Happiness...

Happiness is the art of living, the purpose of our existence. Happiness is the true index of quality of life.  Without happiness, life is dry and meaningless.


With happiness, life immediately becomes fulfilling and wonderful. Happiness is an infectious feeling that immediately lifts the sagging spirits of people.


Happy people keep themselves happy because they know the little ways to appreciate themselves and to see the humour and magic in each moment.

thoughtfortoday.co.uk

Insight...

There is a massive amount of spiritual change going on in my Self right now... it's amazing! An insight I want to share is this (and my tummy rumbles as I write this).

If we, as individuals (at the micro level), are doing a lot of spiritual work at the group (meso level), and the planetary climate signifies... collective conscious change, then the societal level needs to shift in order for the change to happy (at the macro level).

Thus, Gillard's upward rise to the positiion of PM is almost akin to Phoenix physically manifesting (Gillard's red hair signifying the notion of Phoenix) to facilitate the macro level change.

Big statements that I'm expressing here... but, it's what I feel so I may as well communicate it in a safe environment where I will be supported rather than judged.

Unprecedented political change in Australia!

In reference to Kevin Rudd being ousted from his position as Prime Minister of Australia in his first term, and following passionate political debate on my facebook profile, I offer the following commentary. 

I am amazed how much debate my comments sparked!

In hearing that Gillard is PM, I feel happy to have a person leading a party that I actually WANT to vote for rather than wasting a vote. In the 2007 election, I had little faith in either KRudd or JHoward's policies and outward facing profile, and hence voted Green.

However, at this point in time I feel happy that we have an intelligent POLITICIAN leading the country. JGillard is educated in politics and emotionally intelligent. It's refreshing to know that she told Abbott "Game on" in cabinet today when she shook his hand. This shows determination and a strong attitude.

It goes without saying that the environment must be acknowledged and considered, for our future generations. As a parent, I have made a conscious decision to only have one child so as that my choices place the least amount of burden on the earth's resources (be it material, social, physical etc).

As a person who works in the public sector, I can safely say that Unions have their place, they're a voice for the people when the people need advocacy. In my role I see people who need assistance in dealing with tough issues, and the Unions help with advocacy and representation.

I guess it's a matter of preference. I appreciate everyone's comments :D

I end my soap box contribution with a thoughtfortoday.co.uk meditation which is, as always, timely for the day's events!

'Give Regard to Every Soul: Because you recognise that everyone is of unique value, you give regard to every soul by never comparing it to another.'

IMPORTANT GetUp! CAMPAIGN to petition the Federal GOVERNMENT on MENTAL HEALTH REFORM

Major shake ups in Mental Health Reform in Australia...

Professor John Mendoza was the head advisor to the Federal Government on mental health. He resigned his position on Friday, citing years of inaction. Now he is joining this public campaign for mental health reform - please join him by adding your name (no matter your country of origin).

http://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/campaign.php?alias=healthreform&id=1125

Thoughts are like ripples on a pond...

Every thought creates vibrations. Vibrations are like sound waves or radiations. No obstacles, no hurdles can stop them.

Self Mastery

When life is reflecting message to you, be sure to stop and listen.

I'm using "critical reflection" in daily practice (the idea of exploring your thoughts and reactions in order to transform the Self) and received this message from thoughtfortoday.co.uk:

'Before trying to master others, be sure you are the master of yourself.'

On the notion of forgiveness...

Why is it hard to forgive others? Usually because we believe that they are 90% to blame for the problem, that I am not as bad as they are. So I start to carry the load of other people's actions. If my ego is too hurt, I will have the sense of correction, of justice: 'I know I am right', 'That is not fair'. But if I start to forgive from the heart, sincerely, then this kind of feeling and attitude begins to dissolve. I remain humble and this forgiveness will bring me closer to others. Then I do not carry regrets or anger, I just let go and remain light.

Shed the past to move forward into the future

A wise soul opens the window to the future by closing the doors to the past.

Child Centred Play Therapy

While interest in play as a therapeutic intervention has been around since the 1920’s, professional interest has grown steadily over the past decade. This has been driven in part by the recognition of the number of children and adolescents who require effective help, counsellors becoming increasingly aware of the seriousness of emotional difficulties often experienced by children and their likely need for treatment and the growing understanding of the usefulness of play in the child’s life.

Play therapy can be defined as a means through which a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and child is created whereby play becomes the principal medium of communication, shared understanding, insight and change (Wilson 2000).

Play is considered a necessity for normal childhood growth and development (Botkin, 2000). It is through play, that children learn the art of living. There is also a congruent honesty and vividness of expression in the way children interact and communicate while in a play situation (Axline, 1974).

