Today is Halloween, but it's not the flying witches that scare me. I'm scared of the 'monsters' posing as 'bullies'. And they are not 'out' just on October 31st. 'Bullying' has recently become a year round epidemic.
A year ago in Florida the news was all about a young fellow around 14 who was set on fire by classmates. This year here in New York, we're hearing about all the bullying of gays, whether
it be by video or by beatings. Of course for years there have been women (and no doubt men too) who are being 'bullied' by their spouses. What can we do about it? How can we save these souls from torture and abuse?
No question counselors and educators are working to put programs together in schools and other community venues that address the problem. Hopefully our legislatures and congress are thinking about drawing up bills for punishing bullying. But I have an additional thought.
This will sound very elementary and naive to all of you who are more sophisticated technically than I. But I've had an idea that I thought I'd throw out and maybe a reader can take it to the next step.
Being of a certain age and living pretty much alone, one is advised to get a medical alert if they are hurt in any way or if they are feeling sick. What it is, is a hook up to a center that responds the minute the person presses the button that he or she is wearing either around the neck or as a bracelet.
I'm wondering, after watching Criminal Minds, and seeing how they have equipment to trace the immediate whereabouts of suspects, if our police departments could not be available to private individuals who feel that they are in danger, and who are willing to wear discreetly, some mechanism that alerts help in an instant. These individuals would be those fearful of spousal abuse, molestation, and bullies, either in the schools, the community, or the deadliest--the home! Lives may be actually saved if this could be put into place. I mean think of those placed in trunks of vehicles, or mothers holding kids in a closet...you get the idea. Cell phones are a start, but I'm talking about a virtual 'button' on one's body.
I know we have home alarms to defend against 'break-ins', but I believe we need an alarm on our actual person, especially if we live in fear. Maybe there is a way for all of us to 'get registered'. I dunno---I'm just one voice who invites your participation.
Not quite a session, but perhaps someone will nevertheless be helped down the line.
Happy Halloween!
Dr. Mimi Scott
212 721-2979
mscott13@aol.com
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
SURVIVING THE SH**@ THAT HAPPENS
Well we can always whine and walk around saying "ohhh woe is me" (better known as, 'Oy Vey' in Yiddush), and keep drinking from the cup that's 'half empty', (or maybe we can just plain keep drinking). OR...we can focus on what we have that still works. For example, after losing a job or losing our money, we can still thank the Good Lord for the arms and legs and the other parts of the body that are still intact and that may allow us to work at something else--if the brain is still in shape consider yourself really lucky!!
I've been walking around bemoaning the fact that 'getting old' really sucks! In the last few months, after resettling in good old New York City with the intention of renewing my 'Auntie Mame' role here, it's as though a huge invisible leg was placed in my path to 'trip me up'!!
It all began about six weeks ago with my left knee becoming intensely painful (of course it gave me an excuse to walk around with a beautiful pink cane I found in one of the catalogues for old people). Then the shoulder that was operated on last year for naught, really kicked in to cause me to let out a scream again with every movement. Following this I noticed some horrible looking skin thing on my arm and a scab on my nose that simply would not disappear. For frosting on the caske, the most recent blood work done indicates that I have a staph infection lurking in my body somewhere. (This would be the 3rd morphing of the one that came with the breast cancer operation in 2006)
It's reminded me of my favorite phrase "Other than that Mrs. Kennedy, how was Dallas?"
But here's the real message today...
Obviously the first thing to do is to find out what is going on from the medical standpoint (and I believe I wrote previously about how frustrating that can be), and then to determine what can be done. This past week I had my knee operated on for what was diagnosed as a torn miniscus. This was followed by a cortisone shot for the shoulder (which I'm keeping my fingers crossed about--at least they still work), and this week I'll be seeing the head of dermatology at Cornell Weil for what is called MOHS surgery where they keep scaping away layers of skin until all cancer cells have disappeared (hopefully it will be pronounced clear before the bone is reached). The good news is that I may be the first Jewish girl to have a nose job that she never needed or wanted!
