#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Parenting Olympians, Women in Sports, Teaching Daughters RE; Inner Beauty & More

Parenting, Women in the the Olympics, CVS & Cigarettes, 82 Year Old Supermodel

Thought for the Day: I don't know about you, but I've had about enough winter for this year! I do have several great finds for youon this cold winter day. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Have a great weekend! The only positive thing about it being winter is that the Winter Olympics are starting this week.

1) I can't believe that I'm sharing an advertisement from Proctor & Gamble as one of this week's Fabulous Finds, but they prepared a great ad on how to parent Olympians that is really wonderful. It's called Thank You Mom, Pick Them Back Up.

2) On the topic of the Olympics my second find, This Is The First Year Women Can Ski Jump At The Olympics. Here Are 7 Other Sports We've Been Barred From, is an article on the history of women's sports in the Winter Olympics. You may be surprised to learn that women have not been allowed to compete in many of the Olympic sports and still cannot compete in one winter event!

3) Words From a Father to His Daughter (From the Makeup Aisle), the third find, is a wonderful letter by a father to his three year old daughter. Every parent should share the sentiments with their daughters.

4)My fourth find, Kicking The Habit: CVS To Stop Selling Tobacco, Sacrificing $2 Billion In Sales For Public Health And Future Growth,  is about the bold move made by CVS. They decided that it went against their mission to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle. I hope that other pharmacies and stores will follow suit.

5)Many couples who want to adopt a child only consider adopting an infant. My fifth fabulous find,  The Internet Cheers For Little Girl Whose Adoption Finally Became Official,  is the story of a couple who adopted a foster child.

6) Finally I have a photo of an 82-Year-Old Supermodel (who) Still Stuns And Admits 'I'm Still Figuring Out How To Do The Job'  This octogenarian proves that at any age we can continue learning and accomplishing our dreams.

Thursday's Psychology Trivia: Do Opposites Attract?

Thought for the Day: Today's psychology trivia question continues February's Valentine's Day (Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Albert Einstein & Dr. Lavi On Gravity, Levity & Love) theme:

"True or False: Opposites attract"

Although many people believe that opposites attract, research does not uphold the common myth about love relationships. It may be that during the infatuation stage of romance people are attracted to traits which they wish they had. For example, a shy reclusive person may be attracted to a more outgoing gregarious partner, hoping that they will make their social interactions easier. However, when push comes to shove, if the relationship continues, that personality trait may pull them apart in the same way that opposite poles of a magnet push away from one antoehr. The introvert may prefer to stay home, watch TV, read or play games on the computer while the extrovert will feel bored and caged in at home, craving social interactions, parties and events. The same holds true for fitness activities, hobbies, educational differences, and ambitions.

If you would like to read more on this topic, Karl A. Pillemer, Phd, a professor of Human Development at Cornell University, recently released a study, 'Opposites Attract' Or 'Birds Of A Feather' -- What's Best For A Long Marriage? He interviewed older couples who have been married for decades. His findings suggest that even if there are differences, similar core values and outlook on life are the most important ingredients for happy long marriages. He also looked at couples who were married for shorter amounts of time.

If you are looking for Mr. or Ms. Right, keep in mind that while opposites may be attractive at first, it may lead to friction as you get to know one another.  Similarities will predict better long term compatibility.

Don't forget to enter our Valentine's Day Voting Contest. It's easy. Just like our facebook page in order to enter & vote for your favorite photo from twenty of last year's blog posts. One lucky winner will receive a free 1/2 hour phone consult with me and a free copy of The Wake Up and Dream Challenge. The voting ends on Feb. 12th so that you can start moving towards your dreams by Valentine's Day.

Flashback Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Albert Einstein & Dr. Barbara Lavi: On Gravity, Levity and Love

Thought for Today: I have a busy day & decided to repost these Words of Wisdom and updated the image associated with the post. I really like what I can do on BlogGif. 
Thought for the Day: It's February and since Valentine's Day is around the corner, I searched for quotes about love and relationships. This light hearted quote by Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize Winning physicist caught my eye:

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love." Albert Einstein

Tuesday's Psychology Tip: How 2 Reduce Stress While Trying to Conceive

Thought for Today: It can be stressful when things don't happen quickly when trying to conceive. Here's a tip from my HealthTap TipTaps that may help.
TipTap: Trying to conceive

    

 

LIVING WITH

If trying to conceive, focus on having fun with your partner. Avoid worrying about getting pregnant  

Dr. Barbara Lavi, HealthTap Scholar

Click here: If you'd like to see more Tip Taps from Dr. Lavi on HealthTap

Motivational Mondays: What Preventable Plague Is Causing 1 in 4 Deaths in Our Society?

Thought for the Day: I came home from a great weekend in Boston last night, turned on the TV to hear about the Superbowl and instead learned that Philip Seymour Hoffman died. I was surprised to hear he died of an apparent drug overdose in his NYC apartment. He was found after a worried friend went to his apartment to check on him when he did not pick up his 3 children. I was 1st shocked and then saddened at the senseless death of one of the greatest actors of our century. I still am saddened; however, I am angry as well. Hoffman joins a ever lengthening list of actors, musicians, and artists (Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Corey Monteith, Amy Winehouse, John Belushi, Jimi Hendrix) who are dying from a preventable medical illness that is our era's greatest plague. I am angry that stories about these untimely deaths become sensational headlines, instead of stimulating action to treat and conquer the disease.