Playfulness in children is considered to be a stable aspect of personality related to such things as creativity, imaginativeness, positive effect, emotional expressiveness and physical activity; which are all resources for creative solutions to problems (Botkin, 2000).

In the context of the important role that play has in the normal growth and development of the child play therapy has been specifically developed to take advantage of this in order to help children between the ages of 3 to 12 years of age to communicate and interact effectively with the therapist in order to address their problems or challenges (Geldard & Geldard, 2008).

Through the medium of play, child and therapist work together in a counselling space called a playroom, which is equipped with toys that aim to encourage clear and vivid expression of feelings while supporting the development of healthier behaviours in a safe, non-threatening environment (Herbert & Ballard, 2007; Levy, 2008; Rasmussen & Cunnigham, 1995).

Theories and practice surrounding play therapy differ within each child psychotherapy tradition. However, each tradition is connected by the central proposition that play transmits and communicates the child’s unconscious experiences, desires, thoughts and emotions whereby it can help the child contextualise meaning and communicate concepts beyond the scope of their limited vocabulary and current understanding of the world and the situation they may be facing.

Virginia Axline (1969, 1971) developed a play therapy for children based on key principles of the person-centred approach. Her approach became known as non-directive play therapy. The person centred approach, originated by Carl Rogers, places a primary focus on the relationship between therapist and client that is based on genuineness, acceptance and trust.

Axline devised a clear and concise Play Therapy theory and method around the same ideas and in doing so, identified 8 core principles of play therapy from this perspective of approach. These core principles are outlined below (Geldard & Geldard, 2008).

Axline’s Eight Principles of Play Therapy

1. The therapist must develop a warm and friendly relationship with the child in which good rapport is established.

2. The therapist accepts the child as he/she is.

3. The therapist establishes a relationship in which the child is free to express their feelings completely.

4. The therapist is alert to recognise the feelings the child is experiencing and reflects those feelings back to the child in a manner that allows the child to gain insight into his/her behaviour.

5. The therapist maintains a deep respect for the child’s ability to solve their own problems. The child has the responsibility to make choices and implement change.

6. The child leads the way. The therapist does not direct the child’s action or conversation in any manner.

7. The therapist does not attempt to hurry the therapy along. The therapist recognises that play therapy is a gradual process.

8. The therapist establishes only those limitations that are necessary to make the child aware of their responsibilities.

(Adapted from Ramirez, Flores-Torres, Kranz & Lund, 2005)

The primary goal of non-directive client centred play therapy is to encourage self directed growth and change in the child. This process occurs through the exploration of the child’s feelings through play to encourage the child’s increased sense of self worth (Moustakas, 1959).

Self directed growth is facilitated by the therapist showing the child they are understood while conveying to the child their potential for self growth. Guerney (1983) noted that client centred play therapy cultivates maturity in children by allowing them opportunity for self exploration. Within the permissive and accepting atmosphere of the play room, it is believed the child will come to recognise their own power for self directed growth.

The goal of the therapist therefore, is to establish a safe environment where through play, the child can freely express their emotions, facilitate decision making, gain a feeling of control, and verbalise their experience (Landreth, 1993).

This approach suggests that the therapist’s role is to create the right conditions to promote such desired therapeutic outcomes. There are 3 core conditions considered essential for the therapist to emulate, in order to catalyse the desired outcomes of this therapeutic approach with the child. These are listed below:

Genuineness and authenticity: the capacity to be real and be themselves as distinct from adopting a role or a defensive posture.

Non-possessive warmth: an attitude of caring and being engaged with friendly concern without becoming overly involved emotionally or offering help for self-serving reasons.

Accurate empathy: the ability to feel and articulate those feelings in a way that helps the child feel understood, and which also helps the child gain understanding of their own feelings.

The therapist also must accept the child unconditionally without any judgements, prejudice or stereotypes that may be derived from the child’s behaviour or history of treatment. In non-directive client centred play therapy, responsibility and direction are left to the child, unlike directive play therapy, in which the therapist may assume responsibility for guidance and interpretation of therapeutic dialogue and direction.

Therapeutic sessions are characterised by a warm, supportive, friendly, and accepting atmosphere that helps build rapport. The therapist aims to encourage the playroom to be seen by the child as their own special place, where they can play with things just about any way he or she would like.

References:

1. Botkin, D. R. (2000). Family play therapy: a creative approach to including young children in family therapy. Journal of Systematic Therapies, 19, 31-42.