The flip side of the coin is that needing to spend so much time in bed has allowed me to really work on my memoir book which should come to complete fruition in time for my big 7-0 birthday in December. And...by working on this book I have realized how lucky I have been throughout these past 69 years. I have indeed been blessed and should be slapped if anybody out there hears me complain (which you no doubt will).
Futher, I have had time to enjoy my painting and as a result there is barely an inch of space left on my walls. But I have the happiest, most colorful and artsy apartment in New York I'm sure. Every magazine or catalogue I get my hands on gives me more inspiration.
And, I have the stamp of approval that I made the right decision in returning to New York City as I cannot imagine going through all this in Florida without my family, who are here all the time, and my beloved friends here in New York who continued the tradition of celebrating with me at home after every time another procedure was performed. As I'm virtually next door to an Ollies now, it's been that much more fun. And they are still encouraging me to do a Zagat on the New York hospitals since I'm now beginning Round Two of them.
Of course, wouldn't you know I've gotten more hits than ever on the dating website I'n on, but I've had to tell them all that they will just have to wait until I can walk again, shake their hands without yelping, and finish getting my face rearranged by the Italian doctor I'll be seeing.
Hope you are all well and have enjoyed my therapy session that I've shared with you!
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
Mscott13@aol.com
I've been walking around bemoaning the fact that 'getting old' really sucks! In the last few months, after resettling in good old New York City with the intention of renewing my 'Auntie Mame' role here, it's as though a huge invisible leg was placed in my path to 'trip me up'!!
It all began about six weeks ago with my left knee becoming intensely painful (of course it gave me an excuse to walk around with a beautiful pink cane I found in one of the catalogues for old people). Then the shoulder that was operated on last year for naught, really kicked in to cause me to let out a scream again with every movement. Following this I noticed some horrible looking skin thing on my arm and a scab on my nose that simply would not disappear. For frosting on the caske, the most recent blood work done indicates that I have a staph infection lurking in my body somewhere. (This would be the 3rd morphing of the one that came with the breast cancer operation in 2006)
It's reminded me of my favorite phrase "Other than that Mrs. Kennedy, how was Dallas?"
But here's the real message today...
Obviously the first thing to do is to find out what is going on from the medical standpoint (and I believe I wrote previously about how frustrating that can be), and then to determine what can be done. This past week I had my knee operated on for what was diagnosed as a torn miniscus. This was followed by a cortisone shot for the shoulder (which I'm keeping my fingers crossed about--at least they still work), and this week I'll be seeing the head of dermatology at Cornell Weil for what is called MOHS surgery where they keep scaping away layers of skin until all cancer cells have disappeared (hopefully it will be pronounced clear before the bone is reached). The good news is that I may be the first Jewish girl to have a nose job that she never needed or wanted!
The flip side of the coin is that needing to spend so much time in bed has allowed me to really work on my memoir book which should come to complete fruition in time for my big 7-0 birthday in December. And...by working on this book I have realized how lucky I have been throughout these past 69 years. I have indeed been blessed and should be slapped if anybody out there hears me complain (which you no doubt will).
Futher, I have had time to enjoy my painting and as a result there is barely an inch of space left on my walls. But I have the happiest, most colorful and artsy apartment in New York I'm sure. Every magazine or catalogue I get my hands on gives me more inspiration.
And, I have the stamp of approval that I made the right decision in returning to New York City as I cannot imagine going through all this in Florida without my family, who are here all the time, and my beloved friends here in New York who continued the tradition of celebrating with me at home after every time another procedure was performed. As I'm virtually next door to an Ollies now, it's been that much more fun. And they are still encouraging me to do a Zagat on the New York hospitals since I'm now beginning Round Two of them.
Of course, wouldn't you know I've gotten more hits than ever on the dating website I'n on, but I've had to tell them all that they will just have to wait until I can walk again, shake their hands without yelping, and finish getting my face rearranged by the Italian doctor I'll be seeing.
Hope you are all well and have enjoyed my therapy session that I've shared with you!
