ADHD …… 1/8/23

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has 3 types: inattentive, hyperactive or combined. People who have this “disorder” tend to have difficulty concentrating or staying focused for an extended period of time. As the quote indicates, their brain moves along quickly from one subject to another. They often get frustrated when society expects them to be able to focus enough to learn things (like reading), remember things and solve problems. They often are attracted to video games and are challenged by the rapid changes.  Certain occupations are not good for them and other occupations, ones that allow for frequent changes of focus and are more creative are better suited. I tend to think of people with ADHD not as “disordered” but as different. They have a lot to offer if we can accept their differences, respect their skills and abilities and not expect them to conform. The magic of acceptance and working with…..  Abracadabra!   Peace, John

I invite you to become a guest blogger.  It’s easy: find a quote that speaks to you and write a few sentences about it and what it means to you, or what it means in general. Send it all to me in an email with subject line reading “Guest blogger.”  I will review and publish it, with gratitude, and with the hope that others will benefit from it as well. If you need some help, I can furnish you with a quote or several to pick from – I have hundreds of them. Let me know.   Peace,  John  

Of Goals and Feelings…. 6/9/19

Setting realistic and measurable goals is important.  Writing them down and reading them daily helps you achieve them.  When you start trying to figure out where you want to be or what you want to accomplish, you use your brain, your thought process.  If you get too many feelings going on when you try and set goals for yourself, they may interfere with the process.  They may also interfere with your attainment.  Be mindful of your feelings while you work on your goals, but persist.  Frequently feelings can sidetrack you from the effort you need to reach your goals.  Accept your feelings and work hard to achieve your goals.

Peace, John

I invite you to be a guest blogger.  Find a quote that speaks to you and write a few sentences about it and what it means to you. Send it all to me in an email with subject line reading “Guest blogger.”  I will review and publish it, with gratitude, and with the hope that others will benefit from it as well.   Peace,  John  

 

Praying…. 11/6/2016

I used to think that I wanted to pray like a fella in my prayer group. When I shared that with him, he set me straight. He told me that my “talk time” with God was not supposed to be like his.  He then told me whatever I had to offer to God in prayer was 100% acceptable to God.  It took a long time of thinking about that and coming to believe it.

Sometime later I spoke with a trusted spiritual guide.  I shared with her that I felt guilty for not taking the time to pray the way I thought I should. She asked what I meant and I told her that I had good intentions of setting aside time but then I got caught up in the things of the day, my work and didn’t get to it.  I did tell her that I prayed in church and sometimes with certain clients.  She asked me if I had conscious awareness of God throughout my day. I told her yes, that often I think of Him in the “inter-stitches” during the day, times between activities, times when I’m in my car, and times when I’m in transitions. She simply said to me, “That’s prayer!” I was taken aback, but as I reflected on it, I realized she was right. She also told me not to worry about the structure and the amount of time. She also asked how God communicates with me. I told her in different ways – sometimes an idea in my head (“aha”), sometimes something from my reading, sometimes in a song or the words of another person, sometimes in what I see and, at times, just a sensation in my heart.  She also pronounced this as fine and told me I was on the right track.  I was relieved, but it still took me a while to work this through and to let some of the guilt dissipate for not doing it “the right way.”

“The power is in the One who hears it.”  The receiver has all the power. He is a better listener than I!  He hears and knows everything, even my weak and sometimes infrequent attempts to communicate with Him.  He loves me just as I am, with all my shortcomings, blemishes and character defects – I’m still trying to wrap my head around that one!  He doesn’t judge – He just loves me for who I am.

Be mindful of God’s presence in your life and you are already praying.  Your prayers are not wasted.  Be humble, contrite, thankful and ask on behalf of your self, and others. When in doubt, to paraphrase Mother Teresa, “Pray anyway!”

Self approval 2/16/14

Perhaps you’ve noticed, fellow bloggers, that my blog has been quiet for the past couple of weeks. I’ve been very busy rearranging appointments because of the snow, and hiring and beginning to orient three new part-time counselors. I am working hard at getting back on track with a weekly blog post for you. I appreciate your patience!  If any of you would like to write a blog post, select one of your favorite quotes, cite the source (if known) and then write several sentences to clarify it or to drive home the message for our readers. When it’s done send it to me in an email (jpacheco@personalgrowthconcepts.com) with the subject line reading, “guest blogger.”  Let me know if it’s okay for me to use your first name and last initial to give you credit. I will check it and consider posting it in the future, perhaps a midweek blog post.  Now for this week’s post, I’ve chosen an affirmation:

“I am 100% Self Approved!”

Many people go through life disapproving of themselves, or at least various parts of themselves. I think that’s wasted energy and it’s putting negative energy about yourself out there into the universe. Since likes attract, putting negative energy out there is going to attract people and situations to you that are negative. Why not change the message and start approving of your self as you are, in the here and now? Who you are today is your starting point – it’s the clay on the potter’s wheel for you to begin working. What/who you were yesterday no longer matters.  Why not give yourself permission to accept your self as you are, your thoughts, feelings and choices, and approve of your self in today? Perhaps you think you need other people’s approval. Maybe you didn’t get enough approval in your family of origin or in previous relationships. Do you want to be held hostage by others’ opinions of you? Do you want to run around with your emotional umbilical cord in your hand looking to plug-in and drain somebody else dry? No, I think you would do better if you plugged into your self and started filling your self with what you really need, pats on the shoulder for all the good things you are and do, and a well-chosen, “well done!” You are in charge of your life; you are in charge of your self-approval rating. Let’s start approving of our selves today, working with that clay and telling our selves we are okay! “I approve!”