2. Geldard, K. & Geldard, D. (2008). Counselling Children. A Practical Guide (3rd ed.). London: Sage Publications

3. Gurney, L.F. (1983). Client centred non directive play therapy. In C.E. Schaefer and K.J.O’Connor (Eds.), Handbook of Play Therapy. (pp.21-64) New York: John Wiley & Sons.

4. Hebert, B.B. & Ballard, M.B. (2007). Children and Trauma: A post Katrina and Rita response. ASCA

5. Landreth, G.L. (1991). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship.

6. Ramirez, S.Z., Flores-Torres, L.L., Kranz, P.L., & Lund, N.L. (2005). Using Axline’s eight principles of play therapy with Mexican –American children. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 32, 329-337.

7. Rasmussen, L.A. & Cunningham, C. (1995). Focused play therapy and non directive play therapy: can they be integrated. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 4, 1-20.


Source: www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au

On Making Mistakes

Mistakes matter. How you recover from them matters even more. The best way to handle a mistake is to learn from the mistake. Then you’ll not repeat it nor ever be paralysed by the fear of making another mistake.

Run Melbourne - 18 July 2010

Want to get fit and help kids? By participating in Run Melbourne and running for Berry Street YOU CAN DO BOTH!

Run Melbourne is a great opportunity for you to challenge yourself and participate in something fun and healthy. It is a great event for people of all ages and will be held on Sunday July 18th.

It’s also a wonderful opportunity to fundraise for Berry Street and help us to change the lives of Victoria’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

It’s easy – simply register for the run at http://www.runmelbourne.com.au/. Then our online partner, Everyday Hero, will automatically create an online fundraising webpage on your behalf. You can then customize your page by selecting Berry Street as your chosen charity. Once completed, simply tell your friends and family so they can jump online and sponsor you.

There are three options available – a half marathon , a 10km run and a 5km run/walk (which gives participants the opportunity to run, do a mixture of running and walking, or you can walk the whole way).

With over 14,000 participants in 2009, 2010 is shaping up to be the biggest Run Melbourne yet. Be a part of this iconic Melbourne event and help to raise much needed funds for the children and young people in Berry Street’s care.

By participating in Run Melbourne you can make a difference.

The Big Swap

From the Fair Trade Australia website http://www.fta.org.au/thebigswap

Make The Big Swap and help make the world a better place.

Let’s get as many people as we can to swap as much as we can. Get active, challenge your friends and swap your usual stuff – your coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate – even your cotton tee shirt – to Fairtrade stuff.

The more we swap the bigger the impact we make on the lives of small-scale producers in developing countries. With 2bn people living on less than $2 a day - swapping your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff helps create a better life for the coffee and cocoa growers, tea pluckers, cotton pickers and banana growers and their families. As well as a guaranteed minimum price, the extra Fairtrade Premium empowers growers to invest in the future for their communities and help themselves out of poverty. So get swapping!

What can I swap?

Fair Trade products are really taking off. It’s no longer just coffee on the shelves. There’s lot’s to choose from.

Refresh yourself with a Fairtrade hot drink and savour the thought that you’re helping to revitalise the local economy for the coffee growers, cocoa farmers and tea pluckers. Thanks to the Fairtrade premium they can send their kids to school or attend a new local clinic instead of having to walk for half a day for medical help. 

Look for the ever growing range of Fairtrade labelled products in your local supermarket or why not check out the great fair trade ranges from outlets such as Oxfam shops in Australia and Trade Aid stores in New Zealand. And even if your favourite shop doesn't stock Fairtrade, why not take one our 'Swap in Your Shop' postcards and ask them to consider swapping to selling some Fairtrade?

Centre for Reiki Research (by William Lee Rand)

A new web site has recently been launched that provides important resources for those interested in Reiki research. The site features a listing and summaries of all Reiki research studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The summaries have been produced using the Touchstone Process; a highly rigorous method of analyzing all the studies in a particular field. Its application to Reiki research is noteworthy. 

The Touchstone Process was developed by the CRR staff, a group of seven doctorally prepared researchers and five nurses and is unique to the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The site also includes articles on research study design, how to write case reports, documenting Reiki sessions, insurance reimbursement for Reiki sessions and the scientific basis of Reiki. A consultation service is also offered for those wanting to conduct Reiki research. In addition, the site contains detailed descriptions of the Reiki programs offered in 64 hospitals across the US. 

The site is free although it is necessary to register to use the information on the site.  http://www.centerforreikiresearch.org/

Inaugural youth mental health conference with Prof Patrick McGorry

Professor Patrick McGorry is to convene the First International Youth Mental Health conference, which will be held in Melbourne on 29–30 July 2010. This important event will bring together health practitioners, researchers, youth sector professionals and young people and their families, and will ‘showcase the best of youth mental health from around the globe’. 