Since I work in the field, I don't need statistics to know the outrageous proportions of the illness' impact on our society, however, I looked some up in case you are not aware of them:

"Drug-related deaths have more than doubled since the early 1980s. There are more deaths, illness, and disabilities from substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition. Today, one in four deaths is attributable to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use."  (Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America®, www.drugfree.org)

In case you don't realize this, alcohol is the #1 drug in the United States. Don't let the alcohol industry's advertising fool you into believing that it is not a dangerous drug. It is a depressant & does not make you happier or enhance your life. It destroys your body, but it is a slow killer. Many drug overdoses occur with a mix of alcohol and other drugs in the person's system. People make bad judgements while drinking including driving and using other drugs. Mr. Hoffman's drug of choice appears to have been heroine but all drugs can be lethal.

About 2 years ago, I received an e-mail from a woman. I'll call her Linda. She asked if I was the same Dr. Barbara Lavi who had been the Director of the Delphi Center in Burlington MA. She gave me her phone number and asked me to call her if I was the same therapist. Linda was surprised that I remembered her well, even though I had only seen her 2 or 3 times ten or fifteen years ago. Linda was a petite thin woman who had only been drinking for 8 or 9 years; however, because she was tiny, the alcohol was already destroying her body. A few days before I met her, Linda had blacked out while drinking. When she awoke she realized she was laying in a pool of blood. Somehow she crawled to a phone and called an ambulance. She was taken to an emergency room, After a 3 day hospitalization for Detox, she was referred to me for psychotherapy. 

After completing Linda's mental health evaluation, it was clear to me that she needed more than psychotherapy. I refused to work with her unless she went for an immediate evaluation for an inpatient hospitalization. After the intake procedure at the hospital, Linda was afraid she would lose her job if she went directly into the program. She asked me to see her for 1 or 2 sessions until she made arrangements for a medical leave from work. I agreed on the condition that she also attend AA meetings daily in the interim. I saw her until she was hospitalized. After the inpatient program she called and let me know she would be continuing with the program's outpatient services for aftercare. That was the last I heard from her until I got the e-mail.

When we spoke on the phone, she told me that she wanted to thank me for saving her life and that she wanted to send me a present. I told her she already had given me the greatest gift. She was clean and sober and alive.

If you are shocked, saddened, and angry, like me, by the death of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, I propose that you can do something. It seems that Hoffman had appeared to have overcome his addiction when he was 22 years old, but relapsed about a year ago. Friends are saying they thought he had licked the problem, but my guess is there may have been some telltale signs that were noticed and ignored that he was in trouble again. When someone has an addiction, it never disappears. The addict, their friends, families and coworkers need to pay attention for any signs of a relapse.

Do you suspect that someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol? If you do, don't wait till they become another statistic. If you are not sure how to help, call a mental health clinic or hospital that specializes in drug and alcohol treatment. Ask for their assistance. They will help you set up an intervention. You could save their life. Feel free to comment or ask me questions about what else you can do. 

Superbowl Sunday Comics: Snow Sculpture Versus Freudian Slip

Or Comment If you have a different title or an interpretation for the Freudian Slip

Thought for the Day: Here are two funny photos which I found on Redit specially for Superbowl Sunday. Photo A said it was taken in Alaska, however it could have been taken in about 50% of the USA this year.  Photo B: A Freudian Slip or I think I'll pass on the specials! 
Let me know what you think. Plus if you prefer A, Share if you prefer B and comment if you don'i like either, have another Caption or an interpretation for the Freudian slip in B.

Hope you enjoy the photos and the game!

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Pete Seeger and the Psychology of Folk Music

Thought for the Day: I already wrote about Pete Seeger, but want to share some more of his music today in his honor. I decided to write about the psychological impact of Pete Seeger's music. Saturday's posts always share music that has been inspirational or helped people cope with the challenges of life. Pete Seeger's vast catalogue of songs did more than just soothe and inspire our souls. Psychologically, his music did more.

An important psychological element to our mental health is related to what psychologists call internal locus of control. To translate into simple English, when someone has a sense of internal locus of control they feel they are in control of their lives and what happens to them, not fate or other people. Pete Seeger's music sent out a strong message that we have control even when we may be suffering from oppression. However, his music went one step further to empower the listener. His music also encouraged people to take action, join in, raise their voices and become a change agent not only for themselves but for others suffering from prejudice or injustice. His songs were simple, honest and encouraged the listener to think freely, to question injustice and to stand up for what they believe. They teach people who may have lost hope that they could take control of their lives. They could make a difference. His music helped end the Vietnam War, overcome segregation, restore the Hudson River and helped many other causes around the world. He never put down his hammer of justice, stopped ringing his bell of freedom or teaching us us to love our brothers and our sisters all over this land.