what are the chances of getting one from the yellow sunshine place?

These stacked odds are in the brains of children from normal families, with no history of neglect or abuse! Imagine the odds if the child has been witness to not good pictures all his young life, and may have even been directly abused?

Not good.

On the other hand you can daily right the balance.

I used to teach parent and teacher classes. I would day to them, “Ask me what kind of a day I had yesterday, OK?”

Someone would always oblige and I would reply:

“Let me tell you, it was not one of my best days. Not good. Not pleasant. Not great.”

So they all knew that I had not had a good day.

However, from a neurological learning point of view, here is what is happening inside the brain:

The brain cannot do a “not” without first making a picture of what comes next. In my example, as you can see, what comes next in each case is positive word or phrase (“one of my best days,” “good,” pleasant,” and “great.”)

So the yellow sunshine place got 4 more good pictures, even though I was describing a day that was not good.

Pretty good for a day that was not what I had hoped for, eh? 😮

You can  use “reverse” (actually “forward”) language like that as a matter of habit and you will be filling your yellow sunshine place to the brim over time. This will stack the odds in your favor tremendously when you reach for a thought! 😮

Thank you to whomever it was that realized that we can stack the odds in our favor, every day, simply by using “reverse” language! 😮

Doc Meek, Wed, Mar 16, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

Image from: http://twitpic.com/48ngyf

Monday, March 14, 2011. Today I am grateful for Dr Terrie Wurzbacher, who points us to the fact that the Japanese are responding to this horrific disaster with dignity and honor. There is no looting or violence. Thank you, Terrie!

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THE WORLD HAS CHANGED
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Yes, the world has,indeed, changed this week – both
literally and figuratively.

The earth has shifted on its axis since the Earthquake
in Japan.

There’s been an impact on the United States from this
quake as you know – the tsunami hit Hawaii and California –
we are not separated from the rest of the world as we
sometimes believe or act.

How has your world and your view of the world changed
this week?

Or has it?

I hope it has.

If nothing else we should take many lessons from this
disaster. Sure, there are logistical lessons in the
disaster realm and there will be health lessons too.
These are important because, as we have learned in
recent years (especially after Hurricane Katrina) the
United States is not immune to such disaster.

But, what I’m talking about is the dignity and honor
with which the Japanese people are responding. Sure
they are “shell-shocked” but there is no looting nor
violence (and we certainly have enough video and
on site reporting that would let us know if there were).
What does that tell us about ourselves. It tells me I
am embarrassed that we behave this way in the US when
adversity hits. We pull out our guns instead of our
kindness and respect. We strike out with our fists and
nasty words, instead of embracing each other and reaching
out with open, not closed, hands.

What can you learn from all of this. Please do not turn a
blind eye to what’s going on. Can you even possibly imagine
watching the tsunami wash over your home and city right
before your eyes, realizing you only have what’s on your
body left – nothing else. Reach out to help others – donate
a few dollars, pray for them and even more importantly start
thanking the Universe for the wonderful things you have in
your life. Write in your gratitude journal and if you don’t
have one, go to http://www.GratitudeTracker.com . The more
positive thoughts and gratitude you send out to the Universe
right now will actually help the Japanese people and country
in ways you won’t even know.

Live your life today.

Be grateful for what you have right now.

Be kind to others. Reach out to others in whatever way you can.

Terrie
http://www.GettingUnstuckLLC.com

Getting Unstuck,LLC
‘..Practice What You Wish To Become’
http://www.gettingunstuckllc.com

14715 War Admiral
San Antonio, Tx 78248
540-287-8412

Thank you, Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher, for your kindness and insight and motivation for all of us in the face of any kind of disaster, national or personal!

Doc Meek, Monday, March 14, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

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Images from: http://pics.tech4learning.com/?search=cat&query=American+Sign+Language_Alphabet

Monday, March 7, 2011. Today I am grateful to know that if I want my students, children, co-workers, colleagues, friends, etc., to learn something new from me, I must learn to change first.

All learning involves change of some kind. If I as a teacher, parent, mentor, whatever, am not prepared to change and learn, I cannot expect those whom I teach to change and learn.

I cannot hope for changes/learnings for those in my charge, if I cannot make some changes/new learnings for myself first.

