The Hopeful Humanist

Episode 84 – Hope and Openness for Healing and Recovery

Posted on April 1, 2024 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-hih7a-15c9c6b

Welcome to another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode I attempt to tie a number of threads together from some of the pitfalls of self-care to the importance of hope, openness, and compassion for a healing or recovery journey.

Quotes:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

– Emily Dickinson

2) “It’s always something, to know you’ve done the most you could. But, don’t leave off hoping, or it’s of no use doing anything. Hope, hope to the last!” ― Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

Wellness Resources:

1) Action of Happiness – Click this link to access the webpage Happier Kinder Together | Action for Happiness

2) Anxiety Canada – Click this link to access the webpage Anxiety Canada | Self-help Resources, Programs & Services

3) CAMH – Click this link to access the webpage The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | CAMH

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 1 – The Happier Quest | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2) Episode 6 – Standing up to Anxiety and Confronting the Absurd | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

3) Episode 67 – Expanding the dashboard: Covid-19, mental health and substance use | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Thank-you:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I’m always eager to hear your thoughts.

Looking ahead, I’ve got some exciting episodes in the pipeline, covering a variety of topics aimed at enhancing our understanding of the world, ourselves, and how we can cultivate a fulfilling and balanced life.

As we wrap up today’s episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let’s create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.

Peace, take care, be well, and share!

Episode 83 – Pickleball Etiquette as an Allegory for Life

Posted on December 16, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-rhbj9-151eb38

In this episode, I provide articles for listeners to access who might be interested in learning the unwritten rules of etiquette for Pickleball. I then suggest that pickleball itself might be the meaning of life and offer ideas about what might constitute the good life.

Quote:

1) “Pickleball is cheaper than therapy” – unknown

2) “Pickleball is the meaning of life — why not?” – Hopeful Humanist

3) Here are some from Pickleball Peeps. Click here: Pickleball Quotes – Pickleball Peeps (pickleball-peeps.com)

Resources:

1) Pickleball in Canada – January 2023 Survey: PICKLEBALL IN CANADA – JANUARY 2023 SURVEY – Pickleball Canada

2) Pickleball Canada: Pickleball Canada – Advancing Pickleball for All, for Life!

3) What is rally point? Pickleball Rally Scoring: How It Works & Why To Give It a Try! – Pickle Geeks

4) What is Mortimer Pickleball? Can More Than Four Play Pickleball At Once? – Monmouth Area Pickleball (monmouthpickleball.org)

About the rules

1) The Unwritten Rules of Pickleball – Selkirk Sport

2) Pickleball Etiquette: 19 Unspoken Rules for Newcomers – Paddletek Pickleball

3) Sportsmanship Guide | USA Pickleball

Thank-you:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

Peace, take care, be well, and share!

Episode 82 – Getting right with being wrong

Posted on November 18, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-htsbx-14f619b

How well do you do with managing being wrong? Are you able to recognize internally when you are wrong? Are you able to acknowledge being wrong and take ownership for your thoughts and actions? Is there a difference between being wrong and making a mistake? Join me in this tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about one thread of the so many conversations that could take place on being wrong. At the end of the main podcast discussion, I have included some bonus material. First, a quick poem by William Blake recited by Danielson and then a thought about a way of making the conversation about being wrong relevant to Dawn (See episode 79 – Locating Dawn).

Quotes:

“People who care more about being right than ending right prove just how wrong they were all along.” (Lysa Terkeurst)

“When Frog got up one morning, he realised at once that something was wrong with the world. Something had changed.” (Max Velthuijs, Frog in Winter)

Resources:

1) Do you agree with Scott – Is there a difference between making a mistake and being wrong? Read this short article and see what you think: “I Was Wrong” vs “I Made a Mistake” – Scott Cochrane

2) Here is an additional thought from a person named Steve. Read his short article and see where you land: Wrong or a mistake? — The Steven Thompson Experience

Novel First Sentences & Journal Prompts:

This part of the show notes is non-sequitur in nature. It has nothing to do with the topic addressed in this episode. It is part of project to inspire creativity for aspiring writers. I offer these sentences as possible points of inspiration for others to take and make their own for either a novel or a prompt for a journal entry. Below, Banksy captures the spirit in a quote:

“I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism.” Banksy

1) My papa was the unpublished author of the unwritten book, “Not a fairy tale at the branches of bliss.” In its substance, it was …………………elusive!

2) It was the Black Friday before the Black Friday of the American Black Friday. Everyone was tickled dizzy with thoughts about how much green they would save. Can’t wait for Cyber Monday.

