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Celebrating Booker T. Washington

One Of Those Forward-Thinkers

(Image:  Marinamaral.com)

Booker T. Washington was born into slavery, with slavery ending when he was a child.  He had a love of reading which, perhaps, many take for granted.  It is, after all, the most important skill a person can have.

This elegant-looking and eloquent-speaking man created the Tuskegee Institute.

For the unpleasant voices in the audience who believe Mr. Washington lacked achievement, this blogger has the following to say:  A person’s, or organization’s, achievements can be based on the conditions of the country in which they reside.

Booker T. Washington accomplished a great deal despite the conditions back yonder.

Coming from a family of educators, and other members who worked in the public school system, we are standing on Mr. Washington’s shoulders.

A salute to Mr. Washington and his donors (no person is an island!)  All courageous, forwarding-thinking individuals.

Vikki

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This Could Be Why You Don’t Understand Some People

Enabling The Mind For Better Health

Some people are floating in the next zeitgeist, and taking only the best of the current one with them.  These are the people seeing the here and now and using certain aspects for the future.  They don’t allow negatives to bog them down but use them as opportunities (positively and responsibly) as a springboard.  They are well-versed in many subjects.

They think differently from most people.  The bigger picture, elevated thinking, the glass is always half full, things could be worse, and other positive components dwell within.  It would require incredibly unusual situations for them to become less than forward-thinking, inspired.

Now that I’ve described these individuals, perhaps we should make it a goal to become more like them.

Vikki

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Why Tunnel Vision Is Important When Preparing For The Future

Albert Einstein in his study at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1951. Photo: Getty Images

Haden (2022) talks further on the subject in, “Einstein’s Law Of Focus:  How To Be More Productive, Accomplished, And Fulfilled Starting Today.  According To Einstein, What You Decide Not To Do Can Make All The Difference.”

Vikki

Reference

Haden, J. (2022).  Einstein’s Law of Focus: How to Be More Productive, Accomplished, and Fulfilled, Starting Today.  According to Einstein, what you decide not to do can make all the difference. Retrieved From https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/einsteins-law-of-focus-how-to-be-more-productive-accomplished-fulfilled-starting-today.html?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IncThisMorning-Dec%2019,%202022&leadId=357043&mkt_tok=NjEwLUxFRS04NzIAAAGIzn–2Iq05xoReV8KLCFvtTgctYsepHgXNoQ8sFjuf0Mymoi5fNCT-BNCXn_kC4-XUXjhzqZPNsy53_Veu5nixcwWcrqNjWOTeWdjJ64

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An Open Letter to Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona

The Honorable Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education

RE:  Developing and Implementing Curriculum For Students About The Perils of Antisemitism

Dear Dr. Cardona:

I am certain that you are shocked at the number of antisemitic incidents which have increased across the United States as I am.

One documented report is one too many!

These instances have a way of becoming a norm (an unhealthy one) which can leave an unfavorable impression on youth in society.  They have a way of emulating what they observe in society.

That is why I am writing to you.

Curriculum can teach about how destructive engaging in antisemitic behaviors (i.e., verbal & physical altercations, Holocaust-denying, false accusations towards members of the Jewish community [a pattern of behavior which has emerged]) become for our young people before they find themselves on a path to violence.  These behaviors cause personal injury to the targets of hate and destroy the perpetrators’ souls–humanity (before they have even started in life).  Members of the underaged population have a way of not thinking about how their behaviors have consequences.

And isn’t education about preparing students not only academically but for responsible livelihoods?

Speaking from a religious perspective, those who engage in antisemitic behaviors cannot even remotely suggest they love God.  People who engage in antisemitic behaviors are fighting against God, and that is a dangerous way to live.

I look forward to your response, and Thank You for listening!

Sincerely,

Victoria Sutton

victoriasut@gmail.com

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The Duty To Warn Doctrine:  The Statute Is Only As Effective As The Circumstances Allow

DUTY TO WARN DOCTRINE

The Duty To Warn Doctrine is the other side of the Duty To Protect Doctrine.