Doc Meek, Mon, Mar 7, 2011, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

Image from: http://www.amazon.com/Grieving-Pain-Promise-Deanna-Edwards/dp/1577341732/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298265141&sr=1-1

Below are the front and back covers of the book entitled By Grace of Mourning, authored by Corry Roach:

ByGraceOfMourningFrontCover.jpg 502K   View Download

ByGraceOfMourningBackCover.jpg 488K   View Download

Monday, February 21, 2011. Today I am grateful for those who know the terribleness of pain and the promise of pain. Such a one is Deanna Edwards (and also one we reported in a previous article, Corry Roach). ~ Doc Meek

Deanna Edwards’ husband, a writer, said:

“We don’t know what we know until we write it down. We think in pictures and we need to translate those pictures into verbal symbols. Writing is learning!” – Grieving: The Pain and the Promise, page 178.

Creative effort can awaken and challenge the sleeping giant within us.

Thank you, Deanna Edwards, for helping to awaken the sleeping giant within each of us!

Doc Meek, Mon, Feb 21, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. For those of you who may have missed my previous article on the great value of mourning, here is the link:

“Talking vs doing.” ~ Doc Meek

This article features Corry Roach, http://www.ByGraceOf Mourning.ca

Below are the front and back covers of the book entitled By Grace of Mourning, authored by Corry Roach:

ByGraceOfMourningFrontCover.jpg 502K   View Download

ByGraceOfMourningBackCover.jpg 488K   View Download

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Friday, February 11, 2011. Today I am grateful for people who are engaged in helping girls, not just complaining about their plight. Such a one is Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation, from whom I received the following email recently.

Whole classrooms and whole schools could add their support to this UNF  “Girl Up” project:

DEAR DR. MEEK,

The United Nations Foundation’s “Girl Up” campaign is a growing movement that is helping shine light on the needs of adolescent girls around the world. We were honored that TIME Magazine chose to highlight “Girl Up” in the February 14th issue, which is out [early]! The article addresses the need to focus more development aid on girls and recognizes those who are empowering teen girls to give back to the global community.

Advocating for women and girls has always been one of the United Nations Foundation’s top priorities. We believe that helping girls succeed is essential in the global drive to eliminate poverty and create a better, healthier, safer world. Studies have shown that an extra year of primary school boosts girls’ eventual wages by 10% to 20% and that an extra year of secondary school increases that statistic by 15% to 25% more. That’s why since our founding, we’ve donated more than $44 million to United Nations programs that support adolescent girls in the developing world, and why we launched the “Girl Up” campaign last year — a campaign that connects girls in the U.S. with their peers around the world.

I encourage you to read the article and share with friends, family and colleagues. And if you haven’t yet, sign our pledge at:

http://www.girlup.org/pledge

to lend your voice in uniting for girls around the world.

We’re not just investing in girls in other countries — we’re investing in girls in the U.S., too. Nancy Gibbs says it perfectly, “And one at a time, a rising generation of American girls helps create the next generation of leaders, for the coming quiet revolutions.”

Thank you for uniting with us,

Kathy Calvin, UN Foundation CEO
UNFoundation.org …………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you, Kathy Calvin, for reminding us that one of the best investments we can make worldwide is girls!

Doc Meek, Friday, February 11, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. I was delighted to sign the pledge to help girls worldwide. It cost me nothing: http://www.girlup.org/pledge

As mentioned above:

Whole classrooms and whole schools could add their support to this UNF  “Girl Up” project!

Thursday, February 10, 2011. Today I am grateful for Mike Adams. The reason I subscribe to his free health and wellness newsletter is that I can learn facts from an independent source who is honest and reliable. He is beholden to no special interests or advertisers.

Thank you, Mike Adams, for being a source of learning we can rely upon in these biased times!

Doc Meek, Thursday, February 10, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. NaturalNews.com logo and information:

Location:

Tucson, AZ

Founded:

March 2004

About:

NaturalNews.com is an independent news resource that covers the natural health and wellness topics that empower individuals to make positive changes in their personal health. NaturalNews offers uncensored news that allows for healthier choice.

“A registered nurse for more than thirty five years, Corry Roach continues to practise the therapy she pioneered as a result of her healing journey after her daughter Lindsay’s death.”

Image/text from: http://www.ByGraceofMourning.ca

Corry Roach once asked me if she should accept an invitation from a post-secondary institution to teach a course on her speciality: Therapeutic Art Methods. I suggested she ask the institution: “Do you want me to talk about my psychotherapeutic practice or do you want me to do my Therapeutic Art Methods (invite  your students to experience my psychotherapeutic work for themselves, by actually doing it or trying it out in class)?

They wanted her to just talk about her Therapeutic Art Methods, NOT engage the students with the rich experience itself. She declined that particular assignment. Corry is clear: “You have to experience it to appreciate and understand it.”