In addition to Prof. McGorry, keynote speakers include Professor Max Birchwood, Clinical Director, YouthSpace; Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer, BUPA Australia; Mr Richard Eckersley, Founding Director, Australia 21; and Professor Bob Illback, Director of Planning & Evaluation, Headstrong. 

Key streams will be youth health and mental health; education and vocational issues; health promotion; drug and alcohol issues; and service reform. It is hoped that this will be the first of many similar conferences. 

For conference details, more about the keynote speakers and to register your interest and be notified when registration is open, go to: http://www.iymhconference.com.au/ 

(Source: Yikes!, newsletter of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, v.8, n.2, 2010.)

Mercury in retrograde... say no more!

Mercury retrograde certainly manifest in a strong form over last few days.  Sunday and Monday found me cooped up in bed with a throat like golfballs (although I don't have tonsils), very sore ears and swollen glands.  Fortunately I don't have glandular fever; but this leads me to wonder what personal truth am I holding back?

The week leading up to this bout of ill health was a typically normal week: work, gym, taking my son to child care, spending time with relatives and seeing friends.  Maybe my rigorous gym routine of late has left my inner health depleted?  Perhaps the acupuncture session I had last week brought someting to the surface? Or maybe there was some interaction during the week that was so subtle that I cannot pinpoint in waking life?  Or is this just a coincidence that requires a simple acceptance of what is rather than searching for a spiritual meaning to ill health?

"Acceptance gives me the experience of being like an angel: never judging, never criticising and never worrying" thoughtfortoday.co.uk

Om Namah Shivaya!

Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi Devi)

"We must not complain about the darkness around. We have a lighted candle with us. Take each step with faith. That candle will shed light on the next step." Amma

I am truly grateful for the blessing I received this week from Ammachi. I meditated on the notion of peace whilst in Amma's presence and felt blissfully peaceful after darshan.

I send forth love and light to followers of Earth and Sea Holistic Therapies, and ask that you reconnect with the candle that burns within your heart. May the candle radiate with peace and bliss, rippling to every person that crosses your path.

Om Namah Shivaya!
Merryn

William Lee Rand's World Peace Card Meditation - 14 April 2010

World Peace Card Meditations
Wednesday, April 14, 7:30pm (based on local time in your time zone)

Future Dates
Wednesday, May 12, 7:30pm; Wednesday, June 16, 7:30pm; Wednesday, July 14, 7:30pm

You are invited to take part in the next World Peace Card Meditations. Please mark your calendar and forward this email to all your friends.

Thanks for your help!

Because so many of you forwarded this email to your friends, there have been almost 163,000 downloads of the World Peace Cards. This is a tremendous increase in the number of people using the cards. So far the total number of World Peace Card sets downloaded, received from our free offer and from our magazine has been almost 178,000! I hope you have been using your peace cards as their use brings blessings to the world as well as to you.

The next World Peace Card group meditation has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 14. This is local time in your time zone. This method has been chosen because of the special effect it produces. As people meditate in each successive time zone the energy builds like a wave which gets stronger and stronger as it circles the planet. Because of the higher dimensional nature of consciousness, the energy of peace will be transmitted for a full 24 hours and continue long after this.

Reports from those who took part in the previous meditations indicate many had powerful spiritual experiences. As they united with those taking part in the meditation a feeling of peace developed within that stayed with each for a long time. Some saw beautiful golden light surrounding the planet and others felt that a web of fear was dissipating and being replaced with trust in others and for our future.

All those who have received the cards are being asked to meditate on world peace at this time. By taking part in this group meditation, you’ll be joining thousands of people who will be using the cards to bring peace to the world. By joining together, the affect we have will be greatly multiplied. This powerful experience and will help shift the vibration of our wonderful planet into a higher state of consciousness. As you use the cards to meditate on world peace, you will be a beacon through which peace will spread around the planet which will have a positive uplifting effect on all people.

Please set aside this time to meditate with the cards. The suggested meditation period is 15 minutes, but of course you can meditate longer if you’d like to. The technique I’d like you to use is based on allowing yourself to be a beacon of peace. The World Peace Cards hold the vibration of the World Peace Grids which have been placed at spiritually significant locations and are relay stations for higher consciousness. By simply opening to their energy, you’ll become a channel for their love and peace which will flow through you to all the people on Earth. To do this, hold the cards in your hands or place them in front of you. Then simply meditate on peace.

