Time for Inspiration!

BLOG SESSION

October 3rd, 2017

"Time for Inspiration!"

Welcome back Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~

We are here for a short inspiring Blog Session to lift you up this week!

There has been a lot going on in the world, and there may have been a lot that has happened in your life in the past week.  If you have been under any kind of stress, you are invited to take a hold of the above Quote . . .

"Give your stress wings and let it fly away!"

~ Terri Guillemets

You don't really have the luxury of being stressed.  If you need to, write down what you are stressed about, then ball the paper up and throw it away.

For your journal/Diary this week, take a moment to really think about your Goals and your Purpose and write everything down in your Journal . . .

Journal & Diary Notes

Take a moment to think about your short term and long term goals and write your list of goals down in your Journal or Diary.

After you have done that, think about your Purpose in life, and write down what your purpose is in life.  How does your Purpose line up with your short term and long term Goals?

Let your list sit, and come back to it next week.  If you have anything to add to it, be sure to add to your list next week.

Be encouraged . . .

Until our next Blog Session ~ Keep your spirits lifted up!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2017 - All Rights Reserved

Creative Journal Writing

Creative Journal Writing

BLOG SESSION

July 2017

Good Afternoon Blog Readers, Writers, Followers & Visitors ~  Welcome back to another great Blog Session that will stimulate your mind!

Our Subject matter for today is "Creative Journal Writing".  Many people underestimate the power of using their Journal to create unique literary works of genius.  Once you get started using your Journal in a creative way, you will never run out of taking advantage of the many avenues and the various possibilities for innovative Journal Writing.

I have a question for you:  What do you think "Creative Journal Writing" is?

You'll need to have your Journal to really participate in this Blog Session in a beneficial way.  If you are new to the Blog, then you will need to get a nice Journal to bring to these Blog Sessions so that you may take notes that will help you with your Writings, as well as other areas of life that we explore from time to time.  We discuss Writing Tips, Novel Genres, Writing Resources, and other pertinent issues such as Mental Health Month, Camp NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month,  and other areas of interest to our friends and Readers here.

Create your own Journal Cover

If you were here for our last Blog Session, then you were able to check out the link that was supplied for you to get to our connected Site on Google where Artists, Poets, Authors, Painters, Photographers, Architects, Designers, Musicians, Singers, Song Writers, Videographers, Film Makers, Short Story Writers, Novelists,  Playwrights, and other Artists of various gifted backgrounds come together to share their Artworks, comments, thoughts, and share their Friendship.  The link was supplied because Art has a way of inspiring the Writer, and sparking the literary genius in you.

Here is the link once again in case you missed checking it out in our last Blog Session:   Artistic Minds® Collection

If you are a Google+ User, you are welcome and invited to join us in our connected Artistic Minds® Community ~ where you will meet other creative Writers, Artists, and talented beautiful people like yourself.  You can join and share your Artworks, Poetry, Writings, Messages, Photography, and more!

One thing about being creative:  Just the simple act of creating energizes you, inspires you, and uplifts your spirit.

Creative Journal Writing is about doing unique and innovative things that are not typical of most Journal Writers.

Most Journal Writers who are writers of fiction, drama, or poetry, are aware that their Journal Writing builds their writing muscles and helps them to generate ideas.  The Journal can be used as a Laboratory of sorts for the Writer, Author, Novelist, Memoirist, Poet, and Creative Writer.

Song Writers, Film Makers, Playwrights, Designers, Architects, and other creative individuals can find good use for Journals by experimenting with different approaches.  You can use your Journal for the important details of your artistic creation ~ be it writing, design, or otherwise.

If you are in the habit of keeping Journals or Diaries, then you know the importance of these precious tools for the Creative Author as well as Artist.

Diary/Journal

Whenever you need a source of inspiration, you can always look back at one of your Journals from the past to inspire you to create new literary or artistic works.

Diaries help you to notate your thoughts, ideas, activities, and special happenings in your life.  Diaries also help you to smile, because when you go back to read what you have written years later ~ you'll laugh!

See you back here for more ~

Creative Journal Writing TIPS!

(Be sure to pick up a Journal for our next Blog Session!)

Until we meet again Friends ~

Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - JULY 2017 - All Rights Reserved

BLOG SESSION

Tell me more about the Psychic Vampire . . .

Good Afternoon Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~ We're back to continue where we left off.  We were discussing a topic that caught the eye of a lot of our Readers.  Many of our Friends reading the Blog could relate to our topic of discussion because they had at one time been connected to a psychic vampire.  Others here reading said that they were currently connected to someone who they considered to be a psychic vampire, or thought that they knew someone who could possibly be a psychic vampire. We're about to dive back into the topic of Psychic Vampires.

When we were last here, we went over how you can recognize the psychic vampires in your life, and also you were given the description of the various types of psychic vampires.

In order to recognize the psychic vampires in your life, you were asked to make a list of the people in your life who you thought might fall into the category of a psychic vampire.  In addition, you were to evaluate your relationships with these specific individuals.

In your Journal you should have all of the your personal notes about this topic, as well as notes from our last very interesting Blog Session . . .

Journal Notes

As we get ready to begin our Blog Session for today, please grab your Journal and get ready for new information on Psychic Vampires.

Journal Notation:  Individuals who are psychic vampires are also referred to as psi vamps, energy drains, or energy suckers.

How a Psychic Attack Happens

When a psychic attack takes place, the psychic vampire receives an energy surge while the victim experiences fatigue.

People who suck the energy of others normally do so unwittingly.  This sucking takes place when one's energy is depleted and needs to be replenished, and as a result, sucks the energy of another person.  It is not unusual for a person who is ill or feeling inadequate emotionally to draw upon or deplete energized individuals of their life force.  These so-called suckers are not bad people, most of them are not aware on a conscious level that they are doing what they are doing.

Still, their unknowing actions can play havoc with anyone who leaves an energetic opening for this type of thievery.  It is important for us to be aware that we may be susceptible to having our energies stolen from us and we must learn ways to protect ourselves.

Where is the Harm?

The harm in a psychic attack is that there is no fair exchange of energy and therefore one person feels depleted while the other person (psychic vampire) becomes energized.

Traits of a Psychic Vampire

• 1.  experiences feelings of abandonment or rejection
• 2.  needs constant reassurance (very insecure)
• 3.  never feels satisfied (very needy)
• 4.  seeks nurturing (low self esteem)
• 5.  low energy - fatigue

Special Notes

Please make a special note in your Journal that each of us has psychic-vampire tendencies that sometimes need to be put into check.  Do you see any of the traits of a psychic vampire in yourself?

Now what comes next is the question that was asked in our last Blog Session:  Do you know whether you are a psychic vampire or not?  Write your answer in your Journal.

Many people are being attacked by psychic vampires and they do not realize it.  Check to see if you are being attacked by psychic vampires by looking at these symptoms . . .

Symptoms of a Psychic Attack by Psychic Vampires

• leaky or diminishing aura
• dizziness
• loss of energy
• muscle tension
• mental confusion
• headaches
• chronic fatigue
• sleep disturbances
• irritability
• depressed mood
• physical illness

Psychic Vampire at work

When you come up against a psychic vampire, you need to be prepared and protected.

Protection Against Psychic Attack

Awareness:  Become aware of which individuals deplete your energy and limit your contact with them.

Invoke the White Light:  Visualize a bubble of white light surrounding your auric field.

Energy Shields:  Carry protective amulets.

Prayer:  Stay prayerful.

Note:  Highly Sensitive Persons are especially at risk to being harmed by energy drains.  Being a hypersensitive person could be described as being allergic to life.  For the highly sensitive person (HSP) a seemingly ordinary day can be overwhelming.  Even the most subtle of stimulants a person encounters on a daily basis could possibly be overwhelming or over-stimulating.  Triggers for the hypersensitive will vary from individual to individual.   [We will talk more about Highly Sensitive People in our next Blog Session].

Be sure to join us in our next Blog Session where we will continue to discuss and expand upon our topic involving Psychic Vampires, protection against them, Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), and stories of cases of encounters with Psychic Vampires.

UP NEXT:

Quiz ~ Are you a Psychic Vampire?

Protection Against Psychic Vampires

Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Stories & Cases of encounters with Psi Vamps

(otherwise known as Psychic Vampires)

Until our next Blog Session

Remember to enjoy your week with relaxing music ~

~ Detox & De-Stress with relaxing music ~

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

© Copyright - René Allen - JUNE 2017 - All Rights Reserved

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

BLOG SESSION

JUNE 2017

We're back with another enlightening Blog Session!  If you were here for our last Blog Session, then you have written in your Journals and completed your Empath Journal Assignment.  If you missed our last Blog Session, you can catch up by just scrolling down to view it, or by clicking on the link in the far right-hand column.

Everyone was encouraged to complete the Empath Journal Assignment, which consisted of the following . . .

Empath Journal Assignment:

Write with empathy about your "self".

Tips:  Be aware of your feelings;

Use understanding as you explore your feelings;

Capture your thoughts as they appear while you write;

Be sensitive to both your thoughts and emotions;

Finally, Empathize with your "self "

Hopefully, you were able to complete the Empath Journal Assignment, and found out a little more about your "self ", and also discovered a little more about "empathy".

We are about to enter into an area of mental health that we had mentioned in a previous Blog Session, and promised to have a discussion about. . . 

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

What is Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) as a Cluster C (anxious or fearful) Personality Disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is defined by exhibiting at least four of the following:

1. Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.
2. Showing perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met).
3. Excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity).
4. Being over conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification).
5. Inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value.
6. Reluctance to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things.
7. Adopting a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes.
8. Shows rigidity and stubbornness.

It is important to note that while a person may exhibit any or all of the characteristics of a personality disorder, it is not diagnosed as a disorder unless the person has trouble leading a normal life due to these issues.

A formal diagnosis of OCPD requires a mental health professional to identify 4 out of the above 8 criteria as positive.  Some people with OCPD may exhibit all 8.  Most will exhibit only a few.

Every relationship between a Personality-Disordered Individual and a Non Personality-Disordered Individual is as unique as the DNA of the people involved.  Nevertheless, there are some common behavior patterns.

Following are descriptions of characteristics and behaviors which may be observed in an individual who suffers from obsessive compulsive personality disorder.  This list includes direct traits which occur in OCPD sufferers and co-morbid traits from other related personality disorders which may also occur in an OCPD sufferer.  The list below contains descriptions as observed by family members and partners. Examples are given of each trait, with descriptions of what it feels like to be caught in the crossfire and some good (and bad) ideas for coping.

Characteristics & Traits

Please note that these descriptions are not intended for diagnosis.  No one person exhibits all of the traits and the presence of one or more traits is not evidence of a personality disorder.  For a list of traits used in clinical diagnosis of OCPD refer to the OCPD DSM Criteria.

These descriptions are offered in the hope that non-personality-disordered family members, caregivers & loved-ones might recognize some similarities to their own situation and discover that they are not alone.

(Please click on the links to read more about each trait).

Alienation - Alienation means interfering or cutting a person off from relationships with others.  This can be done by manipulating the attitudes and behaviors of the victim or of the people with whom they come in contact.  The victim's relationships with others may be sabotaged through verbal pressure, threats, diversions, distortion campaigns and systems of rewards and punishments.

"Always" & "Never" Statements - "Always" & "Never" Statements are declarations containing the words "always" or "never". They are commonly used but rarely true.

Anger - People who suffer from personality disorders often feel a sense of unresolved anger and a heightened or exaggerated perception that they have been wronged, invalidated, neglected or abused.

Avoidance - Avoidance is the practice of withdrawing from relationships with other people as a defensive measure to reduce the risk of rejection, accountability, criticism or exposure.

Blaming - Blaming is the practice of identifying a person or people responsible for creating a problem, rather than identifying ways of dealing with the problem.

Catastrophizing - Catastrophizing is the habit of automatically assuming a "worst case scenario" and inappropriately characterizing minor or moderate problems or issues as catastrophic events.

Circular Conversations - Circular Conversations are arguments which go on almost endlessly, repeating the same patterns with no real resolution.

Denial - Denial is the practice of believing or imagining that some painful or traumatic circumstance, event or memory does not exist or did not happen.

Depression - When you feel sadder than you think you should, for longer than you think you should - but still can't seem to break out of it - that's depression.  People who suffer from personality disorders are often also diagnosed with depression resulting from mistreatment at the hands of others, low self-worth and the results of their own poor choices.

Entitlement - Entitlement or a 'Sense of Entitlement' is an unrealistic, unmerited or inappropriate expectation of favorable living conditions and favorable treatment at the hands of others.

Hoarding - Hoarding is the practice of accumulating items to an extent that it becomes detrimental to quality of lifestyle, comfort, security or hygiene.

Hysteria - Hysteria is inappropriate over-reaction to bad news or disappointments, which diverts attention away from the problem and towards the person who is having the reaction.

Manipulation - Manipulation is the practice of baiting an individual or group of individuals into a certain response or reaction pattern for the purpose of achieving a hidden personal goal.

Mood Swings - Mood swings are unpredictable, rapid, dramatic emotional cycles which cannot be readily explained by changes in external circumstances.

No-Win Scenarios - No-Win Scenarios and Lose-Lose Scenarios are situations commonly created by people who suffer from personality disorders where they present two bad options to someone close to them and pressure them into choosing between the two. This usually leaves the non-personality-disordered person with a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" feeling.

Objectification - Objectification is the practice of treating a person or a group of people like an object.

Panic Attacks - Panic Attacks are short intense episodes of fear or anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as hyperventilating, shaking, sweating and chills.

Passive-Aggressive Behavior - Passive Aggressive behavior is the expression of negative feelings, resentment, and aggression in an unassertive, passive way (such as through procrastination and stubbornness).

Perfectionism - Perfectionism is the practice of holding oneself or others to an unrealistic, unsustainable or unattainable standard of organization, order or accomplishment in one particular area of living, while sometimes neglecting common standards of organization, order or accomplishment in others.

Projection - Projection is the act of attributing one's own feelings or traits onto another person and imagining or believing that the other person has those same feelings or traits.

Proxy Recruitment - Proxy Recruitment is a way of controlling or abusing another person by manipulating other people into unwittingly backing you up, speaking for you or "doing your dirty work" for you.

Push-Pull - Push-Pull is a chronic pattern of sabotaging and re-establishing closeness a relationship without appropriate cause or reason.

Ranking and Comparing - Ranking is the practice of drawing unnecessary and inappropriate comparisons between individuals or groups for the purpose of raising one's own self-esteem or lowering someone else's sense of self-worth relative to a peer group.

Selective Memory and Selective Amnesia - Selective Memory and Selective Amnesia is the use of memory, or a lack of memory, which is selective to the point of reinforcing a bias, belief or desired outcome.

Sabotage - Sabotage is the spontaneous disruption of calm or status quo in order to serve a personal interest, provoke a conflict or draw attention.

Selective Competence - Selective Competence is the practice of demonstrating different levels of intelligence, resourcefulness, strength or competence depending on the situation or environment.

Splitting - Splitting is a psychological term used to describe the practice of thinking about people and situations in extremes and regarding them as completely "good" or "bad".

Thought Policing - Thought Policing is any process of trying to question, control, or unduly influence another person's thoughts or feelings.

Triggering -Triggers are small, insignificant or minor actions, statements or events that produce a dramatic or inappropriate response.

Tunnel Vision - Tunnel Vision is the habit or tendency to only see or focus on a single priority while neglecting or ignoring other important priorities.

As promised, we are going to discuss how people with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) have the capacity to experience great emotional depth because of their hypersensitivity.  You'll find that discussion in our next Blog Session.

And we will also discuss the difference between Empaths and Highly Sensitive People.

Be sure to join us!

~ See you back here shortly Friends ~

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

© Copyright - René Allen - JUNE 2017 - All Rights Reserved

Notes:  Movies Portraying Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Traits

These movies portray individuals with the closely related Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

As Good As It Gets - As Good As It Gets s a 1997 romantic comedy starring Jack Nicholson who portrays an obsessive-compulsive author and Helen Hunt, who plays a waitress who has to deal with him.

Mommie Dearest - Mommie Dearest is a 1981 biography of Hollywood Actress Joan Crawford, played by Faye Dunaway, who, according to the account in the movie, exhibited Obsessive Compulsive, Borderline and Narcissistic Traits.

Sleeping With The Enemy - Sleeping with the Enemy is a 1991 psychological thriller starring Julia Roberts, who tries to escape from her abusive husband, who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.

The Aviator - The Aviator is a 2004 drama film starring Leonardo DiCaprio based on the life of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes, a successful inventor, film producer and aviation pioneer who exhibits a number of severe obsessive-compulsive traits.