I recently emailed Corry about a student who is taking an art therapy class. I asked Corry if I could refer this student to her so that the student could learn invaluable aspects of art therapy from her also. Here is Corry’s response:

“Collins, I am not an art therapist, per se. I am a nurse specializing in Therapeutic Art Methods, and I have integrated this with adjuncts into a pioneered practise of psychotherapy. The adjuncts are NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming), Therapeutic Touch, Senoi Indian Dream work, Jungian dream work, resonance in music therapy, the analysis of fairy tales, and psychodrama. As well, I use the work of the late Elisabeth Kubler Ross, M.D., in externalization work [helping the clients experience their deepest feelings/experiences by bringing them into conscious awareness].

“I was informed by my professional nursing association in 1986 that I was functioning at a doctorate level, but when one does pioneered work, there remain no degrees or letters behind one’s name. I have left it so by choice, although I’ve taught MDs, PhDs, social workers, nurses and teachers, as well as in institutions of learning (University of Alberta, Grant McEwan University, Red Deer College, Children’s hospital in Calgary).

“The difference between art therapy and my work of Therapeutic Art Methods is the analysis of the unconscious content in spontaneous drawings, which is also where the experiential adjuncts apply, i.e the picture work [created by the client on the spot] identifies the client’s issues, and the adjuncts are modalities that assist in the “working it through” of those issues. Together, they  form a powerful healing tool that transcends boundaries [usually] found in other forms of therapy and healing work. Preverbal children and aphasics (those unable to speak) may also benefit. Historically, I have found it immensely rewarding through my work with dying patients and their families, children and those seeking support on their spiritual healing journey.

“Art therapists have told me many times that my work goes much deeper than art therapy, and from my experience of both modalities academically and experientially, I must agree this is so.

“I am delighted your [student] is taking the St Stephen’s [art therapy] program, as Dr Leslie Gardner teaches there and is a dear friend for many years, and is very familiar with my work. You may also wish to direct her to http://www.ByGraceofMourning.ca for more information on my work in the field of grief resolution. It is coming to my attention more these days that I should perhaps elaborate on my drawing therapy work [Therapeutic Art Methods] on the website.” ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you, Corry Roach, for your pioneering work using Therapeutic Art Methods and its adjuncts, which has healed the hearts of a multitude of children (and adults)!

Doc Meek, Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. Below are the front and back covers of the book entitled By Grace of Mourning, authored by Corry Roach:

ByGraceOfMourningFrontCover.jpg 502K   View Download

ByGraceOfMourningBackCover.jpg 488K   View Download

Monday, February 7, 2011. Today I am grateful for Dr. David Burns, who many years ago now, helped teach me about the pathway for defeating deep depression, helping me to learn the pathway of healthier thinking. Now he has an updated version of his famous book, Feeling Good.

Image and text from: http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-New-Mood-Therapy/dp/B00150FQAS/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297064736&sr=1-3

Image from: http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Handbook-David-Burns/dp/0452281326/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297067696&sr=1-1

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Thank you, David Burns, for leading us out of the wilderness of pain and into clearer cognitive light!

Doc Meek, Monday, February 7, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

Friday, February 4, 2011. Today I am grateful for people who organize themselves and don’t wait for government to step in. Such a one is Penny Gill, who started a cooking school in her own home for adults and adolescents with autism. Penny founded Autism/PDD* Family Alliance to encourage such services by volunteers. [*PDD = Pervasive Developmental Disorder]

Image/text below from: http://www.cookingwithautism.com/about-us/

ABOUT US: AUTISM/PDD FAMILY ALLIANCE

Autism/PDD Family Alliance began serving the needs of teenagers and adults with Aspergers and other forms of autism through innovative services in 2001 – offering specially designed programs for these individuals and their unique learning styles.

As a registered charity, AFA operates through a dedicated group of volunteers, who pride themselves on the fact that all of the charity’s funds go directly to services, not to overhead or administration.

Image/text above from: http://www.cookingwithautism.com/about-us/ …………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you, Penny Gill and John Varney, for teaching us to be inclusive and to learn from each other!

Doc Meek, Friday, February 4, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. I learned of Penny Gill from an article entitled “Making it Matter: A Recipe for HOPE,” in the Reader’s Digest, February 2011, page 31.

I learned of John Varney from the internet:

Northern Leadership Academy: http://www.logovisual.com/articles/understanding_leadership_with_LVT.pdf