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| Photo from Homeless in LA blog -- if you don't read the Homeless in LA blog you should. |
Let's leave the can of worms of “what is normal” at the door. We hereby agree to let the definition of “normal” sit in the wings for now, we can attend to it later.
“The mass of men lead quiet lives of desperation.” – Henry David Thoreau
Overwhelm. What happens when you are feeling overwhelmed? What happens when others are feeling overwhelmed?
Why should you care? For your health, wealth, and well-being; and for the health, wealth, and well-being of those you choose to care about.
Are you in crisis?
No, it's not a stupid question.
Some people can't tell if they are in a personal crisis.
Go ahead, laugh. Yuk it up. I'll laugh with you, because I've been one of those people who could not verbalize or identify a personal crisis; and most folks who have association with me recognize I am astute and reasonably intelligent.
The inability to define a personal crisis situation can arise from myriad circumstances.
I was responsible in nearly all of my jobs (almost half a decade's worth of work) for identifying and resolving other peoples crises: I did it well. I've always done things for others well.
The inability to define a personal crisis situation can arise from myriad circumstances.
I was responsible in nearly all of my jobs (almost half a decade's worth of work) for identifying and resolving other peoples crises: I did it well. I've always done things for others well.
Thanks to a supremely talented therapist, utilizing EMDR techniques, along with a panoply of eclectic tools, I'm coming to a point where I can recognize when I'm in personal crisis, and find a model of reasonable action (for me) to handle it.
For the therapist alone, I can highly recommend PATHAchieve as a resource for the homeless – once a week they have a therapist come in offering a Stress Management group session, a Parenting group session and individual appointments during the rest of the day.
This has been my saving grace. I would not have found this therapist (and I've been in therapy since I was a tween) if I hadn't become homeless at this moment in time.
That PATHAchieve has one of the preeminent advocates for the homeless on their staff, Mark Horvath (the founder of both WeAreVisible and InvisiblePeopleTV) is the second greatest thing about their crisis services to the homeless.
All you need to do to find out more about them is read through their website. I highly advise you contribute to them – inkind, $$, time, decent wearable clothing, toilet paper, shampoo, socks … whatever you are comfortable affording.
Crisis ranges from personal to cosmic.
It helps for you to know how much you can handle; what your methods for coping with crisis are; your awareness of when you are in crisis; your awareness of when others are in crisis; and your awareness of what you can do, including finding/recommending other resources.
The tools you use to handle a crisis can be assistive or detrimental.
If your particular crisis is homelessness (or someone you know – spread the word), and you are in the Los Angeles County area – do yourself a favor and attend the Glendale Homeless Connect Day 2010.
Yes, I'm homeless. Yes, I'll be there as a person looking at all the services and accepting help from those I connect with.
Yes, I want to see you there and connect with you.
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