Greetings Global Villagers and Urban Angels, LLC:
TGIF!!
We have had great discussions this week about triggers. But not all triggers are negative nor do all of them evoke adverse feelings. Some triggers are positive and evoke friendship, support, trust, and commitment.
Urban Angels, LLC is a diverse group of over 1800 members. One of the great benefits of being a member is that we can network with each other and have access to various resources. For instance, one of the leaders of the group reached out to me for support with a major project that he has been working on for three years. Through word-of-mouth, relationship-building, and connecting, he entrusted my input and expertise. This triggered feelings of gratefulness, humility, and honor within me.
Hopefully, as we begin working together, we will build a friendship that will last beyond Facebook and other social media networks. Also, my hope is that this Flying-By-Friday blogspot will inspire members to share how they were positively triggered by someone else in the group. Maybe, just maybe, this will begin a pay-it-forward within Urban Angels, LLC.
Wanna join the V-formation? I hope so...
Why?
Because Urban Angels fly by with greatness!!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Thriving-In-Transition Thursday!!
Greetings Global Villagers:
All this week we have been talking about triggers. As a reminder, Marcia Perkins-Reed, the author of Thriving in Transition, declared that we are always in transition!!
In order to live our most effective lives, we must learn how to transition even after we have experienced painful and traumatic events. On last Thriving-In-Transition Thursday, we discussed various ways of operating at The New Zero by going with the flow of change. One of those ways is to allow for unpredictability.
What are the correlations of being triggered by past events to allowing for unpredictability to thriving in transition? I'm glad you've asked!! Perkins-Reed identified the Coper, which are those of us who have "chosen immature and maladaptive strategies" [to manage life. Also, Copers are those of us who] don't believe that we have any other choice, but to react as we have in the past" (p. 32).
We are triggered during unpredictable occurrences in our lives. Like I've shared on this Introspective Tuesday, I never intended to burst into tears when I smelled oregano for the first time in 7 years. It was an unpredictable occurrence. On the one hand, I could have 'coped' by choosing the immature strategy of never using or eating food seasoned with oregano again because of my initial reaction and how much it reminded me of my mother. On the other hand, I could have 'thrived' by allowing myself to transition from a place of grief and loss to a place of openness and freedom. I chose the latter. At that time, I chose to allow myself to cry, experience the sense of loss, and talk about my pain with my friend. Currently, I am thriving; I am free to eat food seasoned with oregano with no adverse feelings.
Are you a Coper? How do you handle your triggers? Do you go with the flow of unpredictable occurrences? Do you perceive that you have options? Just some food for thought...
Why?
Because you have the greatness to thrive in transition!!
All this week we have been talking about triggers. As a reminder, Marcia Perkins-Reed, the author of Thriving in Transition, declared that we are always in transition!!
In order to live our most effective lives, we must learn how to transition even after we have experienced painful and traumatic events. On last Thriving-In-Transition Thursday, we discussed various ways of operating at The New Zero by going with the flow of change. One of those ways is to allow for unpredictability.
What are the correlations of being triggered by past events to allowing for unpredictability to thriving in transition? I'm glad you've asked!! Perkins-Reed identified the Coper, which are those of us who have "chosen immature and maladaptive strategies" [to manage life. Also, Copers are those of us who] don't believe that we have any other choice, but to react as we have in the past" (p. 32).
We are triggered during unpredictable occurrences in our lives. Like I've shared on this Introspective Tuesday, I never intended to burst into tears when I smelled oregano for the first time in 7 years. It was an unpredictable occurrence. On the one hand, I could have 'coped' by choosing the immature strategy of never using or eating food seasoned with oregano again because of my initial reaction and how much it reminded me of my mother. On the other hand, I could have 'thrived' by allowing myself to transition from a place of grief and loss to a place of openness and freedom. I chose the latter. At that time, I chose to allow myself to cry, experience the sense of loss, and talk about my pain with my friend. Currently, I am thriving; I am free to eat food seasoned with oregano with no adverse feelings.
Are you a Coper? How do you handle your triggers? Do you go with the flow of unpredictable occurrences? Do you perceive that you have options? Just some food for thought...
Why?
Because you have the greatness to thrive in transition!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wonderfully-Sexual Wednesday!!
Happy Hump Day Global Villagers:
Instead of picking up where we left off from last week, I want us to continue on the topic of triggers from this week's Introspective Tuesday blog spot!
