9417 St. Joe Center Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
ph: 260-415-5967
mnitz
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Text: 260-415-5967 Email: mnitz@takechargecounseling.org
Next up: Why Can't I Just Do It? (Click here to access page)
Step 2 is about analyzing and rationalizing our irrational thinking. There are many ways to analyze thinking. When it comes to anxiety I like to use my favorite way ~ statistical analysis. This video describes how to use this method to rationalize thinking.
Step 4, the final step is practice. We learn only when we practice. This video shows how this practice piece works and provides rationale for doing so. Ultimately, the practice piece is really 'deep meditation' that one can do just about anywhere. It will change your life.
04.15.2020 > Stages of Grief. I just heard on the news this morning that there is a likelihood that social distancing might be in place for the next 2 years, well into 2022, before we have gained the 'herd immunity' that would allow life to 'resume back to normal' (or at least as close as it is ever going to get). Some scenarios in the mean time suggest that waiters and waitresses would be masked and gloved at restaurants, people would have to 'get their temperature taken' at the door when entering a venue such as a concert or sporting event. Such scenarios seem quite surreal. It all feels pretty weird right now, but in my opinion, surreal and weird is going to eventually give way to 'this really sucks' and 'this just pisses me off'. I can already see the anger bubbling and the blame erupting as we get futher into this. By my personal 'calendar' it hasn't even been a month. Tomorrow will be the 'one month' mark for me. March 16 was 'd-day' for me. I realize that for other parts of the country and the world, 'd-day' was several months earlier, Dec 31, 2019 was the first report to the WHO that a cluster of 'pneumonia of unkown cause' was detected in Wuhan, China. The outbreak was declared a 'public health emergency of international concern' on Jan 30, 2020. Any way you look at it, the Pandemic is not very old, and already some folks are headed directly into the jaws of the 3rd stage of grief ~ Anger & Blame. I think we are in for a pretty bumpy ride. But I intend to do my part to smooth that out a bit. Today's audio blog and the one coming next, Finding Meaning, are designed to help keep things in perspective and mitigate the experience of grief.
03.19.2020 > Ground Zero. "I've never seen anything like it!" ~ Likely one of the most ominous phrases being uttered these days. Today is March 19, 2020, and here in Fort Wayne, IN we are being encouraged to stay put, practice social distancing and do our part to curb the spread of Covid-19. I closed my 'public' office indefinitely this past week, and cancelled my spring break vacation to CA. Instead I am taking a 'Stay-cation', staying put in my home office/studio and producing the videos you will find on this page. Inspired by the generosity of small merchants everywhere I have decided to donate 100 hours of my vacation over the next 10 days to help anyone who is worrying, stressing or just plain freaking out. In addition to these videos I am offering free virtual coaching to anyone affected by this pandemic. I am also pledging 10 hours of free coaching every single week until we get through this thing. Finally I am also going to start an audio blog (see right hand colum >) to pass along additional ideas. The details of this offer are explained within. If you are struggling, watch the videos and send me a text to begin the conversation. If you know of anyone else in need, pass the information along. Restoring calm is my business! Just doing my part to try and flatten out the axiety curve!!
03.29.2020 > Altruism. The response to this effort has been nothing short of amazing. Today is the last day of my 'cancelled spring vacation' and I am happy to report that I hit my goal of 100 hours donated to 'doing my part to help with the Corona Crisis'. I have contacted over 1000 people in my contact list which has generated well over 100 conversations, and I am not even half way through my list. It has really been beyond my wildest imagination. I can tell you, first hand, that there are some tremedously positive things happening in our world right now. Altruism is at an all-time high. In my nearly 60 years on this planet I have never seen so many people so willing to help. I hope the pandemic goes away quickly, but I hope the awesome spike in altruism never goes away ~ ever. I would also like to mention, here, that just like so many other small-business owners in our country today, my practice is likely to take a pretty good financial hit. I can already feel the effects of people re-coiling in the face of 'uncertainty about finances', thus my phone lines have gone fairly silent. So I am pivoting again to meet the needs of struggling individuals.
04.08.20 > Live In The Moment. Today is day 23 of the pandemic for me. March 16 was the day in 'became real' in my life. I am happy to say that at this point I have been able to donate over 120 hours to the cause of helping folks through the anxiety related to this crisis. It continues to be amazing. Like many people the world over, I have been forced to 'work from home'. Forunately that is not a huge pivot for me. As a sole proprieter in a solo private practice, I just have me to worry about, no boss no employees ~ just they way I like it. I have been doing remote sessions for years, via phone and videoconferencing. Being in the business for almost 20 years now, I have a fair number of clients who have moved away and yet still want to have occaional sessions ~ 'tune-ups' as most of them would say. Thus, I routinely talk to people all over the world, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Canada ~ just to name a few. But the past few weeks have been different ~ all of my clients have become remote sessions. Like everyone else who had to pivot, I suppose, there was a bit of an adjustment ~ setting up the home office, testing out the various methods and applications, working out a system and routine. I am happy to say it has been a great experience. Most of my clients have made postive comments about the process. There is definitely a different vibe when my clients are in their comfort zone, surrounded by family, pets and familiar things. I have had some fantastic conversations. The most common thing I am hearing is ~ "I really like this." I just talked to a client yesterday who made the comment that typically he would be rushing out of the office, jumping in his car and making the harried 20" commute to my office to make his 5pm appointment, but instead, yesterday, he grabbed his phone, walked out the door into the beautiful spring evening we had yesterday and went for a walk while we 'had his session' over the phone. His comment was something like: 'Sign me up for this, man, this is cool.' And indeed it was, probably one of the best sessions ever ~ relaxed, tranquil and productive. I was on my screen porch, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. And I thought to myself: 'This is just one of the great things that has come out of this. Enjoy this moment.' We don't have to wait 'until this is all over' for happiness and tranquility to return to our lives ~ it is here, right now, in this moment - we just have to look for it. I hope you too are slowing down enough to observe, embrace and appreciate all the good that is around us ~ right now, right here, in this very moment!!
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9417 St. Joe Center Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
ph: 260-415-5967
mnitz