Time Will Tell
The current strategy of the Democratic Party leading the nation right now, is to disparage and discount those who have awakened to attend town halls and voice their concern about the massive expansion of government. We’ll see. Elections will take place in the near future and then we’ll know whether this anger and concern is ginned up by hateful insurance companies, wacky radio talk show hosts, and executed by robotic puppets (the American people), or rooted in a genuine desire to preserve our American freedoms and choice of health-care. Blue dog dems, watch out how you vote. States with middle of the road spineless elected representatives like Arlen Specter from PA, be prepared to look for another profession. I think this article is measured and fairly represents my thinking.
“Those chickens have come home to roost”
To quote a famous preacher and former pastor of BO for 20 years, “…those chickens have come home to roost.” This was of course the rationale Jeremiah Wright used for justifying the attack on our NY City twin towers by Islamic radicals. Well it looks like those chickens have come home to roost for our community organizer in chief. BO was short on resume accomplishments (only in the US Senate for 140 days) so his main marquee headline was that of “Community Organizer” back in Chicago (aka agitator, trouble maker, organizing the people to oppose and challenge conventional wisdom or status-quo in government). Now, BO has helped to organize and unify the Republican Party as no one else seems to have the ability to do. This past week, a grass roots effort composed of a wide range of political, social, fiscal conservatives, and libertarians of all ages, have unified to say “fooey” to the Pelosi, Reid, socialized medicine health care reform bill. People are angry and skeptical about the attempt of the Federal Government to run health care. As I’ve pointed out before on my blog, the majority of people are content with their insurance plan. But, when the people rise up and attend town hall meetings held by their representative to express their concerns and opposition, they’re accused of being nazi’s and surrogates of the health insurance companies. Conservative radio talk show hosts are accused of ginning up and agitating the docile, ignorant, and robotic American People. Wrong! We don’t need anyone to remind us that the government can’t even deliver mail correctly and surely can’t determine when and if I need a knee replacement. The leftist Pelosi and Reid have accused the people voicing their concerns as being motivated by “astro turf” efforts which are to be contrasted with real “grass roots” reaction. Basically, this gives our elected representatives cover for going against the majority of the people’s wishes by simply brushing them off as “astro turf” trouble makers instigated by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. Get real. The American way (which seems to escape the White House) is free speech. If BO’s healthcare bill is so great, why be afraid to discuss it? Why establish a web site for people to report “fishey” stories that malign the bill? Why try to rush it through congress before the August recess? Let’s see the bill. Let’s do something some elected representatives haven’t done and actually read the proposals. There should be nothing to hide. I think they’re afraid if the American people actually see what’s coming, there will be even stronger reaction to halt the government takeover of our health care.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Ky., told “FOX News Sunday” that it’s not clear who’s organized and who’s not but that Democrats’ efforts to “demonize” the protesters reflect weak spots in the substance of their plan.
“I think attacking citizens in our country for expressing their opinions about an issue of this magnitude may indicate some weakness in their position on the merits,” McConnell said. “And I also think it’s particularly absurd for the Democrats, who have over an $8 million e-mail list over at the DNC called Organize America, to be criticizing citizens for being organized.”
Rules Made to be Broken Part 2
For example, the rule we have about “cars should not ever pull out in front of us” is our rule, our rule only, and not anyone else’s rule. Sure, it makes sense; it would be nice if people always displayed courteous and safe driving habits. But the truth is, sometimes people will pull out in front of me. The truth is, sometimes I make mistakes. I am not perfect. Others are not perfect. So how do we avoid the anger? We need to re-frame the irrational rules developed and replace them with rational and true thinking patterns. Learn to recognize rules that cause you trouble. Usually the rules we have adopted start with “I must always” or “I should,” “You must always,” “You should.” For example, “I must be in control of ……” These “must” and “should” statements will need to be re-framed using more rational language. A better way to re-frame is to use statements like, “I’d like for you to….” Or “I’d like to always do this, however, sometimes I might not……..” “I’d like to minimize my mistakes, however, sometimes I’m going to make mistakes, and it’s OK.” “Sometimes I’m not going to in control and it’s OK.” “Sometimes kids are going to mess up the house and it’s OK.” Re-framing is not always easy. These thoughts and rules are often involuntary even after a person resolves not to have them. After all, it took a life time of structuring and framing our individual thinking patterns. Studies show that there are actual physiological pathways mapped according to our thinking patterns. These can only be re-framed and re-structured by