As we've shared on yesterday, the term trigger is used within the recovery community. In addition, people who are grieving may be triggered by something that reminds them of their deceased loved one. On this Wonderfully-Sexual Wednesday, let's discuss how people who have been sexually traumatized may be triggered.
Sexual trauma refers to sexual situations, in which we are unprepared for, that cause intense fear, powerlessness, shame, and guilt. People who have been sexually traumatized are left to deal with long-term emotional, psychological, and interpersonal problems, to name a few. Triggers from sexual trauma are automatic responses to present-day stimuli.
Like we discussed on yesterday, triggers of sexual trauma can be experienced as adverse emotions. Moreover, some triggers from sexual trauma may be experienced as physical sensations in the body. Even certain sexual acts can trigger our sexual trauma. Some people who have experienced sexual trauma may also experience post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, which is a type of anxiety disorder that is triggered by a traumatic event.
The Sexualization Circle of the Five Circles of Sexuality by the Advocates for Youth, refers to the use of sexuality to influence, control, or manipulate others. Forms of sexualization range from rape, incest, sexual harassment, withholding sex, to seduction and/or flirting. If a person has experienced sexual trauma, then the other person used his or her sexuality as a form of control.
To learn more about how present-day stimuli may trigger your past sexual trauma, consider taking my 8-session psycho-educational intervention titled, Demystifying Sexuality and the Impact of Trauma. For more information, please feel free to contact me at helpingyou@latishaferrara.com.
Why?
Because every aspect of you was wonderfully created with greatness!!
Instead of picking up where we left off from last week, I want us to continue on the topic of triggers from this week's Introspective Tuesday blog spot!
As we've shared on yesterday, the term trigger is used within the recovery community. In addition, people who are grieving may be triggered by something that reminds them of their deceased loved one. On this Wonderfully-Sexual Wednesday, let's discuss how people who have been sexually traumatized may be triggered.
Sexual trauma refers to sexual situations, in which we are unprepared for, that cause intense fear, powerlessness, shame, and guilt. People who have been sexually traumatized are left to deal with long-term emotional, psychological, and interpersonal problems, to name a few. Triggers from sexual trauma are automatic responses to present-day stimuli.
Like we discussed on yesterday, triggers of sexual trauma can be experienced as adverse emotions. Moreover, some triggers from sexual trauma may be experienced as physical sensations in the body. Even certain sexual acts can trigger our sexual trauma. Some people who have experienced sexual trauma may also experience post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, which is a type of anxiety disorder that is triggered by a traumatic event.
The Sexualization Circle of the Five Circles of Sexuality by the Advocates for Youth, refers to the use of sexuality to influence, control, or manipulate others. Forms of sexualization range from rape, incest, sexual harassment, withholding sex, to seduction and/or flirting. If a person has experienced sexual trauma, then the other person used his or her sexuality as a form of control.
To learn more about how present-day stimuli may trigger your past sexual trauma, consider taking my 8-session psycho-educational intervention titled, Demystifying Sexuality and the Impact of Trauma. For more information, please feel free to contact me at helpingyou@latishaferrara.com.
Why?
Because every aspect of you was wonderfully created with greatness!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Introspective Tuesday!!
Greetings Global Villagers:
On this Introspective Tuesday, we will focus specifically on triggers.
The term trigger is used in several contexts. Those in the recovery community use the term trigger in reference to people, places, or things that evoke the desire to return to drugs and/or alcohol use. To avoid relapse, those in recovery are taught how to deal with their triggers. The first step is to identify those things in life that tempt them to use drugs and/or alcohol.
The term trigger is also used by those who are grieving a loss. Certain movies, smells, places, pictures, activities, or songs may trigger one's thoughts about their deceased loved one. These types of triggers can occur unexpectedly. For instance, my mother seasoned her food with oregano more often than anyone cared for. Seven years after her death while I was cooking dinner at a friend's house, I grabbed the oregano and began seasoning my food. I immediately burst into tears. Unbeknown to me, that was the first time I smelled oregano since her death. Unconsciously, I stopped using oregano because it reminded me of my mother. On that day, my grief was triggered and I experienced the feelings associated with losing her.
