By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
Here we are, looking at the end of 2017. It has been a tumultuous year for many people -- personally, politically and socially. Depending on where we live and who we are, the happenings of 2017 may still be stirring within our minds, bodies, hearts and spirits. However, there is still time to make a good end to 2017: Remember all of the painful and difficult experiences that took place this year. There may have been shock, distress and feelings of disbelief. Or perhaps there was great chaos, and feelings of deep disappointment, worry or fear. Write these feelings and experiences in your journal (or on a piece of paper if you don't keep a journal) and say one by one, “I acknowledge and agree that this happened.” If you wish, light a candle to recognize and acknowledge all of these events.
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By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
This morning I went to my little local bank in Akron, Pa., to do bank business. When I pulled into the parking lot, I immediately noticed something unusual at the door of the bank. Just a few feet in front of me: a man in a white shirt yelling and motioning with his arm, another man standing by, a big gray box on the ground wedged between the door. I took a moment to look, trying to determine what was happening. The man in the white shirt appeared to be in some sort of distress, the other man removing his own shirt and gesturing with it. Deciding it was safe to proceed, I stepped out of my car and approached the two men. The white-shirted man was a worker who had been remove a large piece of box-like equipment from the bank. The equipment had fallen from the wheeled truck and slammed on his finger, which was caught between the box and the metal door frame. The finger was nearly severed. There were smears of blood on his clothes, the box and other places. One of the bank employees called 911 and stepped out to the curb to flag down the ambulance. By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
The total eclipse of the sun is today. Astronomers, the people who watch all sorts of cosmic phenomena, define the eclipse as the time when the new moon passes between the earth and the sun. The sun seems to “disappear,” and the sky becomes dark. Astrologers say the eclipse is more than a spectacular visual experience. Because they chart the deeper meanings of the movements of these magnetic heavenly bodies, they look at how these shifting energetic forces impact our lives. So, we have the option of looking outward, noticing the dazzling display of light and dark, an awesome demonstration of the mysteries of the universe and forces that are so much bigger than us. And we have the option of looking inward, noticing our own blockages and shadows, as well as the small seed-shifting energies that want attention and nurturing. By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
Every year, I notice that people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. This confusion extends not only to the general public, but also to newspaper and media reporters — and even some politicians, who tend to talk a lot about veterans on Memorial Day. I'm noticing this confusion as I open this morning's newspaper and see a multitude of advertisements thanking veterans for their service. Although it is always good to thank veterans for their service to their country -- and I say that as the wife of a Vietnam veteran and a daughter of a father who served honorably in the U.S. Navy -- that is not what Memorial Day is about. By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
It's Spring, so I had fun putting together this gift basket for the silent auction at the upcoming 2017 conference of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama from May 4-7 in Clearwater, Fla. I call this basket "Warm Up Fun," and it includes an assortment of items, including masking tape, Tarot cards, small sand tray items, a music CD, a journal and a package of colorful plastic eggs. Here's the protocol for creating a warm up with your group with the eggs: By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
I have a new name. Not me – a new name of my website. You may have already seen it – I changed it just the other day to www.realtruekaren.com. Many people use their first and last name as their website name, which certainly makes their site name unique. But when you have a name that’s hard to spell and hard to pronounce – for some people! – then it makes sense to look for something else. I’ve had a few other web names in the past, all good ones, but this one is better. Real. True. Karen. When you sign up to work with me in some way – as a coach, trainer, psychotherapist, mentor or supervisor – you get me. The real me, the actual me, the true me. By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
Today I would like to tell you a little story about a family of mice. It isn't a pretty story, but I promise that it will be meaningful in your own life, or in the lives of people you know. Once upon a time, there was a group of male mice living in a science laboratory that were exposed to a beautiful aroma. It was a pleasing aroma, a smell like a combination of cherries and almonds, that made your eyes dreamy, your body happy and your brain swoon. Then the mice, under the influence of this beautiful aroma, were traumatized with electric shocks. These mice eventually reproduced to birth the next generation of mice. And, as it happens, this second generation of mice birthed a third generation, which I’ll call the “grandchildren mice.” Now these grandchildren mice were living happily in the laboratory, without a care in the world, when the scientist allowed them to sniff that lovely aroma of a scent like cherries and almonds. By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
I preach, preach, preach to my clients about the importance of a support system, a tribe, a community. On Saturday in Lancaster, Pa., I felt the power of the tribe of women coming from all experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. Some men, too. And children. And elders. And babies. And people of every color, both skin and hair. Some in wheelchairs and others standing ably. Some professional musicians, and some singing off key. Some model-pretty people and others average looking. Some loud and boisterous sporting bright pink hats, others primly holding a little modest sign with their fingertips. We all need to feel connected to a community, and we especially need it now. The fact is that community in all its forms gives us strength and is the best antidote to anxiety and isolation. By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
A man wrote to Dear Abby, the syndicated advice column, to voice his distress about his wife’s hoarding behavior. The letter was titled Key to Wife's Hoarding May Be in Her Genes. “Abby,” the name used by columnist Jeanne Phillips, offered her answer. I offer my view here too – it’s so important that people know about their options! Here's the letter: DEAR ABBY: My wife and I and our 13-year-old son live in a nice home we have been remodeling for the last eight years. The problem is, my wife has a hard time getting rid of anything, and she constantly brings home "new projects" that take up space but never get done. At one point, we hired a professional organizer because we had reached the point of having "goat trails" as the only means of navigating our way around the house. We also have a barn that is chockablock full. I have heard that the root cause may be due to an anomaly on a chromosome. How should I approach my wife about getting some genetic testing done? Her mom is also a professional pack rat. The clutter is taking its toll on our relationship -- we are in marriage counseling -- and on our family. We have so much stuff I can't breathe. -- SUFFOCATING IN MONTANA By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP
Thinking about the past year? Here is a way to make a good end to 2016: Remember all of the painful and difficult experiences that took place. Write these experiences in your journal (or on a piece of paper if you don't keep a journal) and say one by one, “I acknowledge and agree that this happened.” If you wish, light a candle to recognize all these events. Notice how you feel in your body when you make this acknowledgement. |
AuthorKaren Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, is an author, trainer and psychotherapist who promotes, practices and teaches experiential methods including psychodrama, Family and Systemic Constellations, sand tray, mindfulness and Tarot imagery. Archives
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