3) Barry’s painful pickle-ball groin injury turned going to the toilet into a very crappy experience.

4) I decided to play hooky today and go fishing with my son. All we caught was the sunrise. That was enough.

5) Brad (cursing): That guy makes me so angry I could punch the wall!!!

Sue the therapist (in a kind voice): What if you could do something to make your button smaller?

6) I never used to like fried eggs and now I have an iPhone 12.

7) The book felt happy. How could it be otherwise? – another dog-eared page, another scribbled thought in the margin, and another sentence highlighted in yellow!

8) 2080, virtual library, 40 degrees C

Avatar-j (Jacob): Can I get Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau?

AI Assistant: Sorry, it is not currently in circulation.

Avatar-j (Jacob): It’s not circulation? Since when? It is an America Classic! Is it banned because of the protests?

A.I. Assistant: Absolutely not! It’s just not published anymore for circulation.

9) Brook thought, ‘With both sides of the aisle taking books permanently off the shelves, what will be left to read?’

10) The thought took hold of Jack and then he had something to say.

Related Episodes:

1. Episode 79 – Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2. Episode 44 – “What if …” – The Optimist Edition | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

3. Episode 13 – Ingredients of an Apology: Valuing Relationships | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

4. Episode 12 – Difficult Conversations | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Salutations:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

Peace, take care, be well, and share!

Episode 81 – The Novel First Sentence & Journal Prompt Project

Posted on October 25, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9n9yp-14bc31d

Welcome to another unedited, blithering episode of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode, I share with you a leisure project I have been experimenting with on X (formerly Twitter) and Minds. I believe that everyone has within them one book to write. Having said that, however, it should be noted that writing is something that requires time, energy and talent. It is hard work. Reluctantly, I have arrived at the realization that writing is not my wheelhouse. I have a number of friends, Danielson included, that I think are very capable writers and I look forward to the possibility one day of reading a published work. Although I am not able to bring to life a coherent book of sorts, I do have moments where I am struck by what I think could be a fairly decent first sentence for a book – perhaps your book.

Quote: “I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism.” Banksy

Novel First Sentences/Journal Prompts to share:

1. Sage desperately scrambled for some paper and a pen as she did not want to lose the thought. It was fading fast.

2. Bob thinks with the entirety of his body. Every thought pops with a gesticulation of accentuation.

3. “What was is no longer; what is has just begun.”

4. Francis Luddite was the most avant-garde thinker in our group. We could not wait to see his new invention.

5. Looking up into the infinite night, Teri felt small but not alone. She realized: ‘i am the cosmos. i and God are ONE.’

6. Passing by Janus, the man flicked his cigarette butt onto the sidewalk as if the world was his ashtray. Janus shook his head and thought: ‘The crown of creation; the apex of evolution – sure.’

7. “Darius was feeling apoplectic with himself. He thought he should’ve known better.”

8. Guy was an undiagnosed romantic of the provocateur type where life was exalted and mucky all at once.

9. “In his youth, Darius championed the truth – at all cost! When that became costly, he pursued peace. Now, years later, he just looks forward to a little kindness each and everyday.”

10. “Life is not a fairy tale, but it is full of everything that makes one.”

Resource links:

1) Link for “The Banksy Museum” in Barcelona located on Carrer Trafalgar, 34, 08010 Barcelona. Note in the Podcast, I suggested the permanent exhibit does not direct connection to the Banksy enterprise. This is an assumption, and as it has been hard to garner any information about who is operating the venue, I am inclined to think I may be incorrect. Below, I have included a link for more information about the Banksy exhibit in Barcelona and a link to Wikipedia as a first step (and only a first step) to learn more about the artist.

Museu Banksy Museum : Banksy Exhibition in Spain (museobanksy.es)

Banksy – Wikipedia

Social Media Platforms:

1) X (Twitter) – Go to The Hopeful Humanist Cafe @HopefulCafe – For those interested, at an earlier point and time, I experimented with a personal project to write a story or short tweets called, “Off-Script Living.” It was an attempt to create a piece of Twitterature. For now, it sits on the backburner.

2) Minds – Got to: The HopefulHumanist – I am not convinced about this platform. Currently, I have stopped posting.

Thank-you for joining me for another tip of the iceberg conversation.

Peace, take care, be well & share!

