Charles Swenson

Getting Old Sucks; Acceptance Helps. Tune in to my next podcast, tomorrow, Thursday, 6:00 pm est, or find it later for listening or downloading at charlieswenson.com. To listen live, call-in to 641-715-0874 Access code 319705#

Sometimes the path to deep internal change is to do the same single behavioral move again and again. Sometimes the path to a single behavioral change is the discovery of a deep inner story. Sometimes you just need to go to sleep or take a Vitamin.

My freshman high school biology teacher, Calvin Foulk, started class every day peering at us from under his white bushy eyebrows, raising his voice and speaking with intensity: “BIOLOGY TEACHES US TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR LIVES!” I was hooked.

If we can all go to the same address—the intersection of here and now—by simply observing, describing, and participating in present moment reality around and inside us, our connection with each other will be more solid, profound, and healing than through social media such as this

The benefits of OBSERVING—breath, body, walking, eating, the sky, a tree—bringing one’s attention into contact with present moment reality(definitely not fake news) without clutching, clinging, or withdrawing, is of benefit beyond measure.

DBT therapists must address repeated dishonesty dialectically: absolutely and matter-of-factly hold the@individual accountable while remaining absolutely non-judgmental and curious. #DBT

No one ever learned a new skill unless they experienced the need for it. It can’t be forced. Cultivating the soil, the conditions, for learning.

TO HELL AND BACK: tune in Wednesday to: TEN REASONS THAT DBT SKILLS PROVE USELESS, and what to do about it. Listen Live: call-in to 641-715-0874 Access code 319705#

One skill can change how you manage emotions and can seriously change your life! But you have to grab hold of it, practice it repeatedly and deliberately, make it into a habit, use it all over the place. The skill of “observe” is the core of the core. Try it—you’ll like it!

Better to have short term goals that you can feel and can believe in than to have long term goals that are too vague to grab onto.

Reality is dialectical. Informed by "WISE MIND" awareness and acceptance of reality as it is in this moment, hook onto value-driven goals, generate sufficient force and perseverance to go after them over time, and be smart when deciding on strategies for dealing with obstacles.

TO HELL AND BACK Podcast: interview with Andrea about her life with anorexia and borderline personality disorder. Find podcast on my website (charlieswenson.com) or on ITunes.

Check out latest post on my blog at charlieswenson.com. My cell membrane research 50 y/a has helped me with interdependency. Subscribe

1st DBT intensive for Brooklyn Orthodox community 50 therapists was fabulous. Another will start Feb18. Check: nachasconsulting.com

Just discovered I have followers! Does that make me a leader?