Lifes A Bicycle Presentation to CAPA Feb 2017

Academy of Creative Living ©2017 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com

Life’s A BicycleYou Can

Balance Your Life

Just Like You Balance A Bike!

Academy of Creative Living

Sharon M. BarnesTherapist For Sensitive and Gifted

MSSW – Masters of Science in Social Work, SDSU

LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker, ColoradoLocal Counseling/Psychotherapy

Online Distance ConsultationPresentations, PlayShops & Retreats

Professional Development

I provide Jungian-oriented depth work to help you: Release your Creativity Heal your Past Transform your Pain Become Fully Alive Find & Fulfill your True Purpose


Life’s A Bicycle

Thanks, CAPA!


Life’s A Bicycle

HTTPS://DELIVR.COM/2W8A7

You can Find the Complete Presentation Here:


Life’s a BicycleEvery time You RIDE a bike or even SEE one, I invite you to Remember —To Balance Your LIFEJust Like You Balance a BIKE All You have to do, is:

Tune In

Tune Up Take off


Maybe you can relate . . .


Do you -Feel overwhelmed with too many demands on your time & energy?Suffer from Compassion Fatigue – caring for everyone else before yourself?Feel frazzled from being tugged in too many directions at once? Feel stressed?


Would You Like toGET and STAY balanced Thrive AND Reach your goalsBecome STRONG and FLEXIBLE Build on body-mind skills you ALREADY have

Go BACK to Kindergarten for some FUN!


Why?Life = Stress (Holmes Rahe)

Stress can make you sick= Life can make you sick?–It did to my husband Gary (1989) –It did to me (1990)


Who?Who gets the most negative impact from stress? CASIGYs™!

Creative, Curious, Complex

Acutely Aware

Super-Sensitive

Intense, Intelligent, Introverted and/or

Gifted

YOU?


What you’ll learn -THE MOST COMMON SINGLE MISTAKE HOW TO CORRECT IT3 WAYS TO CHECK FOR THE SOURCE OF TROUBLE WHAT NOT TO DO2 QUICK AND EASY THINGS 3 KEY LIFE BALANCE SKILLS


Life’s A Bicycle

Can You Ride A Bike?

What was it like to master the skill of riding your bike?


How’s Your Ride?Smooth?Bumpy?Got a flat?Anyone run into any bumps today? Last week? Last month?


How Balancing Your Life is Like Balancing a Bike!

• Both are Mind-body skills• Both require Dynamic--not static--balance

Dynamic Balanceo Accommodates shifts in body, mind & emotionso Responds to changes in weather & traffico Flexes when the road or path varieso Adjusts to continual movement

©2017 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com



Balance Your Life



3 KEY Life Balance Skills

1. Tune in2. Tune up3. Take off



1.Tune in


Tune InMost Common Single Mistake–Ignore itHow to Correct It–Tune In


What I don’t know can’t hurt me!

©2017 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com


©2016 Sharon M Barnes, MSSW, PLLC www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com

Barriers to Feeling Our Emotions



1. DON’T FEEL!oDon't feel sadoDon't feel madoDon't feel bad oDon't feel too glad/happyoDon’t feel __________


So We Stuff our EmotionsThe Result?


©2016 Sharon M Barnes, MSSW, PLLC www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.comEmotional

Volcanoes


Emotional Floods



Have You Had This at Home or School?

Emotional Icebergs


Emotions are like Ocean Waveso natural phenomenono energyo don’t ask permissiono respond to the weather, moon & earth’s movemento Our 1st reaction is to o When we fight them, o Learn to READ themo Learn to RIDE them

FIGHT THEMWE LOSE

stay SAFEhave FUN

©2016 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC. www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com



1.Tune in


Signs of Bike ImbalanceWobblySlow downFallWork harder???


Signs of Life ImbalanceIrritability/over-reactions

Anxiety/Depression

Fatigue

Inability to concentrate

Dis-ease

Sleep disruption/changes

Appetite/eating/weight changes

Overwhelming emotions

Life crisis or chaos

Decreased or Increased sex drive

Increased in mistakes or accidents


Imbalance [ StressShort Term Effects of Stress

Increased concentration

Increased endorphins block pain

Second wind

Increased fuel & oxygen

Increased energy & strength

Decreased allergic reactions

Blood diverted to muscles

Digestion slows/stops

Blood sugar drops or raises

Decreased sex drive

Increased white & red blood cells

Faster blood clotting


Imbalance [StressLong Term Effects of Stress

Increased error rate

Decreased endorphins/ increased sensitivity to pain

Weight changes

Shaky nerves

Intolerance to heat or cold

Impaired immune system

Increased chance of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and aneurysms