Episode 80 – Dreaming about the Hero’s Journey

Posted on July 3, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vtqid-14249cf

Salutations and welcome to episode 80 of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. This episode starts with a question from Danielson about the Hero’s Journey – How far must one travel from one’s home before it is fair to call the experience a journey? Can simply stepping outside one’s door of one’s home constitute a journey? Furthermore, can framing the challenge of “getting through” a physical or mental illness as a journey be helpful and empowering? While pouring myself into a number of conversations with different souls, one night, in a dream, an answer (notice I did not say ‘THE’ answer) presented itself. Listen to hear me share the dream and some tentative thoughts. In the back ground, near the end of the conversation you will notice the sounds of life (birds singing, the pattering of rain, and some other outside sounds). The episode ends with a thread-thought from Danielson about Dawn and the Hero’s Journey.

T-shirt Idea: Thinking about the meaning of life (Thank-you Danielson – keep on singing)

Definitions – words need to mean something:

Journey: Definition: A journey refers to a long and often challenging passage or process, typically involving personal growth, exploration, or achievement of a specific goal. It involves embarking on a quest or undertaking a significant endeavor, which may be physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature.

Example: “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. The main character, Bilbo Baggins, goes on a journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Throughout the story, Bilbo encounters numerous obstacles, faces his fears, and undergoes personal transformation, ultimately emerging as a courageous and self-assured individual.

Trip: Definition: A trip refers to a relatively short excursion or voyage taken for pleasure, leisure, or business purposes. It often involves visiting a specific destination or engaging in a specific activity, and is typically focused on enjoyment, relaxation, or gaining new experiences.

Example: “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. The protagonist embarks on a trip across Italy, India, and Indonesia after a difficult divorce. The trip is centered around self-discovery, healing, and finding joy in life again. Through the various destinations and encounters along the way, the main character explores different cultures, indulges in culinary delights, and explores her spirituality.

Vacation: Definition: A vacation refers to a period of time when an individual or a group takes a break from work or daily routines to relax, unwind, and engage in leisure activities. It often involves traveling to a different location or engaging in activities that bring pleasure and enjoyment.

Example: “The Beach” by Alex Garland. The protagonist, Richard, takes a vacation to a secluded and supposedly idyllic beach in Thailand. However, as the story progresses, the vacation turns into a thrilling and unsettling experience as the characters confront challenges and conflicts in their pursuit of an idyllic paradise.

Mission: Definition: A mission refers to a specific task, duty, or purpose assigned to an individual or a group, typically with a sense of importance, responsibility, or urgency. It often involves striving to achieve a particular objective or goal and may require dedication, commitment, and a clear sense of purpose.

Example: “The Martian” by Andy Weir. The main character, astronaut Mark Watney, is left stranded on Mars after his crew mistakenly believes he died during a mission. The story follows Watney’s mission to survive, overcome numerous obstacles, and find a way to communicate with Earth to ensure his rescue. His determination and resourcefulness in the face of extreme challenges exemplify the essence of a mission.

Regarding the relationship between the word “journey” and Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey, it is important to note that Campbell’s work focuses on the underlying structure of myths and stories across cultures. The Hero’s Journey is a narrative pattern that involves a hero undertaking an adventure or quest, facing challenges, undergoing transformation, and returning home with newfound wisdom or treasures.

In Narrative Therapy, which is a psychotherapeutic modality, the term “journey” is often used metaphorically to describe the process of therapy itself. The therapeutic journey involves exploring one’s life experiences, examining personal narratives, and working towards desired changes and personal growth. Narrative therapists aim to help individuals reframe their stories and create new narratives that promote healing, resilience, and well-being. The concept of journey in this context emphasizes the ongoing nature of therapy and the idea that change and growth are possible through the exploration of personal narratives.

How far must one go from home before one can call it a journey?

The distance one must go from home for an experience to be considered a journey is subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives and cultural contexts. The concept of a journey is not solely defined by physical distance but encompasses the depth of personal growth, challenges faced, and the transformative nature of the experience.

A journey can occur even within one’s immediate surroundings or within the confines of their mind. It could be an inner journey of self-discovery, emotional exploration, or overcoming personal obstacles. In this sense, the distance traveled may not be measured in physical miles but in terms of the transformative impact on the individual.

However, in a more traditional sense, a journey typically involves traveling a significant distance away from home. It often entails leaving one’s familiar environment and venturing into new territories, whether it’s exploring a different culture, undertaking an expedition, or embarking on a long-distance pilgrimage. The specific distance that qualifies as a journey can vary depending on cultural, societal, and personal factors.

Ultimately, the essence of a journey lies in the process of growth, exploration, and transformation, rather than a specific distance traveled. It is the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and the personal evolution that define the essence of a journey, regardless of how far one may physically travel from home.

