New Beginnings

What does it take to look at the world with a pair of fresh eyes? To look at things in a way that you have never seen them before? It takes a desire to do so, of course, along with a purposeful intent. “I’m tired of looking at things in this way, it only makes me feel bad, sad, frustrated, upset (pick your adjective)…it’s time to change my point of view.” It’s as simple and as difficult as that. It takes giving yourself permission to refocus your attention on to a more positive aspect of the situation. Something that makes you smile, or at least doesn’t make you frown. The most exciting thing of all, it puts you back in the drivers seat. Using your mood as a cue, catch yourself in the act of feeling frustrated. Then ask yourself what you are focusing on that is making you feel that way. Redirect your thoughts on to something that makes you feel happy, or at the very least, something more neutral. For example, if it’s a friend who’s upsetting you, think about something that friend has also done that has caused you to smile and let yourself focus on that for awhile. If it's a problems you feel you can't solve, remind yourself that you will be able to solve it eventually. You can return to the upsetting thought if you’d like, of course, but the important lesson here is realizing that you have a choice about where you want to put your focus. Good and bad exist simultaneously, we can choose which we would like to focus on.

Today was Easter Sunday and earlier this week Passover began. A holy time for many. A time full of symbolism, both religious and secular, focused on new life and new beginnings. The egg, the rabbit, the lamb, the butterfuly. Religious or not, Spring is the time to clear out the old and embrace the new. All around us we see evidence of this in nature to remind us of our task. New leaves grow from the branches that were shocked by the winter cold, bright colored buds give forth even more brightly colored flowers and scents. Did you have a chance to reflect this week? To think about the new beginnings you would like to take? To consider what old habits you may like to leave behind?

If you have had the chance, I applaud you. If you haven’t yet taken the time to do so, I encourage you. The reward is great. Not only may you learn something new, but you may give yourself an opportunity to experience growth in yourself. That wonderful thing that makes you smile with new knowledge and awareness, helping you feel as if the struggle was worth it…a butterfly emerging from the caterpillar’s cocoon. Take a chance why don’t you? Even if things are going pretty well, we can always benefit from a little growth, can’t we? What new point of view is waiting for you, if you’ll only look for it? Enjoy…

Be happy and well,
Sari Roth-Roemer

Coping with Catastrophe

Hope you will think about listening in to hear me guest on my friend Ondre Seltzer's radio show "Paradigm Shift"

When: Wednesday, April 13th from 8-10pm PST
Where: www.openmindradio.com or 106.7 KSWW in Scottsdale
Topic: Dealing with the Aftermath of Catastrophic Events
Special Guest: Melanie Bous will start off the show talking about the anniversary of the Titanic ...I'll be on following that...

I'll be joining Ondre in the studio this week to discuss how we cope in the aftermath of catastrophic events that create complete life changes. What happens when you lose everything? How do you cope? What are the stressors? How do you prepare physically, emotionally and spiritually? Can you ever really be prepared?

From major natural disasters to man made catastrophic events and loss we'd love to have you join in the discussion, share your story, seek advice . . .

Call in number (480) 951-7733.

P.S. If you listen in, you may hear us talk a little bit about our upcoming brand new groups and workshop series we're developing for Scottsdale and maybe even L.A.

Be happy and well,
Sari Roth-Roemer

The good, the bad, and the vulnerable

Ponder this for a moment...is it good or bad to be vulnerable? What's your first response?

"It's bad," was the answer I got from my patient this past week, when I asked her what she thought. And she's not the only one who feels that way. As with most adults who were once children of abuse, vulnerability is something to be protected against. Because from an early age it is learned that people can use this vulnerability to take advantage or cause harm. It leaves you open to hurt. If that's your early lesson about openness, why in the world would you ever want to be vulnerable again? But while vulnerability does leave you open, there is both good AND bad to be found in that openness, isn't there? How are we to truly and meaningfully connect to another if we aren't able to allow ourselves to be open? It's in the vulnerability that we are able to love and be loved. When we are too scared to vulnerable with another, we shut ourselves off from the very thing that fully sustains us as humans - meaningful connection with other humans. Love is the biggest gift we get on this earth, and when we are closed, it is not fully available to us.

So, what is there to do about it? How do we learn how to turn something so scary into something rewarding? Well, as with anything that is blocking us and causing problems, we need to be aware that it is happening and the choices we are making. In this awareness, we can decide what perspective to take and what choices to make. Ask yourself if you are getting what you need emotionally from those around you these days? If you are feeling like you are making the connections that you want with others? If your communications have become troublesome and stagnant? If you feel like nobody understands you? If the answers to these questions aren't answers that you're happy with, chances are that somewhere along the line you may have closed down or shut off in an attempt to protect yourself, but instead just ended up isolating yourself. For some independent people that may be OK for awhile, but eventually most of us will whither without the water of love in our lives.

Is it possible to to change your view on vulnerability? Is it worth the risk? Maybe experiment a little to find out. Tell yourself it's O.K. to be vulnerable if you choose, in order to bring closeness and connection into your life. Pick a trusted friend or loved one. Open up. Be a little brave. Share your love with them, a happy memory with them, or even a small secret. Start out small and work on your comfort level. Whatever it is, though, share truthfully and from your heart. Notice how it feels. Experiment. Open and close with purpose and intention. Be mindful of when it is important to cover up or to stay open. Learn how to choose and be flexible with that choice. Most of all recognize that it is your choice. You are an adult and if someone takes advantage of the vulnerability, you can let them know, and more importantly you can heal. A child learns the hard lessons, an adult is able to revisit them and decide whether those lessons still apply or need to be reworked.

Is it good to be vulnerable? As I told the thoughtful woman in my office who inspired this blog topic...sometimes it just may be...

Here's to discovering love and happiness in your life!

Be happy and well,
Sari Roth-Roemer