practicing “re-thinking” and re-framing using the true and rational thoughts. Sometimes the practice and re-framing requires intense, intentional, efforts. But it can be done. We need to first recognize and observe what our “self-talk” is, step back, and critically look at our thoughts. Are they rooted in truth? Is there evidence to support our thinking? Often, we draw conclusions from situations, events or experiences where there is no evidence to support the conclusion. Learn to judge your thoughts in terms or their rational basis. Are there distortions? This is the hallmark of Aaron Beck’s cognitive behavior therapy model that has been used for years with considerable success marked by many clinical studies. Prayer can also be a key factor in re-framing our thinking. If you have additional questions or concerns about how to re-frame, you can e mail me a rwcreasy@gmail.com
Rules Were Made to be Broken Part 1
Ever experience what is referred to as “road rage?” You know, someone pulls out in front of you on the road then slows to a crawling 35 mph in a 50 mph speed zone and you suddenly have the urge to pull up beside them and make obscene gestures with your hands or fingers. Or you decide to pull up as close as you can to their rear bumper and flash your headlights. This is a good example of unhealthy anger that boils up when one of our rules are broken. We all have rules about life, ourselves and others. We have rules about how others should treat us. Rules about being on time, being accepted and how our children should behave. We have rules about how other children should behave. We establish our rules about “knowing,” or being in control of situations. We have rules about how the world should operate and spin. In the case of road rage, we have a rule that goes something like this; “No one must ever pull out in front of me and go slower than the speed limit,” No one has the right to pull out in front of me.” I’m not talking about moral rules or standards. I’m talking about pervasive cognitive rules we develop, usually as children, which we then attempt to enforce upon ourselves and on others. These types of rules can help us survive stressful childhood environments so they can temporarily serve a purpose. However, the problem occurs when we try and apply the rules as we mature into adults, with our spouse, co-workers and friends. The rules don’t work anymore. For example, if as kids we only received love and affection when we made straight “A’s” or only if we scored goals in soccer, then in order to help us survive, we develop an internal cognitive rule that says, “I am only worthy of affection or love if I am perfect. So, I must be perfect. I must perform. I cannot make any mistakes.” These types of rules may succeed in the short term to gain the affection and attention we crave as 3rd graders, but it only causes anger and emotional suffering when we try to apply the rules as functioning adults. Why don’t the rules work anymore? Often the rules we create for ourselves and others are irrational and run counter to the actual evidence. But we ignore the evidence and continue to try and enforce the rule. When our rules are broken, it’s only a natural response of our bodies and mind to become and feel very angry. Sometimes when our rules are broken, we also develop a sense of failure, anxiety, sadness and depression. More–later
Social Anxiety
Ever experience fear or anxiety when meeting new people or in social settings? We’ve probably all felt some tension at one time or the other. Where does this fear originate? Multiple sources of evidence suggest that problematic social anxiety is directly related to our attempts to hide aspects of our “self” from others. We might be telling our self that “If you really knew (_____ ) about me, you would reject me.” We try and avoid scrutiny at times to avoid negative evaluation. But more recent research seems to indicate that it’s not just the fear of negative evaluation by others but more related to the degree to which we BELIEVE the negative evaluation is true. Do we believe the negative evaluation being conducted by another person toward us is justified? Do we believe that this negative evaluation is an accurate estimation of our personal properties?
Social anxiety along with the fear of negative evaluation can be detrimental to our interpersonal relationships not only with those we are meeting for the first time, but also with our spouse or significant others. Excessive attempts to hide self whether consciously or subconsciously often prevent the emotional and spiritual intimacy that is vital to a successful marriage relationship. This is often manifested as the inability or unwillingness to express opinions and diminished spontaneity.
This system of beliefs is associated with self talk that goes something like this: “Based on my experience, if people really knew me, they would reject me; Therefore, I will attempt to hide my true self and avoid scrutiny.”
So what is the solution? Tell yourself the truth about negative evaluation. The truth is that sometimes others may have a negative evaluation of us. The truth is that MOST of time MOST people are accepting and are not engaged in negative evaluation of us. The truth is even if they do engage in negative evaluation of us it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s justified or true. We can learn to view ourselves as unique creations of God with our own flaws, our own quirks and come to realize everyone doesn’t always have to approve of us. It’s OK. Learn to tell your self that “it’s ok.”
If you have additional questions or thoughts about this topic, drop me a line rwcreasy@gmail.com
Sparks of Hope?
