SEPTEMBER 2024 Peer Support Calenda

Student Resource

 

The 6 steps to mastering “negative” emotions...-Karma Gaia

 

The truth is, there are no “negative” emotions because they all serve a purpose. Consider them as signals of action that provide insightful information and give us the ability to make a change. Yes, some emotions are tough, challenging us at our core. But growth requires that we recognize their signals.

To truly master your emotions, follow these 6 steps of emotional mastery:

Step 1: Identify the emotion

The first step is always to identify the negative emotion – or more accurately – the action signal. What kind of feeling is it? annoyance? Sadness? Or are you just hungry? Which feeling do you actually feel? Finding the central feeling will enable you to understand its important lesson.

Step 2: Appreciate & clarify the message

As soon as the emotion has been recognized, give it your whole attention and explain what it is trying to tell you. It basically tells you that something needs to change. Is it necessary for you to modify your behavior, such as your communication style? Or maybe by shifting your perception (i.e., the meaning) of a situation? Use the table in the next section to help clarify both the emotion and its powerful message.

Step 3: Get CURIOUS

Get curious about how you want to feel by asking these four questions:

How do you want to feel?

What would you need to believe to feel that way right now?

What are you willing to do to feel that way now?

What’s great about this situation or what can you learn from it?

Understanding the cause of an issue will help you keep it from happening in the future and realize that every issue is a gift.

Step 4: Get CONFIDENT from past success

Consider a specific instance where you handled a comparable feeling well. How did you overcome it? Feel the confidence pour over you as you relive that moment as a comeback story. Recalling times when you were able to master your emotions gives powerful reassurance that you’ll navigate through this emotion once more.

Step 5: Get CERTAIN about mastering the emotion

By envisioning multiple solutions that assist you in experiencing the desired sensation, you can fortify your mental image of how you will manage this challenging feeling. If one doesn’t work, try another. Rehearse until you feel certain you can deal with the emotion.

Step 6: Feel excited and take ACTION

Take immediate action to demonstrate your ability to control your emotions. In order to modify your feelings and reinforce your practice, it is important to express your emotions in a healthy way.

Remember, you always have a choice when it comes to mastering your emotions and it all begins with the steps you take now.

Heart Rock Sanctuary-in Oakville

I just wanted to share the incredibly amazing experience I had last Monday at the Heart Rock Sanctuary located off of Lakeshore in Oakville-an event run by the phenomenal, very energetic, and extremely positive Claudia thanks to the Women's Centre of Halton.

I was able to be part of a Sound Bath for the 1st time about a year ago-again thanks to the Women's Centre of Halton as a Valentine's Day event held in Milton.  

This was such a magical day.

I am so happy they were able to find Claudia at the Heart Rock Sanctuary to be able to share this experience with us again.  

It is quite the experience to make time for yourself (self care and self love) to escape for an hour; listening to the mesmerizing sounds made by the variety of instruments you see in these pics.  

Claudia comes around to each one of us individually as well throughout this hour.  

For me my favourite sound comes from the rain stick-Claudia had a rain drum if I am explaining that correctly.  

It is to me just the coolest sound to hear.  

It was a huge benefit to have this event as I left feeling calm and at peace; super relaxed which are things that are challenging for me to feel.

Sound Baths are known to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve your sleep quality and increase focus and clarity

It was very peaceful here as you can see in these pictures I took.  

Claudia was exceptional, full of such positive and happy energy. 

 

She is one of a kind and clearly very passionate about what she does.  

I look forward to our next Sound Bath event with Claudia at the Heart Rock Sanctuary!!

If you get the chance to attend one of her events I highly recommend it.

You will not be disappointed!

Here is her ink for more info https://heartrocksanctuary.ca/contact-us

Fundraiser for Capillary Wave-Mental Health Support Group for Men

 Please help Nelson Borges and support this fundraiser in any which way that you can.  

Nelson started this mental health support group for men back in January here in Burlington.  

It is called Capillary Wave and here is the link for more info:

https://capillary-wave-community.org/shop-talks/

As posted on Nelson's FB page:

Very excited to share that we are having our first major fundraiser! 

So go register, bring a kayak, canoe, paddle board, sea doo or boat... we are going to be setting a record that day at Burlington Beach!

If you're not able to participate, you can still donate to a cause that makes an absolute difference to men in our community. 

With immense gratitude, thank you.