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
Mscott13@aol.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
ATONEMENT
My friend Bill recently brought me a book called Heart of Wisdom. It is the kind of book one reads a page of, almost as a meditation, every day. As it begins according to the Jewish calendar, I began it on Rosh Hashanah, the new Jewish year, last week. Through these last 10 days, one theme was repeatedly mentioned. The theme of humanity, or as it clarifys further, being humane.
During and following Yom Kippur, while atoning, my mind was on this theme of humanity.
I, while caught up in all the events of the year that dealt with relationships, and with pleas to the Lord regarding all the trials, both physical and mental, that I and family members wish to heal and to overcome with His guidance, one thought kept intruding. It was a question really, and it was: What are you doing that is humane?
I believe that I shall focus on this more in the coming year. I just started by giving my wonderful challah bread, and Babka bread to the homeless. No real sacrifice as I was getting bigger and bigger with each holiday meal! I've had ideas already, regarding what to do for others and perhaps some will come to fruition. If my voice returns, I hope to perform my one woman show for assisted living facilities once again. If I get any response to an ad I placed in Back Stage, I will attempt to help struggling actors with both their material and their issues in 'the business'. And for what it proves to be worth for my family's future generations, I am dedicated to getting my memoirs, that I've been writing for the past six years, published one way or another.
All of this is 'planned for' in the hopes of bringing something to others. But for the most part, being 'humane' is unplanned. It is those unexpected moments when our spontaneous help makes a difference in the life of another. It is reminiscent of the moments after 9/11 when we here in New York, and all over actually, ran around begging to find out what we could do to 'help'.
Any newscast today shows us what is needed on a moment to moment basis each day. This year I suggest not burying one's head in the sand. Take being 'humane' seriously. Plan some things that you may be able to do as a gesture of humanity, and don't plan others, but become more cognizant of when and how you are needed every day.
The beautiful part of all this, is that all the petty thoughts we spend our time with, become really secondary. And each success in this direction, fills us with positives, so that the depression we all seem to be feeling so much of the time, is lifted, as is the spirits of those we have helped.
You see...the fasting and the 'atoning' sometimes produce some good effects not just for the 'atoner', but for the rest of the world.
Hope you enjoyed the session.
Respectfully submitted,
Mimi Scott, Ph.d
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
mscott13@aol.com
www.drmimiscott.com
During and following Yom Kippur, while atoning, my mind was on this theme of humanity.
I, while caught up in all the events of the year that dealt with relationships, and with pleas to the Lord regarding all the trials, both physical and mental, that I and family members wish to heal and to overcome with His guidance, one thought kept intruding. It was a question really, and it was: What are you doing that is humane?
I believe that I shall focus on this more in the coming year. I just started by giving my wonderful challah bread, and Babka bread to the homeless. No real sacrifice as I was getting bigger and bigger with each holiday meal! I've had ideas already, regarding what to do for others and perhaps some will come to fruition. If my voice returns, I hope to perform my one woman show for assisted living facilities once again. If I get any response to an ad I placed in Back Stage, I will attempt to help struggling actors with both their material and their issues in 'the business'. And for what it proves to be worth for my family's future generations, I am dedicated to getting my memoirs, that I've been writing for the past six years, published one way or another.
All of this is 'planned for' in the hopes of bringing something to others. But for the most part, being 'humane' is unplanned. It is those unexpected moments when our spontaneous help makes a difference in the life of another. It is reminiscent of the moments after 9/11 when we here in New York, and all over actually, ran around begging to find out what we could do to 'help'.
Any newscast today shows us what is needed on a moment to moment basis each day. This year I suggest not burying one's head in the sand. Take being 'humane' seriously. Plan some things that you may be able to do as a gesture of humanity, and don't plan others, but become more cognizant of when and how you are needed every day.
The beautiful part of all this, is that all the petty thoughts we spend our time with, become really secondary. And each success in this direction, fills us with positives, so that the depression we all seem to be feeling so much of the time, is lifted, as is the spirits of those we have helped.
