Interesting Quotes
I never thought I would repeat a quote from Ayn Read with approval, but here is something she said that is worth considering:
If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.
Ayn Rand
''There is no greater harm than that of time wasted.''
MICHELANGELO
''Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as being able to remake ourselves.''
MAHATMA GANDHI
''It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom.''
ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
— Maya Angelou
A writer can do nothing for men more necessary, satisfying, than just simply to reveal to them the infinite possibility of their own souls.
Walt Whitman
Some Humor
Guys, when a woman is mad just tell her she’s overreacting. She’ll realize you’re right and calm right down.
“jus sayin”
3 Types of Sensory Disorders That Look Like ADHD
Sensory processing disorders often are present in individuals with ADHD but are not the same thing. There are more than one sensory processing disorder. Read this article for more information. Click here to read full article.
“Would You Rather” Questions for Kids with ADHD (and More Inspired Conversation Starters)
Sometimes it’s hard for parents to get a conversation going with their children or teens. This article has some good examples of questions to use with young children and older children to get a conversation going. Click here to read full article.
When “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” Doesn’t Work: Fixes for Hitting
While this article is written for parents of children with ADHD who hit, it could be helpful to any parent of a child who hits. Gives eight suggestions of things parents can do to help. Click here to read full article.
‘Just one pill can kill’: Florida AG, parents of addicts sound the alarm over new ‘apocalyptic’ drug
There is now a new drug being circulated in Florida and elsewhere called “Isotonitazene” or often ISO. It is reportedly 20 times stronger than fentanyl and is so strong that one pill can lead to death. It is apparently quite easy to produce and is often produced in normal kitchens. It sometimes is mixed with or substituted for other bootleg drugs such as cocaine, valium, and fentanyl. Click here to read full article.
Dyspareunia in Women
Dyspareunia (painful sex) in women significantly impacts a woman’s self-esteem and marital relationship. Fortunately, there is constant improvements in diagnosis and treatment, and it is a very treatable condition. If you would like an update on current diagnosis and treatment options, this article is helpful. Dyspareunia does occur in some men. If I see an updated version of this topic for men, I will include it in a future newsletter. Click here to read full article.
Fla sheriff tells homeowners they are ‘more than welcome’ to shoot burglars: ‘We prefer that you do’
One Florida sheriff expressed his frustration about repeat offenders by giving this advice to people in his county. Florida does have a statute which states that if you are in a dwelling or residence in which you have the right to be, you have the right to use deadly force if you reasonably believe “that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.” The sheriff’s department does offer a weekly seminar on gun safety and then encourages members to use their weapons if they believe their lives are at risk. Click here to read full article.
Biden Administration’s Plan to Destroy Medical Conscience Is Un-American
I usually try to avoid putting political articles in this selection of articles, but here is one that, while it is directed at doctors and nurses, could, if passed, eventually be applied to mental health professionals as well, and could cause counselors to provide counseling services, even though we might believe it would not be in the best interests of the client to do so. Click here to read full article.
8 Fixes for Bipolar’s Memory, Organization, & Focus Problems
About 40% of people with Bipolar 1 or 2 complain of cognitive problems during either manic or depressive periods, and sometimes between them. Here are some suggested helps that may be useful to them. Click here to read full article.
A 4-year-old can run errands alone ... and not just on reality TV
This will definitely be a controversial article, but I encourage you to read it to the end. It may contain some ideas worthwhile considering. In our present culture, it may not be safe to allow our children to do some of the things she advocates, but possibly we could be training them to be doing more than children are usually doing. Children’s self-esteem may be increased by helping them develop mastery and feel useful in tasks that are age-appropriate. Click here to read full article.
10-Year-Old Born Blind Sees No Limits—Loves Riding Bicycle, Skiing, Playing Piano
Following on the idea from the previous article that children can often learn to do things that we think are beyond their capabilities, is this story of a boy blind from birth, who has learned to do things that most of us would think impossible for a blind young man. Click here to read full article.
The Limits of ‘Lived Experience’
This is a New York Times article, so you may not be able to read it. It is written by a new New York Times writer, and debates the recent attitude that only blacks can write about black’s lived experience, only women can write about women’s experience, etc.