Blood sugar drops or raises turn into Diabetes & hypoglycemia

Increased damage to lungs from air pollution & smoke

Increased digestive problems

Increased fatty deposits

Decreased sex drive, increased sexual dysfunction


Prime Times for CASIGY™Imbalances to Occur

Leg-lifting experiences

Marriage

Divorce

Change of job

Change of residence

Change of family size

Life transitions

Hunger, fatigue, boredom

Illness

Death

Loss of Job

Financial difficulties

In abnormal circumstances, abnormal feelings are normal (Bryan)


Signs of Life ImbalanceIrritability/over-reactions

Anxiety/Depression

Fatigue

Inability to concentrate

Dis-ease

Sleep disruption/changes

Appetite/eating/weight changes

Overwhelming emotions

Life crisis or chaos

Decreased or Increased sex drive

Increased in mistakes or accidents


3 4 Ways to Findthe Source of Trouble

1. Stop2. Look3. Listen4. Feel


What do you find when you stop, look, listen?

Pandora’s Box containedo Shadowo Evilo Monsters

oHope


What do you find when you stop, look, listen?How are you feeling today?


Here’s Some

Daily Dynamite!

o What’s happening?o How am I feeling

o Physicallyo Emotionally

o What color flag is flying on my inner beach?


©2016 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC. www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com

3. What SIZE is this Wave of Emotion? How strong or fast is it?


GREEN Flag = Small waves = ALL CLEARYELLOW Flag = Medium waves = CAUTIONRED Flag = Big waves = DANGERBLACK Flag = Tsunami = GET OFF THE BEACHPURPLE Flag = Something’s in the water = BEWARE

What Color Flag is flying on Your Inner Beach?©2016 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC.

www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.com


Here’s Some

Daily Dynamite!

o What’s happening?o How am I feeling

o Physicallyo Emotionally

o What color flag is flying on my inner beach?


We all have Caterpillar Days



2.Tune up


Tune UpThe Art of Bicycle Maintenance

HOW to Tune Up:CheckCleanLubricateAdjustReplace or RepairRepair Shop


Tune UpThe Art of Bicycle MaintenanceWe Resist Tune Ups

Time$Pandora’s boxTake care of others first???


Tune UpThe Art of Bicycle MaintenanceWhy Tune Up?

Smoother rideLess effort (Abe Lincoln)More pleasant rideCare for yourself so you CAN care for others


Flight Attendants’ Secret Formula

Put on your own oxygen mask first– BUT we’re supposed to love

others first! WRONG!– Love your neighbor AS

YOURSELF• Your love for others is limited

by ….. YOUR CAPACITY TO LOVE YOURSELF!


We’re Afraid the Dam will BURST


To save the dam, open a flue

HOW? Release your emotions • in small amounts• often


Why Release Emotions?

All body cells have memory, not just the brainToo much pressure in a pressure cooker make an explosionToo much tire pressure causes blow outsWhat you feel, you can heal (Gray)What you resist, persistsChaos allowed to progress leads to orderPositive disintegration leads to a higher level of development


Why Release Emotions?

All body cells have memory, not just the brainToo much pressure in a pressure cooker makes for an explosionToo much tire pressure causes blow outsChaos allowed to progress leads to orderPositive disintegration leads to a higher level of development (Dabrowski)

What you feel, you can heal (Gray)

What you resist, persists


Catch & Release

You have to CATCH IT


Catch & Release

before you can

RELEASE IT!


Catch & Release

Let’s DO it!


3 4 More Things CASIGYs™ Can DO to Restore Balance1. Breathe (8-4-7) x 42. Give thanks 3. Stretch 4. Laugh


Life’s A BicycleIF You Can

Balance A BIKE,

You Can Balance Your LIFE!


Life’s A BicycleHandlebarso Connection pointo Steering mechanismo Help support rider’s

weighto Mounting place for

lights, levers, brakes, etc.

o Come in many styles


Life’s A BicycleSaddleo Connection pointo Support, stabilityo Does it ‘sit well’?

o Lower ito Change the angleo Adjust your riding styleo Get a post with springso Get one suited to your

needs


Life’s A BicyclePedalso Connection pointo You push on the pedal to propel

the bike o Some pedals allow you to pull

up on the upstroke also to increase power even more


Life’s A BicycleThe Right Fito Frame sizeo Wheel sizeo Soft or hard seato How high the

seat rideso How many gearso ???


Life’s A BicycleFrameo Provides the main

structure for the bikeo Is made differently for

road vs trail ridingo Affects handling &

responsivenesso Affects rider comforto Affects power transfer

efficiency to the wheelso Need to flex vertically


Life’s A BicycleWheels

o Make it a vehicle

o Provide the movement


Spokes o Pull the RIM inward toward

the HUBo transfer power from your legs to

the wheelo Support your weight o Even tension on all spokes is

keyo Bike wheels may have 28 -144

spokeso Would you like to draw your

wheel(s)?o How many spokes does your

bike/life have?o How much tension is on each of

your spokes?