OpenAI. (2023, June 3). “Write definitions for the words journey, trip, vacation and mission. Provide an example for each definition of a book that best captures the definition by referencing the challenge of the main character. Additionally, explore the relationship of the word journey as it relates to Joseph Campbell and Narrative Therapy, a psychotherapeutic modality.” [Chat log]. Retrieved from https://www.openai.com

Resources:

South Korea Paying $500 to Young Shut-Ins so They’ll Leave the House (insider.com)

South Korea is paying ‘lonely young people’ $500 a month to re-enter society | CNN

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 79 – Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy – Episode 79 – Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations:

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous. If you enjoyed the episode, please write a review on Apple Podcasts so others can discover The Hopeful Humanist Cafe.

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –

Episode 79 – Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy

Posted on May 14, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ymeve-140a0b3

This episode talks about an essential ingredient and starting point for being a “good mentor” for Dawn, the-every-young person-becoming-young-adult. Before sharing one’s wisdom, one must know who one is sharing one’s wisdom with. Hence the question, “Who is Dawn?” Only after activating the empathetic sensibility and stepping into Dawn’s worlds can one open the treasure chest to share the collected gems and nuggets of one’s wisdom.

Quote: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

T-shirt idea: “I’ve been AI’d“

Locating Dawn – Where is Dawn?

The study of generations and their characteristics is an important field of research in sociology and psychology. Over the years, several generations have been identified based on their birth years and common experiences. Below is a brief introduction to the terms for the generations, starting from Generation Alpha to the GI Generation.

Generation Alpha (born 2010 to present): The term “Generation Alpha” was first coined by Mark McCrindle, an Australian demographer. Members of this generation are born in the age of smartphones, social media, and digital technology.
Gen Zalpha (9-14 years of age): A combination of Gen Alpha and Gen Z. This is an example of a “cusper” generation like the Zillennials and the Xennials. This can make things more difficult in terms of “locating” ourselves in a generational sense but one does not always fit so nicely into a box.
Generation Z or Gen-Z (born 1997 to 2012): Gen-Z is the cohort born after the millennials, and they are considered to be the first truly digital native generation. They have grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media.
Zillennials or Gen Zennial (born mid-to-late 1990s to early 2000s): Zillennials or Gen Zennials are the bridge between Gen Z and millennials. They are sometimes also referred to as the “Oregon Trail Generation,” after the popular computer game.
Millennials or Generation Y (born 1981 to 1996): Millennials are the generation that came of age in the early 2000s. They are known for their familiarity with technology, multiculturalism, and emphasis on work-life balance.
Xennials (born 1977 to 1983): Xennials are a micro-generation that fall between Generation X and millennials. They are considered to be a blend of the two generations, having grown up without the internet but later adapting to it as adults.
Generation X (born 1965 to 1980): Members of Generation X are often referred to as the “latchkey kids” because many grew up in households where both parents worked. They are often seen as independent, adaptable, and tech-savvy.
Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964): Baby boomers are the post-World War II generation and are often associated with the cultural and social changes of the 1960s and 1970s. They are known for their work ethic and dedication to their careers.
Silent Generation or Traditionalists (born 1928 to 1945): Members of the Silent Generation were born during the Great Depression and came of age during World War II. They are known for their hard work, patriotism, and respect for authority.
GI Generation or Greatest Generation (born 1901 to 1927): The GI Generation is the oldest generation currently recognized. They are known for their bravery and sacrifices during World War II.

In addition to the above, when talking about generations, there has also been reference to Gen-Meta (Individuals, who since birth, who have had the option of living in both a physical world and a digital world). Our focus in this episode will be Gen-Z. The above information was a hybrid product of an information search on ChatGPT and some editing and revising on my part.

Ideas for a Competency-Based Curriculum for the 21st Century:

-Emotional Intelligence, -Conflict Resolution, -Communication Skills, -Meaning Making, -Citizenship & Activism, -Financial Literacy, -Fostering Creativity, -Problem-solving, -Self-Care, -Critical Thinking, DOT, DOT, DOT.

Helpful Resources:

1) “Nature” by Ralph Waldo Emmerson: Nature by Ralph Waldo EMERSON read by Various | Full Audio Book – YouTube

2) “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau: Walden (FULL Audiobook) – YouTube

3) “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau: CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE – Full AudioBook – Henry David Thoreau – YouTube

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 71 – Advice for a young person: Episode 71 – Advice for a young person – A Steve, Captain Jack and Danielson book and podcast debrief | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2) Episode 8 – The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World: Episode 8 – The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

3) Episode 77 – The Hard Case for Self-Care: Episode 77 – The Hard Case for Self-Care – A time to Notice | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations:

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

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –

Episode 78 – Savouring Spring, Walden, and ChatGPT

Posted on March 26, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-dhgjv-13c7ec1

Many of us have so much on our plates and have been pulled in too many directions by the various greedy institutions in our lives that we might have lost sight of the fact that SPRING IS HERE. It is time to step outside and do some savouring.