You see...the fasting and the 'atoning' sometimes produce some good effects not just for the 'atoner', but for the rest of the world.
Hope you enjoyed the session.
Respectfully submitted,
Mimi Scott, Ph.d
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
mscott13@aol.com
www.drmimiscott.com
Sunday, September 5, 2010
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WHOLE PERSON?
Ok, so the last six weeks I've had trouble walking...actually been using a cane. Out of the blue I felt like a band wrapped around my left leg at the knee. PAIN!! Then it moved all around that area. Somehow I wound up at a neurologist who felt it was coming from my hip and my back where MRI's have proved there are definite problems....but my hip and my back were not keeping me from moving around. In fact I was still swimming every single morning. My knee was the problem!
Finally, pain is so intense I wind up in the emergency room. They tell me I've ruptured my 'baker's cyst'...does anyone out there know what that is? it seems we all have a bump behind our knee on the back of our legs known as 'baker cysts'. I was told that the fluid would be moving around for several weeks until it dried up and that in the meantime I should take the oxycodone that they gave me in order to keep on moving....Ohhhhh Kayyyy. No one seems to feel I should "get off my leg!"
Found a primary care female doctor who was something else! She has a formula that she goes by...first the examination, then a wait back in a waiting room...then what she calls an interview in which only she talks and inquires about medications only. Admittedly she did not like the look of my swollen leg (which I omitted to say was blown up like a balloon), and gives me a name of an orthopedic group.
A call there has them asking me what part of the body am I being seen about. I say basically the knee, but... NO BUTS!---they assign me a knee orthopedic guy. I see him. Prior to his entrance into the examining cubicle, I show the nurse the stuff I have brought with me: A CD from my back MRI's taken last spring; the hip MRI, and the results of the nerve test which the neurologist had done..(he claimed I have pinched nerves coming from my back and he also wanted me to see a hip surgeon ASAP). As soon as I begin my tale by uttering the word 'back' I hear the doctor in the hall say "I don't do backs!".
"Fine, but just maybe you want to know what's going on in my body that just may help you determine more about my knee", I say to myself.
When he actually enters the cubicle, I have had a knee x ray which he looks at (not me just the picture hanging) and he says it's simply arthritis. He then grabs the left side of my left knee and shoots me up with cortisone. He has never even looked or felt my knee or watched me move around before giving me the needle. Ten days later the leg is only a mite bit better.
My point here is...what the hell has happened to treating the 'whole person'??? Is not the "knee bone, connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone connected to the hip bone..." as the song went. Pretty soon these orthopedic guys will only treat the index finger or the thumb or the pinky.
I have a 'Gynie' who has become very dear to me. That once a year visit still involves me talking about my life, year, etc. He treats me as a whole person.
Now I know most of you aren't trained therapists, but in any attempt to help the next person, one must inquire about other aspects going on in the person's life that may be impacting the problem. Certainly a back issue just may have some impact on a knee, a hip...maybe even a toe!
Now I'm looking forward to a top ortho guy who is from my hometown of Albany here at NYU Med...maybe he'll wanna know about my back, my hip, my ass or whatever else may be causing my knee to explode...if you see some knee parts floating on Broadway on the upper west side---it's probably mine.
PS: Whenever I stay off the leg for awhile...IT FEELS BETTER!!
Thanks for listening! And L'shanah tovah to all my wonderful Jewish friends.
Hoped you enjoyed this session.
Mimi Scott, Ph. D
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
mscott13@aol.com
mimi@drmimiscott.com
Finally, pain is so intense I wind up in the emergency room. They tell me I've ruptured my 'baker's cyst'...does anyone out there know what that is? it seems we all have a bump behind our knee on the back of our legs known as 'baker cysts'. I was told that the fluid would be moving around for several weeks until it dried up and that in the meantime I should take the oxycodone that they gave me in order to keep on moving....Ohhhhh Kayyyy. No one seems to feel I should "get off my leg!"