The point I'm trying to make on this Introspective Tuesday is that we are all triggered by someone or something. Most times, what others say or do, certain places, or specific things evoke adverse feelings or responses within us. When feelings or responses are brought to the surface we have to introspectively ask ourselves, "What is going on within me that is causing me to be in this state?" "Why is this (person, place, thing, or circumstance) bothering me?"
Please ponder the following concept:
Why?
Because you must address anything that hinders the fulfillment of your greatness!!
On this Introspective Tuesday, we will focus specifically on triggers.
The term trigger is used in several contexts. Those in the recovery community use the term trigger in reference to people, places, or things that evoke the desire to return to drugs and/or alcohol use. To avoid relapse, those in recovery are taught how to deal with their triggers. The first step is to identify those things in life that tempt them to use drugs and/or alcohol.
The term trigger is also used by those who are grieving a loss. Certain movies, smells, places, pictures, activities, or songs may trigger one's thoughts about their deceased loved one. These types of triggers can occur unexpectedly. For instance, my mother seasoned her food with oregano more often than anyone cared for. Seven years after her death while I was cooking dinner at a friend's house, I grabbed the oregano and began seasoning my food. I immediately burst into tears. Unbeknown to me, that was the first time I smelled oregano since her death. Unconsciously, I stopped using oregano because it reminded me of my mother. On that day, my grief was triggered and I experienced the feelings associated with losing her.
The point I'm trying to make on this Introspective Tuesday is that we are all triggered by someone or something. Most times, what others say or do, certain places, or specific things evoke adverse feelings or responses within us. When feelings or responses are brought to the surface we have to introspectively ask ourselves, "What is going on within me that is causing me to be in this state?" "Why is this (person, place, thing, or circumstance) bothering me?"
Please ponder the following concept:
"It's never about other people or external circumstances. It's always about us and the problem lies within us. Until we look within ourselves and figure out what needs to be sorted through, we will always be triggered in that area, wherever that area is."Selah...
Why?
Because you must address anything that hinders the fulfillment of your greatness!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Magnificent Monday!!
It's a Magnificent Monday Global Villagers:
I hope you had a great weekend!!
It's a new day and the beginning of a new workweek. I want us to remember the definition of magnificent, which means to be great indeed or exceptionally fine. I want to ask you a question. What personal attributes do you possess that are great indeed? Oftentimes, we know our weaknesses. More often, we spend time trying to improve our weaknesses.
Let's try something different this week. Take some time on this Magnificent Monday to write down your attributes and strengths. After writing them down, then assess what needs to be done to strengthen them. For instance, I am the developer and facilitator of two 8-session group-level, psycho-educational curricula on human sexuality. One of my curricula is titled, Demystifying Sexuality and the Impact of Trauma. I am very confident in my group facilitation skills and my knowledge base of human sexuality as you can see in my Wonderfully-Sexual Wednesdays blog posts.
Excitedly, I was recently reintroduced to Toastmasters International, which provides a mutually supportive and positive learning environment for people to develop communication and leadership skills. I am considering joining the Philadelphia First Toastmaster Club to sharpen these specific skills.
So, let's make it a Magnificent Monday by strengthen your strengths this workweek. In turn, everything that you do will be great indeed.
Why?
Because it's a Magnificent Monday and you were created with greatness!!
I hope you had a great weekend!!
It's a new day and the beginning of a new workweek. I want us to remember the definition of magnificent, which means to be great indeed or exceptionally fine. I want to ask you a question. What personal attributes do you possess that are great indeed? Oftentimes, we know our weaknesses. More often, we spend time trying to improve our weaknesses.
Let's try something different this week. Take some time on this Magnificent Monday to write down your attributes and strengths. After writing them down, then assess what needs to be done to strengthen them. For instance, I am the developer and facilitator of two 8-session group-level, psycho-educational curricula on human sexuality. One of my curricula is titled, Demystifying Sexuality and the Impact of Trauma. I am very confident in my group facilitation skills and my knowledge base of human sexuality as you can see in my Wonderfully-Sexual Wednesdays blog posts.
Excitedly, I was recently reintroduced to Toastmasters International, which provides a mutually supportive and positive learning environment for people to develop communication and leadership skills. I am considering joining the Philadelphia First Toastmaster Club to sharpen these specific skills.
So, let's make it a Magnificent Monday by strengthen your strengths this workweek. In turn, everything that you do will be great indeed.
Why?
Because it's a Magnificent Monday and you were created with greatness!!
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