Harvey Quote

RT - bank of time

RT - carpenter's story

RT - changeling eagle

RT - tomb inscription

The following words were inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)

When I was young and free and my imagination had not limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

RT - success

Bessie Stanley's

Famous

Poem

Lincoln Sentinel, Nov. 30, 1905

"What Constitutes Success"

A $250 Prize Story by a Lincoln Woman

A few weeks ago Mrs. A.J. Stanley at the earnest solicitation of Mr. Stanley wrote an essay on "What constitutes success" for entrance in a contest carried on by the George Livingston Richards Co. of Boston, Mass. It was required that the essay should be confined to 100 words and should be the best definition of what constituted success, neatness and several of the requirements being taken into consideration. The essay was entered in competition with hundreds of others from all parts of the country. Last Saturday when Mrs. Stanley was notified that she had won the first prize of $250 she did not credit the good news and laughing told Mr. Stanley he could have half. An accompanying draft furnished satisfactory proof. Below we give Mrs. Stanley’s essay on "What Constitutes Success."

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."

RT - H.A.L.T.

A typical AA slogan is the basis for this intervention: "Don't get too hungry, angry, lonely of tired."

RT - share, tell cards

Published "share" cards or "tell" cards or "chat-a-chini" and others offer an opportunity to safely share and be listened to.

RT - stressors, symptoms, coping skills

Brainstorming:

"Things I believe cause stress."

"How I know some one is stressed."

"What can help."

Lots of opportunities to discuss the power of belief in regards to stressors, signs and symptoms and then positive coping skills/strategies/actions.

RT - healthy habits

Completing this form helps illustrate areas to work on.

RT - self esteem

"On a scale of 1-10, where do you put your self esteem?"

"Has it been better (and worse) and why?"

"What is self esteem?"

Participants complete this unscientific self esteem test and discuss each item. The items are repeated in more negative term on the top, more positive ways on the lower 10 items.

RT - feelings and choice theory

Participants select from feelings cards (these as illustrated but divided into individual feelings)- "Pick 3 examples of feelings that you have had lately."

We then go over the illustration of the choice theory car to discuss that theory's general view of how thinking, actions, feelings and physiology are connected to wants.

Then in turn each identifies a feeling and we discuss what they were doing and thinking that that feeling resulted from as well as how their physiology reacted. Further discussion as to using that awareness to perhaps choose differently and what could be the different results. Different thoughts and actions can result in different feelings and physiology. Being aware of where those feelings and physical symptoms are coming from can aid in doing and thinking differently - and how our wants fit in.

RT - mistakes

We watched a copy of a broadcast from CBS Sunday morning about mistakes. Then completed part of this worksheet - typically just have participants fill out 3 examples of mistakes and what learned.

Typically some participants take a long time with the details of their mistakes, so the tearing up and throwing away all that effort can be dramatic.

I ended with the Famous Failures video.

Also used at time are mistakes quotes that participants read and if they choose, discuss.

Famous Failures

RT - stay out of hospital, rational thinking

Karen facilitated brainstorming and discussion of coping skills that can help keep one out of the hospital. The afternoon reviewed and discussed 3 "stinkin' thinkin'" self defeating thoughts.

The Ten Forms of Self Defeating Thoughts:

1. All or nothing - thinking

2. Overgeneralizatian

3. Mental filter

4. Discounting the positive

5. Jumping to conclusions

6. Magnification

7. Emotional reasoning

8. "Should statements"

9. Labeling

10.Personalization and blame

RT - famous people with mental illness

Karen facilitated a review of famous people who were/are mentally ill. Each participant randomly draws then reads a brief biography of each. Then in turn having each participant discuss what they would like to accomplish in their lives to be a success and what they are doing to accomplish.

Lots of resources on the topic including:

http://www.naminh.org/action-famous-people.php

www.mentalhealthministries.net/links_resources/flyers/famouspeople.pdf

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Helpline1&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4858

http://www.stampoutstigma.org/famous.html

RT - attitude game

The game Attitude! used to discuss many of the aspects of attitude. You can contact me about the game and see how to play at this You Tube site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iub74bt95Hc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Saa8Oa_I7AU