Found a primary care female doctor who was something else! She has a formula that she goes by...first the examination, then a wait back in a waiting room...then what she calls an interview in which only she talks and inquires about medications only. Admittedly she did not like the look of my swollen leg (which I omitted to say was blown up like a balloon), and gives me a name of an orthopedic group.
A call there has them asking me what part of the body am I being seen about. I say basically the knee, but... NO BUTS!---they assign me a knee orthopedic guy. I see him. Prior to his entrance into the examining cubicle, I show the nurse the stuff I have brought with me: A CD from my back MRI's taken last spring; the hip MRI, and the results of the nerve test which the neurologist had done..(he claimed I have pinched nerves coming from my back and he also wanted me to see a hip surgeon ASAP). As soon as I begin my tale by uttering the word 'back' I hear the doctor in the hall say "I don't do backs!".
"Fine, but just maybe you want to know what's going on in my body that just may help you determine more about my knee", I say to myself.
When he actually enters the cubicle, I have had a knee x ray which he looks at (not me just the picture hanging) and he says it's simply arthritis. He then grabs the left side of my left knee and shoots me up with cortisone. He has never even looked or felt my knee or watched me move around before giving me the needle. Ten days later the leg is only a mite bit better.
My point here is...what the hell has happened to treating the 'whole person'??? Is not the "knee bone, connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone connected to the hip bone..." as the song went. Pretty soon these orthopedic guys will only treat the index finger or the thumb or the pinky.
I have a 'Gynie' who has become very dear to me. That once a year visit still involves me talking about my life, year, etc. He treats me as a whole person.
Now I know most of you aren't trained therapists, but in any attempt to help the next person, one must inquire about other aspects going on in the person's life that may be impacting the problem. Certainly a back issue just may have some impact on a knee, a hip...maybe even a toe!
Now I'm looking forward to a top ortho guy who is from my hometown of Albany here at NYU Med...maybe he'll wanna know about my back, my hip, my ass or whatever else may be causing my knee to explode...if you see some knee parts floating on Broadway on the upper west side---it's probably mine.
PS: Whenever I stay off the leg for awhile...IT FEELS BETTER!!
Thanks for listening! And L'shanah tovah to all my wonderful Jewish friends.
Hoped you enjoyed this session.
Mimi Scott, Ph. D
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
mscott13@aol.com
mimi@drmimiscott.com
Sunday, August 15, 2010
THE CONCEPT OF COURAGE
The concept of courage is most frequently associated, and not inappropriately, with our beloved soldiers who put themselves in danger as they face the enemy. They are our heroes because of the courage they show. But the demonstration of courage is not reserved for our soldiers alone. We all demonstrate courage in a variety of ways.
As children we learn to be courageous when we encounter danger from that first 'injection'. We are told to 'keep a stiff upper lip' and most likely 'not to cry'. We go on to learn to be courageous when we suffer losses...whether they be in the ball park, in the classroom or even at home. Sometimes our physical or our mental capacity prevents us from doing or becoming that which we had dreamed of becoming. It takes courage just to 'move on' and not to just 'quit'. It takes courage sometimes just to stand up to those who would bully, and later on to grown up bullies who would like to prevent us from simply stating our point of view. It often takes courage just to 'stand up and be counted'...not to be cowed by others.
Indeed it takes courage to be a leader. To grab onto an idea and to manage to convey what you want to do to numbers of others who will then follow your lead and bring whatever it is to fruition. You must fight the battle of negativity from those who would defeat you.
This takes courage.
And it takes courage to bring about change both in your own personal world, or in the world around you. With all that is going on today in our country as well as in the world at large, if you have an idea that just may bring about change...show the courage to voice it!! It takes courage not to just 'bury our heads in the sand'. A hero is one who makes the commitment to voice his thought, and to keep voicing it until someone listens.
Most importantly, it takes courage to create a change in one's own life. And it can be very scary. If you find yourself in a 'rut' (and they are often dangerous as well as depressing), find the courage to somehow make the change. If you are not where you think you ought to be, find the courage to change your path.