We are entering a new era. Our entire planet including all the people and living things are moving into a place where it will be much easier to solve our problems and to create peace, prosperity and happiness for everyone. The World Peace Card meditation will quicken this process, making it easier for people to experience this new quality of higher consciousness and will provide great benefit for all people. Since this benefit will be flowing through you out to everyone on the planet, you'll be blessed by this experience as well.

Many have received the cards in the mail or in the Reiki News Magazine while others have downloaded them from our web site. If you would like additional copies of the cards, please download them using this link and print as many copies as you can use. Please feel free to give them to your friends. Also, forward this email to anyone you feel would like to take part in the meditation.

World Peace Card Download

http://www.reiki.org/WPCM.html

Note: This is a larger file and it may take several minutes for it to open, so please be patient.

When printing the cards from this file, print page 2 first, then place this page in your printer and print the image of the peace grids on the back.

Thank you for taking part in this group meditation.

Sincerely,
William Lee Rand
The International Center for Reiki Training

A Peaceful Mind

'Peace of mind comes not from wanting to change others, but by simply accepting them as they are. ' thoughtfortoday.co.uk

Observations and Reflections from Mentoring Training - 27 March 2010

Volunteers in the Making Trax Mentoring Program span the breadth of the twentieth century’s generational ranges. Assuming my guess of age is somewhat accurate; we come from the Greatest Generation (G.I. Generation)/Silent Generation, Baby Boomers Generation, Generation X and Generation Y (Generation, List of Generations in the Western World, 2010).

Notwithstanding age, each mentor brings a vast wealth of life, work and personal experience to the program. From the stories shared in the training session, I hear inner selves that identify with words such as orphan, recovered alcoholic, Koori youth worker/integration aide, personal assistant/holistic counsellor, and employment officer. I believe that each mentor yearns to assist the Making Trax mentees to find their purpose in life and reach their own potential.

Our generations often find contemporary youth to be unprecedented, alien and a generation who ‘want everything now’. Perhaps this is due to being a part of the digital age from conception? Adolescence brings many changes to a child’s world, and if youth are unable to transform in a safe, secure and non-threatening environment, risk taking behaviour increases.

A challenge youth face is to engage in positive risk taking in real time in the real world. It could be said that this is due to the overly cautious society that we live in; public liability insurance and corporate risk management strategies often give youth programs a constraining framework to operate within.

The notion of the village has changed; youth are generally not as connected to elders and therefore basic life skills and manual, traditional ways of doing everyday jobs are being lost. Disadvantaged youth are therefore unable to learn the basic life skills like cooking, washing clothes, mowing the lawns, or sewing because their parents, for one reason or another, may not have the capacity to teach them. “Can communities and society be strong if our children and young people are not?” (Stanley, 2003).

Fortunately, in East Gippsland, youth have been given a chance to engage with adults who care about the collective. Youth participating in the Making Trax Program are able to learn valuable life skills; identify their purpose in life; build their self-esteem; take risks in a safe environment; and grow, learn, develop and have fun.

Works Cited
Generation, List of Generations in the Western World. (2010, March 24). Retrieved March 27, 2010, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation#Western_world

Stanley, F. (2003, April 8). Communities in Control Speeches, It takes a village to raise a child. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from Our Community: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/files/fiona_stanley_speech.pdf

“Can communities and society be strong if our children and young people are not?”. (Fiona Stanley, 2003)

I am fortunate to be a part of a mentoring program for Making Trax, which is an Innovation Fund project funded by Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).  

Making Trax is a highly innovative and exciting project aimed at young men aged 16-25 who face barriers to successful participation in the community as a result of childhood trauma, violence, abuse and neglect.

The program uses a very interactive and holistic approach, and works on the premise that long term change for people with significant barriers to work and participation will only be achieved with a long term approach that looks at the whole person, rather than just focusing on developing work skills.

Through group activities, mentoring and individual counselling the program aims to assist these young men to:

• Identify the impact of these experiences
• Explore such impact on their subsequent ability to successfully participate in personal relationships, parenting and employment
• Identify and address learned behaviours which have arisen as a result of their life experiences, and develop strategies to overcome the negative impact of such behaviours
• Provide skilled and committed mature male program leaders, mentors and role models to positively assist them to address the barriers caused by such life experiences
• Build the capacity of each individual to successfully participate in the community, and to participate in future program development

The project will be delivered initially at three Community College Victoria (CCV) member sites in Yarra Junction, Bairnsdale and Benalla over a twelve month period, and subject to positive evaluation and approval from DEEWR, rolled out to a further two CCV member sites for the following twelve months.

The project will develop and trial a model which can potentially be offered to Job Services Australia providers for their Stream 4 clients.