To Participate use this link:

https://bit.ly/3ynOuc9

To Donate use this one:

https://bit.ly/3yEHV4Z

Self Esteem-Karma Gaia

 

Improving Self-Esteem

Practice Self-Compassion

The gentle skill of treating oneself with the same tolerance, understanding, and empathy that we show to our friends and family is known as self-compassion. It's about accepting our imperfections, owning up to our errors, and realizing that these are normal aspects of being human.

Practicing self-compassion begins by noticing this internal dialogue and actively working to change it. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would extend to a friend in times of difficulty or disappointment.

Switch out your self-criticism for self-encouragement. Remember that everyone faces difficulties, and no one is exempt from making mistakes. Consider the lessons you can learn and the progress you can make rather than focusing on the bad things.

Set and Achieve Small Goals

Imagine the sense of accomplishment that washes over you when you cross items off your to-do list. Now, make that feeling even stronger by establishing and completing minor objectives that support your larger ones. Establishing and reaching these modest goals not only helps you go forward but also boosts your confidence as you go.

The key to this strategy lies in breaking down larger, often intimidating goals into manageable steps. Suppose your goal is to pick up a new language. Start with a modest objective, such as learning ten new words or practicing for fifteen minutes every day, rather than focusing on becoming proficient right immediately. Reaching these manageable goals gives you a sense of advancement and success that motivates you to carry on.

Embrace Self Improvement

Life is a continuous journey of growth and learning. Embracing self-improvement is not only an essential aspect of personal development but also a powerful way to boost your self-confidence. It takes more than just logging five miles of daily exercise or dentist appointments to improve oneself. It enhances your entire being in addition to your outside look.

When you actively engage in activities that expand your knowledge and skills, you send a clear message to yourself: you believe in your potential to become better, to evolve, and to excel. By practicing self-improvement, you strengthen your belief in your capacity to grow, change, and conquer challenges.

Practice Positive Affirmations

The words we say to ourselves hold a lot of power. Our self-talk shapes our perceptions, influences our actions, and ultimately impacts our self-confidence. Positive self-affirmations are a straightforward yet effective technique that can change your inner monologue and raise your self-esteem in situations like this.

Think of self-affirmations as personalized, uplifting mantras. These are declarations that capture your goals, values, and strong points. Positive self-affirmations are a powerful tool for reprogramming the brain to focus on your worth and ability rather than self-doubt or criticism. Repeating them often can help achieve this.

Surround Yourself With Positive Influence

The people you surround yourself with have a significant impact on your self-confidence and overall well-being. You are inspired, uplifted, and given a nurturing environment that fosters your progress by positive influences. On the other hand, negative or unsupportive individuals can drain your energy, undermine your self-esteem, and impede your progress.

Consider the friends, family members, and colleagues in your life. Do they encourage you to pursue your aspirations and goals? Do they inspire you to take on new tasks and go beyond your comfort zone? Your sense of self-worth can be greatly enhanced by surrounding yourself with positive individuals.

Raise Your Vibrations-Karma Gaia

 

How To Maintain High Vibrations

Why Is Maintaining High Vibrations Important?

In this great symphony of the universe, everything has its own frequency of vibration – from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxy. These vibrations combine to form the world that we live in today. This is where the adage "like attracts like" comes into play: we attract the same energy that we put forth. Our resonance frequencies are what draw people, circumstances, and events into our lives.

This symphony is mostly composed of two kinds of energy: low vibrational energy and high vibrational energy. Love, joy, and compassion are higher vibrating energies that facilitate our connection to our true selves and a higher power. Lower vibrational energies (fear, anger, or negativity) disturb our inner peace and make us feel heavy or detached, which slows our progress on the spiritual path. Conversely, when we are filled with these emotions, we feel inspired or supported by everything around us, which leads to spiritual growth.

How to have high vibrations:

1. Be Mindful of Your Inner State: The first step in maintaining high spiritual vibrations is being mindful of your inner state. This suggests having awareness of one's emotions, ideas, and reactions. It becomes easier for you to recognize that you are being affected by someone else's low vibrations when you are aware of what is going on inside of you. Take a little break during the day to look for yourself. The question "how do I feel at this particular moment?" is one you can pose to yourself. By keeping your feet firmly planted, this easy technique will allow you to navigate interactions without being drawn into lesser energies.