Being in the midst of a major change right at this moment has it's frightening aspects. Just moving from anyplace else into New York city is a shock to the system...a system that's been surrounded by a more peaceful atmosphere for a while. New York city is not peaceful. But it is the most energizing and invigorating place in the world. I am garnering all my 'courage' up to both experience all that I can just by living here, yet at the same time to keep the sense of peace that just the coziness of one's living and working atmosphere can provide. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. But I have my 'courageous' self to rely on.
Wish me well as I do you...and if you are someone who is around to take and hold my hand for a moment I would be delighted to have you do so. You see sometimes it takes a kind of courage just to ask.
Hope you enjoyed this session. Looking forward to your comments.
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
mimi@drmimiscott.com
As children we learn to be courageous when we encounter danger from that first 'injection'. We are told to 'keep a stiff upper lip' and most likely 'not to cry'. We go on to learn to be courageous when we suffer losses...whether they be in the ball park, in the classroom or even at home. Sometimes our physical or our mental capacity prevents us from doing or becoming that which we had dreamed of becoming. It takes courage just to 'move on' and not to just 'quit'. It takes courage sometimes just to stand up to those who would bully, and later on to grown up bullies who would like to prevent us from simply stating our point of view. It often takes courage just to 'stand up and be counted'...not to be cowed by others.
Indeed it takes courage to be a leader. To grab onto an idea and to manage to convey what you want to do to numbers of others who will then follow your lead and bring whatever it is to fruition. You must fight the battle of negativity from those who would defeat you.
This takes courage.
And it takes courage to bring about change both in your own personal world, or in the world around you. With all that is going on today in our country as well as in the world at large, if you have an idea that just may bring about change...show the courage to voice it!! It takes courage not to just 'bury our heads in the sand'. A hero is one who makes the commitment to voice his thought, and to keep voicing it until someone listens.
Most importantly, it takes courage to create a change in one's own life. And it can be very scary. If you find yourself in a 'rut' (and they are often dangerous as well as depressing), find the courage to somehow make the change. If you are not where you think you ought to be, find the courage to change your path.
Being in the midst of a major change right at this moment has it's frightening aspects. Just moving from anyplace else into New York city is a shock to the system...a system that's been surrounded by a more peaceful atmosphere for a while. New York city is not peaceful. But it is the most energizing and invigorating place in the world. I am garnering all my 'courage' up to both experience all that I can just by living here, yet at the same time to keep the sense of peace that just the coziness of one's living and working atmosphere can provide. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. But I have my 'courageous' self to rely on.
Wish me well as I do you...and if you are someone who is around to take and hold my hand for a moment I would be delighted to have you do so. You see sometimes it takes a kind of courage just to ask.
Hope you enjoyed this session. Looking forward to your comments.
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
212 721-2979
917 846-2449
mimi@drmimiscott.com
Sunday, July 25, 2010
IMPORTANCE OF VACATIONING!!
If you haven't taken yours yet---please do it!! And if you have a choice take it by the water, preferably the ocean or my favorite--the lake. Don't make it an obligatory vacation in the sense of taking it with people who keep you tense rather than relaxed. Serenity is what to search for in making your plans.
That doesn't mean to say that partying is a no no. If that's what takes your mind off all the issues you're struggling with---go for it. But keep it to a minimum...otherwise you're trading one problem for another. But do bring along a diversion.
Good conversation, books, painting and water splashing truly are restorative. If you need constant activity, just take only a short time out to enjoy the above, but do give yourself the gift of removal---removal from all those bills, health worries, unwanted emails, texts, and of course people!!
I personally need the break from paperwork. At times I have really been totally overwhelmed by these kinds of demands. So sitting here at my lake home and peacefully working on the documentation of the memoir I've been writing for over six years (obviously with some very long breaks), and doing some swimming and sunning each morning, have all been unbelievably helpful in resting my mind so I'm prepared for the pace of New York city which I have loved so very much as well.
In the past I never took advantage of this place as the getaway it can be. Now, with age, I realize its importance and I'm happy in the knowledge that there is a place for me to go to return to a quieter sense of self.