Although polls have consistently shown that just over half of Americans think the health-care system is in need of reform, a substantial majority say they are satisfied with their own insurance and care. Any hope of change will require their support, according to experts and advocates across the ideological spectrum
I think it may be finally sinking in that in order to cover the 47 million uninsured (including illegals) it’s not necessary to completely overhaul or reform what doesn’t need reforming. The fact is that most people in this country have access to competent and caring doctors. Obviously there are exceptions. Most citizens (253 million) are satisfied with their plan. Again, I’m sure there are exceptions. I had an interesting experience today at the pharmacy. Yes I have a drug plan with a 20 dollar co-pay. However, what I didn’t know is that the pharmacy I shop has a deal that certain classes of anti-biotics are free. I know that other pharmacies do the same to attract customers (free enterprise and capitalism at work). BO, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi or some other Washington bureaucrat didn’t have to mandate it or pass a law to require it. I also had to pick up another medicine (prednisone, and don’t worry it’s nothing serious). I took them up on their offer to fill it with a generic (God have mercy on my soul) and it cost me 4 dollars. So, 2 prescriptions, and a 4 dollar co-pay. Go figure. Go Reform?
Your Healthcare
Just finished watching George S. interview Sen. Jim Dement from South Carolina. Best discussion I’ve seen for a very important issue. Please take time to view and pass along. Point: Everyone agrees we need reform, not everyone (even the Democratic majority in Washington) agrees a government takeover is the solution.
Community Organizer in Chief
Ever since I first heard of BO about 2 years ago, the media image projected was that of a “community organizer.” Never was sure what that meant except that it was a nice (read deceptive) way to say he was a trouble maker. But again, the image portrayed by all of his supporters along with his silver tongue (sans teleprompter) is that he would bring everyone “together.” We could all hold hands around the camp fire and sing “kum ba ya.” Well. Jeremiah Wright’s teaching and sermons are finally coming to light. Let’s see who he’s managed to bring together. Not the policemen who “stupidly” reacted to a black professor breaking his door in. (Is stupidly a word?) Race relations have never been better, right? What about doctors? You know, those doctors he pointed out in last weeks speech who were ordering unnecessary procedures and tests. What about insurance companies? You know, the ones who cover approximately 75% of our population who have access to the greatest health-care system in the world. Anyone here traveling outside the US for surgery? For therapy? Have a hip or knee replaced? What about a heart valve? What about those mean hateful drug companies? BO’s really got a warm spot in his heart for the pharmaceutical industry. He made reference to “the red pill” or the “blue pill” for patients and doctors to choose from in his attempt to oversimplify the cost issues. Why not take the blue pill if it does the same thing as the red pill but costs less? Duh. If you break the back of the pharmaceutical industry, there won’t be a red pill or blue pill that is effective to treat Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, vaccines, and on and on. So BO in his short tenure as POTUS is organizing the community alright. He’s creating division around class envy, class warfare, and race. His own party who runs both congress and the senate won’t support his big government takeover of US healthcare. His strategy is to take away from those that have, and re-distribute it to those who don’t have as much. At this point his poll numbers are falling and I’m hoping the American people are beginning to wake up and realize that “community organizer” may work as a job description in south side Chicago, but not in Downingtown PA.
“But It Feels Like It’s True”
A challenge that I encounter with practically all of my clients deals with “feelings.” Sometimes it’s used as an excuse for poor responses or behavior. “But I feel hurt.” “I just can’t help it, it’s the way I feel.” Our feelings always result from our thoughts. We tell our self something which then stimulates the “feeling.” Emotions are not all powerful. They seem very strong and can be ingrained over time making them difficult to manage, but we can manage our emotions by becoming aware of our self-talk and telling our self the truth about situations. Feelings often prevent us from looking at our self honestly and identifying our own faults. Feelings often divert our attention to the faults of others. Feelings often cause us to deny that a problem exists. We don’t like the “feeling” we get when we confront evil or difficult situations and it “feels” better just to avoid or deny the problems and the possible solutions. Some “feel” that the best solution is actually more painful than the current confusion and dysfunctional relationship. We keep our eyes closed sometimes because of fear and pride. We fear loss, (loss of relationships, possessions, status, family, etc.) What we fail to recognize is the high cost of doing nothing and remaining in denial. Continued denial of the problems will result in emotional, physical, and spiritual death.
News From Africa
A friend of mine (Andrea Warden) who attends Providence Church is on a mission trip to Kenya. I received a note from her today and wanted to share it with you.
Our days have been very busy! The guys have been working hard on random construction projects and we, ladies, have been building relationships with the girls at the Neema Home. Yesterday, we had a special outing to work with a middle-aged married couple from Washington named Jeff & Carla Picicci. They began doing missions work in Kenya a few years ago and the Lord gave them a very clear, great vision to begin what is now called “Rehema Ministries” (rehemaministries.com). They have a home for abandoned babies/children. Last year when they began, they had around 30 kids and have doubled in one year….now housing 63 abandoned children and calling them their own. They desire to raise Godly, educated boys and girls into a people who will help to change their land and further the Kingdom.
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