Episode 76 – Getting my ACT together

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4376w-12f48fc

In this episode, I invite the listener to join me as I provide a summary account of a virtual, two-day training workshop that I attended about a therapeutic counselling modality called, “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” – otherwise known as ACT.  The total listening experience includes six audio segments. Each of the two days of training includes an introduction to the day and two summary modules about the material covered.  In each module, I provide a concise sharing about a concept central to ACT (i.e. functional contextualism, relational frame therapy, etc.).  Between each module, you will “notice” (the act of mindfully noticing is a big deal to ACT) a very short “typewriting” sound prompt, which is an invitation for the listener to just take a break (actually “pause” the episode) and reflect upon the relevance of the ideas shared to my ongoing discussions about self-coaching and self-care.  Hopefully, during the “paused” moments, one might think how the material relates to one’s ideas about what constitutes self-care and how one might expand one’s thinking about self-care. 

Modules: 

1) Module One: In this module, I talk about “functional contextualism,” which is the underlying philosophical foundation of ACT.  I relate the concept to the idea of the self. I suggest a better frame for the idea of a dynamic self that engages in self-care might be this thing called, “Inter-being wellness.”  Want to learn more about functional contextualism, click here – What is functional contextualism? – YouTube

2) Module Two: In this module, I briefly talk about “relational frame theory,” which is a theory that can work in conjunction with ACT.  I invite the listener to explore one’s idea of what self-care is and how one might expand upon already internalized ideas of self-care.  Is self-care an indulgence? A luxury? What activities constitute self-care? Soaking in a hot tub? Setting a boundary? Having a hard conversation? Making an apology?  Here is a video if you are interested in learning more about RFT – Relational Frame Theory (RFT) From your ACT Auntie – YouTube

3) Module Three: In this module, we explored the benefits of finding or creating a metaphor for one’s life.  Metaphors can orient a person and direct a person. Metaphors capture themes that reveal values and can remind us about what is meaningful during difficult moments.  What life metaphor is operating in your life? Here are some ACT metaphors –

The Stageshow Metaphor – YouTube

Passengers on the Bus – YouTube

Monsters on a Boat – YouTube

4) Module Four: This module is a wrap-up discussion about the ultimate goal of ACT — to build and nurture “psychological flexibility” in one’s life.  There is also acknowledgement that life is hard and that sometimes we get stuck.  During these times, we need to be gentle with ourselves and just keep on practicing skills we already know or open up to learning and trying some new ones.  Watch the following Steven Hayes’ Ted Talk to learn more about psychological flexibility – Psychological flexibility: How love turns pain into purpose | Steven Hayes | TEDxUniversityofNevada – YouTube

Showcase Resource: 

1) The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living (Audible Audio Edition): Russ Harris, Russ Harris, Shambhala Publications: Amazon.ca: Books

2) The following blog post was written after I attended the introductory workshop for ACT way over a year ago.  In it, I talk about the centrality of noticing to the mindfulness practices connected to ACT.  Additionally, I explore what I believe are four core competencies for the practice of self-care. There is also a link for Russ Harris’ ACT webpage where one can access a lot of free material related to different ACT tools and strategies.  https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/online-resources-1/f/making-acceptance-commitment-therapy-relevant-to-life-coaching

A Parting Salutations:

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.

Supporting the Café: 

Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here – https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9

Steve, The Hopeful Humanist

Peace, take care, be well and share!

Episode 75 – On being responsible for the words we use – A question …

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-wfazy-12f5748

This episode is simply a short question. It is an invitation to put one’s “self” under the metaphorical microscope.  This can be a hard thing to do, but it is essential for living a deliberate and mindful life.  

I anticipate that I will follow-up this question with a future episode where I intend to debrief and unpack the question in order to explore the implications it has in our lives as it points to a responsibility to be careful about the words we use.  We shape our lives and our relationships with language.  Should there be a maxim that guides us in this respect?   

For now, however, I find myself just wanting to sit in the question and allow it to percolate.  

A Parting Salutations:

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.

Supporting the Café: 

Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here – https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9

 

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –

Episode 74 – Getting to Dry – A short ”Sounds-Story” & ”Audio-Sound-Blot”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-a3h55-12e2c56

In this very brief episode of the Hopeful Humanist Café, I will showcase what I will simultaneously call a “Sound-Story” & “Audio-Sound-Blot.”  The episode is simply a listening experience.  One might just sit back and get comfortable or grab one’s journal and open up to the possibility of an imaginative outpouring.   

As a “Sound-Story,” the invitation is simply to listen to the collection of sounds so one can string together a story about what is happening.  I see it as a possible prompt for one’s daily journaling exercise.  Using your imagination, what story do the sounds tell you?  Listen and write.  

As an “Audio-Sound Blot,” the invitation is simply to quiet one’s monkey mind, breath, be and just “notice.” Listen and ground.  Use your breath to calm both your body and your inner world.  

The track is 5 minutes and 39 seconds long.  It is created from 13 different sounds.  Can you identify them all?  It was a lot of fun to make.  My youngest son, Blazing Phoenix, who is definitely not a morning person, has found it useful in helping him get up in the morning.  He will migrate from his comfortable bed to the living room couch.  In the dimly lit room, he will cuddle up in his favourite blanket, listen to the track, and challenge himself to gear up for the start of his day by the time the track runs through.  It has become a part of our morning routine.  If it works, use it, right!  

Showcase Resource: 

1) If you want to get in the sandbox and see what you might create as an original beat or something like a “Sounds-Story”/”Audio-Sound-Blot,” check-out Soundtrap from Spotify by clicking here: https://www.soundtrap.com/

I use the free version, but paid upgrades are possible.  

A Parting Salutations:

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.

If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching – Self-Care – Kitchener, Ontario to learn more.  You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com. 

Supporting the Café: 

Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here – https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9

 

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –