|
|
|
Welcome to the September 2005 issue of the Inner Brat Newsletter! IN THIS ISSUE Katrina brings out the best and the worst ANNOUNCEMENT: INTERNET TECHNIQUES TELECLASS Inner brats in the news Inner brat tip of the month: Give without resentment Distribution information This newsletter is hosted by Topica.com. Topica may include advertisements for unrelated products. I have no control over these ads, but they do help pay for the expenses of distribution, which keeps the newsletter free of cost to you. ***************************************** Katrina brings out the best and the worst ***************************************** The past week has been a grueling one for people in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. My heart goes out to those who have lost family, friends and a lifetime of possessions. Disasters such as this are devastating. At the same time, however, they push our "reset" buttons, forcing us to re-evaluate our priorities. I've seen dozens of hurricane victims interviewed on TV who said that although they had lost their homes, their photographs and their jobs, they were still grateful that they and their family were still alive. Rescue workers dropped everything to bring supplies, transportation and other help to the victims. At times like this one doesn't lament, "Gee, I'm going to miss the Labor Day barbeque." And people like me, who live hundreds or thousands of miles away and weren't directly affected, were jolted into awareness that life is fragile. Loss can happen any time to anyone. That puts into perspective the trivial things that we preoccupy ourselves with. Notice how stuff that might have annoyed you 2 weeks ago doesn't seem like such a big problem today. Thus, some good does eventually arise out of disasters. But we still have brats in the mix. Here are a few of them: 1. Politicians and disaster agency officials: While the victims were stunned, and rescue workers were scrambling to find ways to help, politicians and disaster agency officials stood at the sidelines, blaming one another for not responding quickly enough. No one in charge admitted responsibility. Not only is this unconscionable, but it is also utterly transparent that these higher-ups value their image more than their duties. 2. Looters and shooters When New Orleans was evacuated, those who stayed behind were understandably helpless and distraught. Some raided the stores for food, water and other essentials. This is reasonable, given the circumstances. But the people who took golf clubs, TVs, and luxury goods were just using the situation as an excuse to steal. Some stole guns and ammunition from Wal-Mart, and started shooting at law enforcement officers. Yes, they were probably angry, but their bratty way of expressing it caused even more chaos. 3. Con artists The response of people and governments from around the world has been heartwarming. Donations keep pouring in to help with the rescue and rebuilding efforts. If you want to contribute, be careful of where you send your money. Con artists are already exploiting people's generosity by phoning unsuspecting individuals. They claim to represent some relief organization that you've never heard of, and ask for credit-card donations. Con artists are also setting up websites containing the name "Katrina," and making them look as if they are legitimate charitable organizations. And you may be getting spam emails urging you to make a donation. The emails contain a link, which takes you to a website that collects your personal data and credit card number, and uses this information to rip you off. If you donate to the hurricane relief, make sure it's a charity that you know. The Better Business Bureau in the U.S. has a website with links to legitimate organizations: http://www.give.org/news/katrina.asp. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Need a speaker for your next conference, luncheon meeting, or event? Send an email to: drwa-@drwallin.com or call me at 717-761-1814 for more information. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MY NEW INTERNET TECHNIQUES TELECLASS STARTS SEPT 14 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've spent the summer designing and preparing a telecourse on Internet Techniques for Mental Health Professionals. Can't wait to show you tricks, techniques and resources that can make your Internet search SO much more productive and fun. Classes meet by telephone conference call -- you'll be given a phone number with a pass code. While on the phone during class, you'll be able to surf the net along with me, from your own computer. This is far better than reading about it or watching someone else demonstrate. The best learning happens with hands-on experience. Although the class is aimed primarily at mental health professionals, anyone is welcome. During our searches I will be using examples with mental health content, such as depression, stress, therapies, etc. But the techniques and resources also apply to just about any search. Here is what you'll learn: - Become familiar with several tools and techniques for efficient Internet searching, and learn which tool is best for a given search (HINT: Search engines are just ONE of the tools) - Gain proficiency in broadening or narrowing your search - Learn how to locate scholarly and authoritative articles, and to keep abreast of the latest research in your area of interest - Learn how to evaluate the quality of information at a given website - Discover Internet-based tools to collaborate with colleagues and friends - Learn ways to keep your computer and its confidential information safe and secure while online This course is co-sponsored by the Pennyslvania Psychological Association, and gives 6 Continuing Education Credits for psychologists and counselors. For more information, and to register, go to: http://drwallin.com/internetguide/internet-search-course.shtml Hurry -- class starts next week! Cost: $149 ($125 for PPA members) NOTE: I can offer the PPA member rate to subscribers of this list. When you register, just click on the link for PPA members. Questions? Email me at drwa-@drwallin.com, or call me: 717-761-1814 ***************************** Inner Brats in the News ***************************** A new website, www.anti-deadbeat.com, targets "Lawsuit Leeches, Welfare Wasters, Porky Politicians, Lazy Employees and Parasites in General." Michael Webb, owner of the site, says that these people cost society $2.964 trillion in taxes, insurance premiums, product prices, and more. ========================================================= A woman filed a complaint against a doctor because he told her that she was obese and needed to lose weight for her health. She claimed that he was hurtful, not helpful. ========================================================= For more stories about brats in the news visit my website http://www.drwallin.com/news.shtml **************************************************** Inner Brat Tip of the Month: Give without resentment **************************************************** Giving to others is one of the best ways to keep your inner brat in check. Focusing on others' needs helps you forget your own troubles and complaints. But not everyone is deserving of your help, especially those who take advantage of your generosity, leaving you feeling "used" or resentful. If you feel hurt or resentful when helping a specific person, stop helping that person. To continue would result in escalating your own inner brat. Plus, it would reinforce a sense of entitlement in the person who is taking advantage of you. Helping others is a gift to them. A gift is not something that you owe to anyone. Nor is it something that others are entitled to. Be selective in what you give and to whom you give it -- and you won't resent giving. ___________________________________ If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. All they need to do is to send a blank email message to mailto:innerbrat--@topica.com. If you have comments or questions, feel free to email me at mailto:drwa-@drwallin.com. Until next month, Pauline Wallin, Ph.D. http://www.innerbrat.com |