If you cannot take the time to travel to serenity, here's a way to 'vacation' sitting right in your office. Take out five to seven minutes and sit down and do the following:
With your eyes closed imagine yourself at the beach, or the lake. Talk first to your toes and then travel up your legs telling these body parts to simply relax and to feel like jelly. Continue up to your pelvic and stomach area, to your chest and arms and into your neck and your head. Think of yourself as a limp rag doll at the beach. Hear the water splashing and just concentrate on your breathing...nothing else. After awhile, send a message to all these body parts of energy, and then slowly let the good feeling take you over. Open your eyes, stretch, and return to life with a renewed sense. It is a great way to take a vacation any time you need one. You can even shorten the process so that you can do it while waiting for an elevator!
Finally, if you cannot get away by water, go someplace with just yourself even for a day or two. This too is restorative. But folks...it's still summer---take a vacation!
Hope you enjoyed the session...Be back in NYC on and off until the 15th when life down there really starts for me!
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
917 846-2449
212 721-2979
mimi@drmimiscott.com or mscott13@aol.com
That doesn't mean to say that partying is a no no. If that's what takes your mind off all the issues you're struggling with---go for it. But keep it to a minimum...otherwise you're trading one problem for another. But do bring along a diversion.
Good conversation, books, painting and water splashing truly are restorative. If you need constant activity, just take only a short time out to enjoy the above, but do give yourself the gift of removal---removal from all those bills, health worries, unwanted emails, texts, and of course people!!
I personally need the break from paperwork. At times I have really been totally overwhelmed by these kinds of demands. So sitting here at my lake home and peacefully working on the documentation of the memoir I've been writing for over six years (obviously with some very long breaks), and doing some swimming and sunning each morning, have all been unbelievably helpful in resting my mind so I'm prepared for the pace of New York city which I have loved so very much as well.
In the past I never took advantage of this place as the getaway it can be. Now, with age, I realize its importance and I'm happy in the knowledge that there is a place for me to go to return to a quieter sense of self.
If you cannot take the time to travel to serenity, here's a way to 'vacation' sitting right in your office. Take out five to seven minutes and sit down and do the following:
With your eyes closed imagine yourself at the beach, or the lake. Talk first to your toes and then travel up your legs telling these body parts to simply relax and to feel like jelly. Continue up to your pelvic and stomach area, to your chest and arms and into your neck and your head. Think of yourself as a limp rag doll at the beach. Hear the water splashing and just concentrate on your breathing...nothing else. After awhile, send a message to all these body parts of energy, and then slowly let the good feeling take you over. Open your eyes, stretch, and return to life with a renewed sense. It is a great way to take a vacation any time you need one. You can even shorten the process so that you can do it while waiting for an elevator!
Finally, if you cannot get away by water, go someplace with just yourself even for a day or two. This too is restorative. But folks...it's still summer---take a vacation!
Hope you enjoyed the session...Be back in NYC on and off until the 15th when life down there really starts for me!
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
917 846-2449
212 721-2979
mimi@drmimiscott.com or mscott13@aol.com
Sunday, July 4, 2010
NEW BEGININGS...LETTING GO
This past week I experienced the high school graduation of my only grandson Dylan from High School; my move back to my beloved New York City from Florida; and the loss of my 98 year old Uncle Moe. It was quite an emotional time.
For all of us it will be a 'new beginning'. For Dylan of course he will begin that wonderful period of life at college. For me I will hopefully bring new participation to the world of show business as well as to the world of my new passion of painting. For uncle Moe he has shed the cloak of this world in order to 'begin' his sojourn into the heavenly sphere. All of us must actually 'let go' in some way in order to experience that 'new beginning'
Uncle Moe and my Aunt Gert, who will be 98 this August, celebrated their 75th anniversary this past Fall. Indeed their milestone was noted in the US congress. As such they have been idols of mine. Together since they were 12, they truly were a pair throughout their time here. And certainly for the moment this will be a 'new beginning' for Aunt Gert whom I expect will be around for another 10 years...she is perhaps the strongest woman I know...a real pisser! When told that her beloved Moe was about to pass, her response was: "What do you expect. He's 98 years old!"