The former indicates that a patient has stated in a therapy session to the therapist the intention to commit a harmful act against someone, and the therapist has many remedies at their disposal to reduce the likelihood of harm coming toward the intended victim.  The latter indicates that the therapist has created a safe environment for therapy sessions, has a secure office for patient records, will provide the best therapy allowed, the therapist will behave with professionalism, and yes, there is that patient-doctor confidentiality.

In America where the statute allows the Duty To Warn Doctrine (in the most robust language possible and with clarity), a therapist can throw out the patient-doctor confidentiality because the therapist has a legal obligation (the first line of defense) to contact the intended victim’s family, the intended victim, and the police (in that correct order) to prevent a Tarasoff situation.  The therapist can place the patient on a rigorous schedule of outpatient visits for therapy.  Also, the therapist can have the patient hospitalized.  

The caveat:  A therapist is not liable when the patient is maintaining routine visits for therapy, taking prescribed medications (when the diagnosis necessitates prescriptions), the diagnosed condition appears to be lessening, there are no outward signs of disturbing behaviors (i.e., the therapist observing patient’s behaviors–mental & emotional), and yet goes out and harms someone anyway.  Scenarios outside of and after a therapist’s office session can explain why a patient will go out and physically harm someone (i.e., set them off), after having what appeared to be a successful health appointment with a therapist.

There is no predictability when a patient will go out and harm others in society when they have not made any indication of the sort  to the therapist in a therapy session even remotely (i.e., verbal, written correspondence, harassment, etc.)

A therapist can experience disappointment in this type of situation, but that disappointment is a long walk from the therapist being held negligent for what they are not responsible for.

Vikki

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Please Make A Contribution To These Organizations That Perform Life-Saving Work

Bring some encouragement for:

9/11 Memorial & Museum

Coats For Kids

Doctors Without Borders

Habitat For Humanity

International Medical Corps

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Paralyzed Veterans of America

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Wounded Warrior Project

Your support is appreciated.  Thank you!

Vikki

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2023 Resolutions, Our Strengths, And Weaknesses

Having a sense of gratitude every day is a form of personal development.  It’s a mindset!

We immediately think of companies when the subject is strengths and weaknesses.  Then, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis is brought into the discussion.  Maybe later in 2023, we’ll talk about that subject and how mental health is a variable.

However, this post talks about why all of us should identify our strengths and weaknesses to increase the former, and decrease the latter.

The Tough Love Post, Self-Improvement

Those who cannot accept they have strengths are either modest or have damaged self-esteem.  Those who cannot accept they have weaknesses have unhealthy self-esteem because they possess inflated ideas about themselves.

Life is about constant participation in self-development!

The person who harbors resentment and engages in minimizing others (especially unprovoked), is an individual wasting their life on these behaviors, instead of performing necessary tasks to lift their station in life.  While life is eroding, the people they resent are passing them by and onto their next endeavors.

Life is about self-improvement, and some people engage in these activities every six months, while others every day.

For instance:

  1. Do you even know who you are and what you believe?  Becoming aware of the self;
  2. Be the kind of person you would want to have around because of personality, attitude, the ability to not only laugh but laugh at oneself; resiliency; 
  3. Cheering for others when they are striving to succeed, instead of making attempts to minimize them, and their efforts;
  4. How about complimenting someone once in a while who has participated in endless, tireless efforts to succeed in their endeavors, instead of tearing them down? and
  5. Use someone as a mentor/role model who engages in constant self-development, instead of having resentment towards them and others like them.

Returning to how it began:  People with a sense of gratitude have a purpose in life.  They create to bring positivity into the universe.  A grateful heart is blessed merely to have woken up this morning to begin again.  They are constantly trying to better themselves, understanding all the while they are imperfect beings. 

Healthy self-esteem!

May we increase our strengths and reduce those weaknesses as we move forward into the brand New Year!

Vikki