These days we are reading a great deal about trauma treatment. While we all hate to think of so many victims of trauma, this coverage is a good thing because trauma sufferers shouldn't feel like they're the only ones who've been handed a massive pile of shit like yours. However, it can be confusing when you have an array of choices and no 100% sure way to know what will work for you. Look at it this way: lots of people can take a couple of aspirin for a headache, but some people are not going to respond well to aspirin. Even something like a headache and its treatment have a zillion variations.
Trigger Warning
Trigger Warning ("TW"): A trigger is an experience that causes a rush of overwhelming feelings, sometimes even flashbacks. Naturally a blog dedicated to the process of recovering from trauma is going to contain triggers. Please be aware of as many of your own triggers as possible; take care of yourself as you read; and have a plan in place for taking care of yourself if something here triggers you.
It is important to remember that even enormous feelings are not dangerous, merely unbelievably unpleasant. Part of our work here will be learning trigger management. You may also benefit from seeking counseling from someone experienced in your kind of trauma.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
The Trigger Warning Controversy
A couple of years ago I bought a car with satellite radio potential. Since my own humble opinion is that Austin has the worst radio of any major city I've ever been in, I signed up for the satellite and never looked back.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Creativity: Whatcha Gonna Make Outta That Shit of Yours?
I was listening recently to a radio interview with Philipe Petit - magician, juggler, wire-walker, artist, inspirational speaker - on the topic of creativity, the subject of his most recent book. At the time I was treating myself to a slow drive through the hill country west of Austin on a beautiful spring day. I had no goal or destination in mind; there was nothing that I wanted or needed. I had some thought that I might practice learning to take landscape photographs, but as it turned out I never took my tripod out of the car.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Watching A New Museum Open
This week I've been taking in the NY Times coverage of the opening of the 9/11 Memorial - a controversial project about a horrible event. Even those of us who just watched the attacks on television, or who only know-someone-who-knew-someone who was killed, have been deeply affected.
With All Respect
My language here may be coarse, as it is in real life, and my attitude may be sharp at the edges. But the fact is, I have all due respect for everyone who is confronting a terrible experience. No one, and I mean no one, gets to judge how people manage the traumas and tragedies that happen to anyone else.
What IS This Shit?!?
Everybody's pile of shit is unique, even if the circumstances surrounding the endowment seem similar. To have your house broken into and a bunch of your stuff stolen is traumatic, but it's going to have different meanings for people, and different impacts.
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