Not too long ago I tried to get information from Aunt Gert about which I could write. In asking what it was that made her partnership last so long, she replied: "You learn to let go' This adage helps me feel that Aunt Gert will somehow be able to "let uncle Moe" go and to 'move on'. But there is very much more to the process of 'letting go'.
Of course Dylan will be 'letting go' of the safety and security of his wonderful parents, sister and home. I will be 'letting go' of the beautiful surroundings and weather I enjoyed in Florida, plus my two beloved pups who died there this past year, and Uncle Moe will 'let go' of all that this world represented in order to pass into the next one free of the pain and stress of this life.
But all of us would do well to learn to 'let it go'. Certainly in our relationships where we often harbor the slights and offenses of our partners, relatives and friends. What good is it to let the anger 'eat us up' when we can choose to 'let go' and thus open the door to new understandings and, in some cases where the situations are truly toxic, to new partners, friends, etc. I try to remember Aunt Gert's words when I get 'petty' about utterances and deeds of those with whom I have been involved. On occasion I actually succeed.
So I want to take this moment to say "So Long" to the wonderful, kind man that my Uncle Moe was; to my beloved Dylan as he 'flies the coop' and to the many friends that I found during my somewhat short stay in that beautiful land...stay in touch.
And all you guys in New York...here I come! It won't be long before I get you all over to my new digs and we babble about all our 'new beginings'
Hopefully you enjoyed this session.
Mimi Scott, Ph.d
917 846-2449
212 721-2979 (Sound familiar? Believe it or not, I got my same number back!
For all of us it will be a 'new beginning'. For Dylan of course he will begin that wonderful period of life at college. For me I will hopefully bring new participation to the world of show business as well as to the world of my new passion of painting. For uncle Moe he has shed the cloak of this world in order to 'begin' his sojourn into the heavenly sphere. All of us must actually 'let go' in some way in order to experience that 'new beginning'
Uncle Moe and my Aunt Gert, who will be 98 this August, celebrated their 75th anniversary this past Fall. Indeed their milestone was noted in the US congress. As such they have been idols of mine. Together since they were 12, they truly were a pair throughout their time here. And certainly for the moment this will be a 'new beginning' for Aunt Gert whom I expect will be around for another 10 years...she is perhaps the strongest woman I know...a real pisser! When told that her beloved Moe was about to pass, her response was: "What do you expect. He's 98 years old!"
Not too long ago I tried to get information from Aunt Gert about which I could write. In asking what it was that made her partnership last so long, she replied: "You learn to let go' This adage helps me feel that Aunt Gert will somehow be able to "let uncle Moe" go and to 'move on'. But there is very much more to the process of 'letting go'.
Of course Dylan will be 'letting go' of the safety and security of his wonderful parents, sister and home. I will be 'letting go' of the beautiful surroundings and weather I enjoyed in Florida, plus my two beloved pups who died there this past year, and Uncle Moe will 'let go' of all that this world represented in order to pass into the next one free of the pain and stress of this life.
But all of us would do well to learn to 'let it go'. Certainly in our relationships where we often harbor the slights and offenses of our partners, relatives and friends. What good is it to let the anger 'eat us up' when we can choose to 'let go' and thus open the door to new understandings and, in some cases where the situations are truly toxic, to new partners, friends, etc. I try to remember Aunt Gert's words when I get 'petty' about utterances and deeds of those with whom I have been involved. On occasion I actually succeed.
So I want to take this moment to say "So Long" to the wonderful, kind man that my Uncle Moe was; to my beloved Dylan as he 'flies the coop' and to the many friends that I found during my somewhat short stay in that beautiful land...stay in touch.
And all you guys in New York...here I come! It won't be long before I get you all over to my new digs and we babble about all our 'new beginings'
Hopefully you enjoyed this session.
Mimi Scott, Ph.d
917 846-2449
212 721-2979 (Sound familiar? Believe it or not, I got my same number back!
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