“You need to change. Now!”
That’s the world we live in. We want everything now, now now. When it comes to our relationships and unhealthy behaviors, the day we decide to make changes whether through self-motivation or at the request of a someone else, that’s typically the day we (or they) want them to happen. In many cases, there is no margin for error or regression. You either get it together right NOW, or you go. Continue Reading
I wonder what my temperament might look like if I had been taught this as a child. This should be mandatory learning for all children. If you’re an adult and you never learned it, it’s not too late. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is an expression. Expressions while based on some kind of well-deserved stereotype, are not grounded in fact. Watch and learn. You can do it. It’s never too late.
From this videos You Tube page:
The inspiration for “Just Breathe” first came about a little over a year ago when I overheard my then 5-year-old son talking with his friend about how emotions affect different regions of the brain, and how to calm down by taking deep breaths — all things they were beginning to learn in Kindergarten at their new school, Citizens of the World Charter School, in Mar Vista, CA. I was surprised and overjoyed to witness first-hand just how significant social-emotional learning in an elementary school curriculum was on these young minds. The following year, I decided to take a 6-week online course on Mindfulness through Mindful Schools (http://www.mindfulschools.org/), figuring that if my son was learning about this, it only made sense that I should learn too. Within the first week, I felt the positive effects of this practice take root not only on my own being but in my relationships with others.
As a filmmaker, I am always interested in finding a subject worthy of filming, and I felt strongly that Mindfulness was a necessary concept to communicate visually. Thankfully my husband, who happens to be my filmmaking partner, agreed. We made “Just Breathe” with our son, his classmates and their family members one Saturday afternoon. The film is entirely unscripted – what the kids say is based purely on their own neuro-scientific understanding of difficult emotions, and how they cope through breathing and meditation. They, in turn, are teaching us all.
You want to know why you have no will power when it comes to things like cookies, cake, pizza, pasta, ice cream, double cheeseburgers, Doritos and/or Devil Dogs?
It’s because you’re weak!
I’m just kidding. If you’re like me, that’s the message you’ve beaten into your head since you polished off your first pint of Ben and Jerries or full can of Pringles.
Good news. It’s turns out you’re not weak. You’re just a victim of dopamine.
‘Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off Continue Reading
This is an inspiring article appearing in the September issue of Glamour magazine chronicling actress Zosia Mamet’s (GIRLS) lifelong struggle with her eating disorder. It’s an exceptional piece, specifically in the way she is able to discuss her problem in terms of being an addiction. Many people don’t recognize that eating disorders carry with them a very addictive component that is as hard to quit as an other drug or negative behavior. It’s the reason why people who suffer from eating disorders have found comfort and success in the same twelve step recovery programs as any other addict. Continue Reading
All material is copyright Matt Levy, 2014-2015. All Rights Reserved. The views and opinions expressed on this site unless otherwise indicated are Matt Levy's.Nothing on this site is meant to be a substitute for any form of real therapy or medical advice. Much of what is written is personal opinion. For any mental health or medical concerns, it is imperative that you speak with actual professionals before altering any health treatments. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, in danger of hurting yourself or others, feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or in crisis, it’s very important that you get immediate help! You can do one of the following immediately: Call your local law enforcement agency (dial 911), Go to the nearest hospital emergency room, Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.