2. Set Boundaries and Detach: Setting healthy boundaries is crucial when dealing with people who have low vibrations. It's acceptable to minimize your interactions with people who deplete you or bring negativity into your life in order to preserve your energy. Being detached is not the same as ceasing to care; rather, it is the opposite of let their energy control your own. Learn how to say no when necessary, and tell yourself that it's acceptable to stand back for your own wellbeing. In this manner, you can continue to vibrate at a greater level without experiencing guilt or overwhelm.

3. Take Care of Yourself: Taking care of yourself is essential to keeping your vibrations high. Engage in energy-replenishing activities such as hiking, meditation, or creative endeavors. It might also be beneficial to eat healthful meals, get enough sleep, and surround oneself with positive people. Think of self-nourishment as filling your cup—you can’t pour from an empty one. Your resilience against lesser vibrations will increase with the amount of emphasis you place on your well-being.

4. Hold Yourself Accountable: While it’s important to recognize the influence of others, it’s equally vital to hold yourself accountable for your own energy. Accept accountability for the ideas, emotions, and behaviors you select. If you notice that you are becoming more negative, accept it without passing judgment and take action to raise your vibration again. This could be looking at things from a different angle, being grateful, or doing something constructive. You give yourself the ability to continue being in tune with the energy you want to live out by holding yourself accountable. Raise your Frequency, Binaural Beats Meditation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpavrcr03gg

DBT TOOLS

 Below is a link to a very useful resources on DBT-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy for people who experience emotions very intensely. 

It’s a common therapy for people with borderline personality disorder, but therapists provide it for other mental health conditions as well.

https://dbt.tools/emotional_regulation/stop.php

STOP Skill

The STOP skill consists of the following sequence: 

Stop, 

Take a step back, 

Observe, 

Proceed mindfully.

Virtual Rec Connect is a virtual Adult Day Program. We support individuals attending or waiting for Adult Day Services. Virtual Rec Connect is a collaboration of the Adult Day Program Providers in the Mississauga Halton Region.

 

Here is the link 

https://www.virtualrecconnect.ca/

We're connecting Mississauga Halton with virtual adult day services and resources.

Virtual Rec Connect is an online recreational program designed to offer therapeutic activities to vulnerable and isolated older adults, as well as individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities who are either on a waitlist for in-person adult day services or are unable to attend in person.

WHO WE ARE

We are a network of 9 organizations that provide recreational and social activities for vulnerable and isolated seniors. 

R

REACH MORE PEOPLE: WIDER COMMUNITY OUTREACH, REACHING THOSE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND PROGRAMMING IN PERSON.

E

EFFICENCIES IN ADULT DAY SERVICES: ADDRESSING STAFFING SHORTAGES.

C

CREATING RICH, DIVERSE AND PERSON-CENTERED PROGRAMMING          THROUGH COLLABORATION AND IDEA SHARING.

Capillary Wave-update-Mental Health Support Group for Men

 Just sharing this post from Nelson Borges...

2 years ago I went through a mental health crisis as some of you know.

It's been a long road to be where I am today. I still have my days, but I'm in a good place.

In January I started a weekly men's support group and it's been heart filling. I've met some awesome guys! We had 5 guys at first meeting, now we have 65 in our group. Not everyone has come out yet but we're trying! My purpose now is to help as many men as I can... even free therapy for those that can't afford it.

With that said, I've started a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide a pit stop crew of resources, services and support to help men get healthier in mind, body and spirit.

The website is live!

www.capillary-wave-community.org

3 favours...

1. If you or someone you know needs help, I'm here.

2. If you can donate, that would be amazing as all dollars go directly to providing programs etc.

3. If you can't, that's totally OK. Donations are not just financial... maybe just share this to your socials (as the kids say)

I want to thank everyone who supported me, friends, family and especially yes, my lady friend. Love you all day.

Acupuncture Points-Karma Gaia

 

 I highly recommend this FREE very detailed and informative course.  

I took this about a year ago and it was phenomenal.  

A very passionate facilitator who is super kind, patient and very compassionate!

CMHA Halton Region Branch

Now open for referrals: 12-week Coping Skills for Change groups. 

Choose from 2 sessions beginning in September. 

Read more and register: https://halton.cmha.ca/groups-workshops-webinars/

Creative Community Hive (art making drop in) -Burlington

 I am sharing this info for the @Creative Community Hive.

We are community art hive collective that host free public pop-up art studios for community members to come socialize and make art together!

You can see more details in the poster below.

Thank you , and hope to see you there!