T-shirt Idea: “One Good Book” or “One Good Poem.” Delving into our “internal spring,” and finding a moment to savour the blessings of spring newly arrived, we might all just find we have something beautiful to create and share with one another. After savouring the moment, keep it alive by writing about it.

Quote for the Episode: “Spring is the time for plans and projects,” by Leo Tolstoy.

Showcase Resouces:

1) What is “savouring?” “Savouring” is a concept from Positive Psychology that refers to a mental effort to step outside a moment as it is happening so one can truly appreciate what his happening and the feelings that are being experienced. It is about living deliberately and consciously. Listen to what Laurie Santos has to say about “savouring” in this short video – (1) Savoring – The Science of Well-Being by Yale University #5 – YouTube

2) Interested in listening to the audio book called “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau? Go on YouTube and listen to the audio book by LibriVox in the public domain by clicking here – (1) Walden (FULL Audiobook) – YouTube

3) What are the benefits of spring?

What are things to savour in the spring? Here is response generated by ChatGPT:

Spring is a wonderful season with many things to savor. Here are some examples:

Warm sunshine: After a long winter, the warm sunshine of spring is a true pleasure to savor. Take a moment to sit outside and feel the warmth on your skin.
Blooming flowers: Spring is a time when flowers start to bloom, adding beautiful colors and fragrances to the environment. Take a walk in a park or garden and savor the sight and smell of the flowers.
Fresh air: As the weather warms up, it’s a great time to open up the windows and let fresh air into your home. Take a deep breath and savor the freshness of the air.
Bird songs: Spring is a time when birds start to return from their winter migrations, and their songs can be heard all around. Take a moment to listen to the birds and savor their beautiful melodies.
Fresh produce: Spring is a time when fresh produce starts to become available, such as strawberries, asparagus, and peas. Savor the taste of these fresh, seasonal foods.
Longer days: As the days start to get longer, there is more time to enjoy the outdoors and engage in fun activities. Savor the extra time you have to spend with friends and family.

Overall, spring is a time of renewal and growth, and there are many things to savor during this season. Take the time to appreciate the beauty and joy of the season, and savor the simple pleasures that it brings.

Sourcing the above information:

OpenAI. “Response Generated by ChatGPT.” Chat log. Accessed on March 23, 2023. Stimulus Question: What are things to savour in spring?

4) In addition to the information provided above about the benefits of spring, I also had information generated by ChatGPT about “What is good about dandelions,” “What is spring fever,” and “What will be the impact on individuals’ ability to think for themselves and creativity if people rely on using AI platforms like chatGPT.

Show Corrections:

1) At the beginning of the episode, instead of correctly saying “ChatGPT,” I made reference to “GPChat.”

2) I struggled at one point to properly refer to “LibriVox” audio books, a free public domain, where volunteers from around the world read books aloud for anyone to listen to on computers and mobile devices. LibriVox audio books can be accessed via YouTube.

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 73 – Uncommon Role Models & Gained Perspective: Episode 73 – Uncommon Role Models & Gained Perspective | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2) Episode 8 – The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World: Episode 8 – The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations:

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

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –

Episode 77 – The Hard Case for Self-Care – A time to Notice

Posted on January 15, 2023 by The Hopeful Humanist

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-nz9e8-1363aa4

What is the “Hard Case” for self-care? Why do we so often, when helping others, try to get to offering solutions instead of just being there to honour and validate another person’s reality. Sometimes the first step in the change process is just taking time to notice.

Quote for the year: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” — Henry David Thoreau

Showcase Resource:

1) The International Self-Care Foundation – Visit this site for a definition of self-care and learn about the 7 Pillars of Self-Care. Click here to access the site – http://isf-foundation.us/

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 58 – Self-Care Self Assessment – Episode 58 – Self-Care Self-Assessments & Inter-Being Scaffolding | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations:

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

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –

Episode 76 – Getting my ACT together

Posted on October 30, 2022 by The Hopeful Humanist

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 …

Posted on October 23, 2022 by The Hopeful Humanist

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:

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist –

Author: The Hopeful Humanist