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Showing posts from April, 2023

Birth Trauma: Are we Doing Enough to Address it?

It's good to see KKH beginning to support women and children through their experiences of trauma, but is that enough?  What about going to the root of the problem in the first place - the interrupted birth process, and unnecessary medical interventions during birth, from invasive procedures like ultrasounds , c-sections, inducing birth, etc, the very things causing trauma to mothers (and perhaps even babies) in the first place? One of the ways women are healing through birth trauma is through birth reclaiming ceremonies . According to Dr. Isa Gucciardi in this article , ' a lot of women are undergoing incomplete initiations when giving birth. The result is a spiritual crisis that can leave us feeling confused, lost, and extremely disempowered. While not often understood, an unsuccessful childbirth initiation can be linked to the common mood disorder “postpartum depression.”' Knowing this, wouldn't you agree that it is high time for women to reclaim the spiritual, natura

Don't be Mindful, be Feeling

Mindfulness has become a buzzword in recent years, with many people advocating its practice as a way to live a more present and fulfilled life. The idea of mindfulness is to be fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment or distraction. However, for many people, the concept of mindfulness can be difficult to grasp, and can even lead to frustration and anxiety. In this article, I want to challenge the notion of mindfulness and suggest that we should focus less on trying to be mindful, and instead, simply feel our emotions and allow them to flow. The problem with the concept of mindfulness is that it implies that we are supposed to use our heads to be present. We are told to focus on our breath, to observe our thoughts, and to be aware of our surroundings. While this may work for some people, it can be challenging for others. It can be hard to stay focused on the present moment when our minds are constantly racing with thoughts and worries. Moreover, it can be difficult to

'I killed my 5-year-old son from my abuse and neglect'

Read:  5-year-old boy caged and scalded to death: interactive. 'I killed my son because I abused him. Now I want to help others in the same situation learn how to manage before the same thing happens to them'.  Who better to serve and help communities suffering from abuse and neglect than those who lived the trauma, with first-hand, intimate knowledge and experience of the tragedy that is child abuse? There is so much potential for healing, change and and growth here, don't you think...?  Inherently evil, or just terribly unheard, misunderstood and never given a fighting chance to learn, grow, recover and break the cycle of abuse in their lives? Leave your thoughts. 🙏🏼 My 2 cents.

A lesson in self-regulating emotions, to raise self-regulated children

 My son, 5, and daughter, 7, were playing together and talking to each other when he raised his voice. Immediately after that, he starts to cry and yell about how his sister yelled at him, which wasn't true. I calmly told him I do not tolerate lying, and that he was the one who raised his voice, not her. He starts to flip the **** out, kicking, screaming, crying and yelling that I don't love him. He throws his phone to the ground (thankfully onto the mattress). I hold on to him as he struggles with his massive emotions. He rejects my touch. He proceeds to go to a corner of the room covered by my wardrobe to hide and nurse his wounded feelings. After a while of silence and sniffling, I decide to take the approach of sitting quietly nearby him, in the darkness, not touching or speaking, but just being with him. Connection worked. He may have felt anger, hurt, and misunderstood, but he now he also felt loved and cared ablut. After a while, I reached out a hand, and he places his i

How you Feel Affects What you Eat

Our emotions play a significant role in what we choose to eat. When we feel happy or relaxed, we tend to make healthier food choices, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. In contrast, when we're feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, we often turn to comfort foods such as sweets, chips, or fast food. One reason for this is that our emotions can affect our brain chemistry, leading us to crave certain foods. For example, when we're stressed, our body releases the hormone cortisol, which can increase our appetite and lead us to crave high-calorie, high-fat foods. Similarly, when we're feeling down, our brain may release less serotonin, which can lead us to crave carbohydrates or sweets. Another reason why our emotions can impact our food choices is that food can provide an immediate mood boost. Junk food is designed to provide us with a quick burst of pleasure and satisfaction, but it comes with a long-term cost to our health. In contrast, healthy foods provide u

The Deeper Meaning Behind Katy Perry's 'Roar'

The music video for "Roar" by Katy Perry showcases a powerful story of self-discovery and (surprisingly) spiritual transformation. In the video, Katy Perry is abandoned by her male companion in the jungle, leaving her to fend for herself in the wild. However, instead of succumbing to her circumstances, she embraces them and learns to connect with the natural world around her. This video symbolizes the spiritual journey that many people go through when they are faced with difficult or trying circumstances in their lives. When faced with adversity, it is easy to become disillusioned and disconnected from our true selves. We often get caught up in the trappings of modern society, losing touch with the natural world and our inner spirit. Katy Perry's journey in the video highlights the importance of letting go of our material possessions and reconnecting with the natural world. By embracing her surroundings, she discovers a new sense of power and strength within herself. This

The Importance of Imagination in Reality

The intersection of reality and make-believe is a complex and fascinating concept. On one hand, reality is the tangible, physical world that we experience through our senses. It is the world that exists independently of our thoughts and beliefs. On the other hand, make-believe refers to the world of imagination, where we can create and explore possibilities that do not exist in reality. However, it is important to note that reality and make-believe are not necessarily opposed to each other. In fact, imagination is often a crucial component of bringing new ideas and innovations into reality. Many of the greatest scientific and technological advancements in history were the result of someone's imaginative vision. For example, before the invention of airplanes, humans had only ever seen birds fly. The idea of creating a machine that could fly seemed like pure fantasy. However, through the power of imagination, the Wright brothers were able to design and build the first successful airp

Humans Are Feeling Creatures

  As human beings, we are often defined by our emotions. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, and many other feelings can dictate our actions and shape our lives. Our emotional experiences are what make us unique and human, and they allow us to connect with one another in ways that transcend language and culture. However, our society often tries to medicate away our feelings, whether it be with prescription drugs or other substances. This approach may provide temporary relief, but in the long run, it can be detrimental to our authentic living and true relief. In our culture, there is a widespread belief that we should not feel pain, grief, or sadness. When we experience these emotions, we often try to push them away or suppress them. We may use alcohol, drugs, or other unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb ourselves to our feelings. However, this approach only leads to a superficial form of relief. It does not address the underlying issues that are causing us to feel this way in the first place. I

Are We Overmedicating Our Children for Completely Normal, Natural Behaviour?

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the overmedication of children for normal, natural behavior. The trend has been seen in countries around the world, including Singapore, where parents and doctors are increasingly turning to medication to treat children's behavioral issues. However, this approach has come under scrutiny, with many experts arguing that medication is not always the best solution, and that other alternatives should be considered. One of the challenges of modern psychiatry is that it often struggles to differentiate between normal behavior and pathological behavior. This can lead to a tendency to medicalize normal behavior, leading to the overdiagnosis and overmedication of children. For example, it is not uncommon for children to be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when they are simply displaying normal, age-appropriate levels of activity and impulsivity. Research has shown that the overmedication of children can have

Words Will Shape The World

The power of language is truly immense. Words have the ability to create entire worlds, to shape our thoughts, our beliefs, and our actions. As human beings, we have the gift of language, which sets us apart from other creatures on this planet. With words, we can express ourselves, connect with others, and bring our ideas to life. Words are the building blocks of our thoughts. When we speak, we give form and structure to our ideas, and our words become the blueprint for our actions. The words we choose to use have a direct impact on the way we think and feel. Positive words can uplift us, while negative words can bring us down. The way we speak to ourselves and to others can shape our beliefs and ultimately, our reality. Incoherent speech can be a symptom of various mental illnesses, such as psychosis. In these situations, the words we use may not make sense to others, and we may struggle to express ourselves in a way that is understandable. This can be incredibly frustrating, as commu