While it is true that one group may have greater lived experience about people in their group, she makes the point that “Surely human beings are capable of empathizing with those whose ethnicity or country of origin differ from their own. Surely storytellers have the ability to faithfully imagine the experiences of “the other.” If we followed the solipsistic credo of always “centering” identity when greenlighting a project, we’d lose out on much of journalism, history and fiction.
“Culture is a conversation, not a monologue.
“The outsider’s take, whether it comes from a journalist, historian, writer or director, can offer its own equally valid perspective. There is almost never just one side to a story.” Click here to read full article.
More Secret Gender Transition Closets Discovered in Public Schools
“Gender transition closets” are rooms at schools where clothing and other items are kept so that children who are transitioning can go upon entrance to school and change from the clothing they wore at home to clothing they use at school to represent the gender they understand themselves to be. These rooms are kept secret to parents but word has reached parents through various sources. Click here to read full article.
Sheila Nazarian: I Am Proof the American Dream Is Alive
A thoughtful 10-minute video from a Jewish immigrant that reminds us of the freedoms we often take for granted and are not thankful enough for. Among many other things she was smuggled out of Iran on the back of a truck buried in produce in order to save her and her family’s lives. Click here to read full article.
Barna: Survey of 'Christian' parents should shame the Church
Barna is probably the most respected researcher of Christian values in the world. In their latest study, 67% of adults with pre-teen children said they are Christians. But when they were asked what they believed only 1 in 50 held orthodox beliefs about God, the Bible, and truth. For more deeply concerning results of this survey, read the full report. And the discrepancies between what “Christians” say they believe and the things they do does not end there. Click here to read full article.
Quiet Ways for Fidgety Kids to Release Energy at School
Children with ADHD (hyperactive type) are well-known as “fidgeters.” This article lists some ways to help them with fidgeting in school. Click here to read full article.
Taking Unpopular Stands in a Strange New World
This article is a wonderful compilation of times throughout history when individual Christians or sometimes Christians as a group, have taken stands for what is right and in some cases, helped change the world. May God help us to do the same! Click here to read full article.
Pastors Share Top Reasons They’ve Considered Quitting Ministry in the Past Year
42% of pastors say they’ve considered leaving the ministry in 2022. Barna has written an article clearly showing the reasons pastors give. The same article describes the reasons pastors who have decided to stay have made that decision. As a counselor you can be an important part of encouraging your pastor, and so this article could give you helpful background. Click here to read full article.
TikTok is Emotionally and Spiritually Killing Our Children
This article, by a Catholic school teacher, is an important summary of the ways TikTok is emotionally and spiritually harmful to our children. Click here to read full article.
How to Get Your Life Back on Course after a Bipolar Relapse
Most people with bipolar disorder will experience one or more relapses in their lifetimes. This article has some good ideas about how to recover. Click here to read full article.
Some Interesting Facts to End With
[From InterestingFacts.com]
“The first-ever speeding ticket was issued to a driver going 8 miles an hour.
“Walter Arnold probably didn’t think he’d be making history when he took his “horseless carriage” (read: automobile) for a spin through the humble English village of Paddock Wood on January 28, 1896, but make history he did — by traveling at an absolutely blinding pace of 8 miles per hour on the main thoroughfare. And while you may find it difficult to believe that a bicycle-riding constable was able to catch up to him, the ensuing low-speed pursuit led to Arnold paying the first-ever speeding ticket.
“Speeding wasn’t all he was charged with. Arnold was cited on four counts: using a “locomotive without a horse” (the nerve!) on a public road, operating said contraption with fewer than three people, failing to clearly display his name and address on that absolute manifestation of speed, and, last but not least, traveling at a higher velocity than 2 miles per hour. Arnold, one of England’s first car dealers, was driving a Benz that fateful day and paid the equivalent of more than $300 in today’s money for his quartet of criminality. However, a few months later he began marketing his own Arnold Motor Carriage, a variant on the very Benz he was driving, to the public. Whether the whole thing was a publicity stunt or a mere coincidence has never been settled.”
Have a wonderful week!
Henry Virkler