Susan Boyle is us

The media  is all a flutter over Susan Boyle’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent.  An overnight success with the extraordinary voice that came out of  a 47 year old dowdy woman from a small village in the UK.  It was almost painful watching her walk onto the stage and then engage with the 3 panelists as she described herself.  The cameras panned the audience and focused on individuals making disparaging faces at the possibility that the woman in front of them could perform.  Much to every-one’s  chagrin,  the voice that emerged was jaw-dropping remarkable.  In that moment nearly everyone in the house was standing, cheering, clapping and some tearful.  What is it in us who in a moment, doubts the ability of someone who is not “classically beautiful”, and within seconds, emotions change to rally for the voice who touches in us a heart-response?

What has been written, talked about, and criticized is the possibility  that the performance was contrived.  Many cynics suggest  the panelists already knew Susan had talent.  One could surmise that she did having made it to the stage at all.  The other side of cynical thought lies the hope that a common person, such as ourselves, is able to achieve a dream, pure, simple, earnest.  In that moment she became our hope.  Hope is the the essential foundation that provides us the will to move forward, to strive to overcome obstacles that feel like they work against us.  Hope provides us motivation, gives us strength, shares common bonds, restores belief, and is paramount  to our mental and spiritual health.  Celebrate  the success of hope in Susan Boyle who restores faith in dreams, as we are ever aware, that we are her and she is us.

E-Counseling

E-Counseling is a technique the involves the client and the clinician to communicate as often and at virtually any hour of the day or night.  It allows both individuals to consider the conversation and process it without the pressure of sitting face-to-face. It makes it possible for clients to access services (email) at any time, any day of the week, and virtually anywhere.  With time scarce, this is a significant factor.  It provides individuals in under-served areas the same access as anyone else, including those who are physically challenged.  Some individuals find face-to-face too uncomfortable and the research suggest that an individual feels the ability to be more honest because the embarrassment factor has been removed.  As such, rapport develops quickly and individuals find that  “progress” is more expedient than individuals who engage in counseling face-to-face.  Another benefit that seldom is talked about, there is low overhead for the clinician and rates are more affordable and the likelihood clients to fully engage.

As with any type of intervention, it is imperative that the person(s) seeking mental health collaboration make sure that they engage in services with a licensed professional.  You are always able to check credentials of a professional at any state department who licenses practitioners.  If you are unable to find the proper resources, the professional you are inquiring about should be able to provide that for you.

Resilience

Over the last decade there is a lot of research and discussion about resilience.  We once thought that there were “special” skills and abilities that youngsters who made it out of “difficult” situations inherently possessed.  Now we know that they are very common skills but skills that get utilized at a younger age and therefore, a skill set that is developed and honed over the years.  That being said, it takes great tenacity to transcend  oneself out of an environment that does not foster achievement or developmental milestones that is otherwise afforded to what others take for granted.  We’ve learned that many children in stressful and problematic situations have excellent adaptation, social competence, good problem solving skills, more autonomy and a sense of purpose. They look in the face of adversity and instead of backing away from it, take it on as a challenge.  They go on to have extraordinary lives and help others along the way as they do.  As a society, we do not talk enough about resilience and success and the positive influence that permeates our every day lives. 

Life affords us brief moments to do extraordinary acts, recognize at least one every day.

Michelle Obama’s speech

Michelle Obama’s speech was riveting.  She’s got a profound ability to speak with ease and grace coupled with wisdom and brilliance.