Life’s A BicycleTires

o Cushion your ride

o Give tractiono Help with

handling


Brakeso Slow it downo Stopping powero Hold it still

Life’s A Bicycle


What’s the HUB around which your life revolves?


Life’s A BicycleGears

Are for efficient use of energyHelp your kneesGet you there with less effortHow many gears do your life have?How do you shift gears in your life?


Helmeto Brain bucket –

protects the heado Minimizes injury in a

fallo Not limit visiono To be effective, needs

to be worn properly

Life’s A Bicycle


Ego & Soul Working TogetherLife’s A Bicycle

o We need a strong egoo We need Soul to leado What does ego have to

sacrifice to give up the control?

o How can your ego support your Soul?

o How can your ego protect your Soul?


We All Need Cocoon Time



3.Take off


Take Off!It’s about the Journey . . . AND the

Destination1. How’s your journey going?2. What’s your destination/goal?

1. Is your goal something your ego and soul can agree on?

2. Does your manner of traveling fit or suit you?

3. Get Started. . . Exploring new territory


Exploring New Territory: Hands-on Learning

“The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we developed them.” (Einstein )

Einstein used Combinatory Play to break new ground– His new ideas came through images during playful times

– The harder work was translating them into words (Hadamard)

Our hands know what our frontal lobes do not (Jung)

Carl Jung developed Active Imagination


Creative Exploration IMaking something with our hands that represents the challenges or dilemmas we face:

Bridges mind and body and spiritBridges “right’ and “left” brain/ uses the whole brainBridges conscious and conscious mindPromotes soulfulness and spiritualityHelps us learn beyond mere thinkingIs practice for exploration in new territory


Creative Exploration IIBypasses the inner censor to access deeper awareness and higher creativityUtilizes Inductive ReasoningImproves problem-solving skillsIncreases imagination– “Imagination is more Important than facts/knowledge”

(Einstein)

Does not require unusual artistic ability or creativity


Creative Exploration IIICreating = High Level Learning (Bloom's Taxonomy)

Ancient Wisdom-Chinese proverb

– Tell me and I'll Forget

– Show me and I'll remember

– Involve me and I'll understand

Five Steps to Completion:

Creating

Evaluating

Analyzing

Applying

Understanding

Remembering


1. ConnectBody, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Self

How?oGet ride of distractionsoGather materialsoSet a timeroGet comfortableoRelax with Belly Breathing


2. Identify1. Identify a current stressor

a)What does your mind go to at stoplights, in the shower, when your brain has downtime?

b) What sticks in your ‘craw’? c) If you had a Magic Wand, what one thing would

you use it to do or change?

2. Write it down; Set this aside


3. CreateThere is no right or wrong approach to usePay attention to what attracts you or jumps out at youPrepare with deep breathing & relaxationSee with third eye; listen with inner earProceed with action: make something that represents or symbolizes the image(s) or sound(s) that you perceiveYou are the judge of what and when is “enough”

©2017 Sharon M. Barnes, LCSW, PLLC www.TherapistForSensitiveAndGifted.co

m


4. ContemplateStop, look & listen (again)

What colors, shapes & textures do you see?Give it a voice: What does it say to you?Activate Your Imagination:– Have an imaginary conversation with your creation– Focus this conversation on the

current dilemma– Follow the conversation (in your

imagination) wherever it leads you


5. CrystallizeWhat does this demonstrate about – What you need to Tune In, Tune Up & Take off?– What you can do to help yourself and/or your

employees, students or children balance their complexity, sensitivity & intensity?

– Whatever else came up for you?

Make a record: write or draw what you have perceived.


There’s a Time to Leave The Cocoon and Fly


Take Off!It’s about the Journey . . . AND the

Destination

1. Get Started. . . Explore new territory


Take Off!2. Stay on Tracko Trail hard to follow?o Things take longer than

expected?o Distractibilityo New ideas that comeo Which idea(s) to follow now?


Take Off!3. One Pedal

at a Time


Take Off!4. Pace Yourselfo Is this a strength or a

stretch?o Elk medicine helps


Take Off!5. Pedal, pedal,

pedalo Requires staminao Requires

commitment


Take Off!6. Finisho Barriers in the way of

completiono How much discipline

does this take?o What else does it take?


Take Off!7. Celebrate• Good job! Well done! Yay for you!• Are you good at this?• Barriers to celebration• How can you celebrate your own victories?• How can you help others close to you

celebrate their victories?• What’s a good way to celebrate your

victories of today?



Balance Your Life



Life’s a BicycleEvery time You RIDE a bike or even SEE one, I invite you to Remember —To Balance Your LIFEJust Like You Balance a BIKE All You have to do, is:

Tune In

Tune Up Take off

Lifes A Bicycle Presentation to CAPA Feb 2017

Education

Transcript of Lifes A Bicycle Presentation to CAPA Feb 2017