Tag: communication

Colonial Psychology- Mad in America

Around the Web, from Psychology Today: “Psychological theory, research and practice have been increasingly criticized for their narrow perspective and biases, many of which are reflective of WEIRD culture (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, democratic [sic]; Henrich et al., 2010). There are alternative approaches to psychology.

In his new book, A New Psychology Based on Community, Equality, and Care of the Earth, Arthur Blume (2020) provides both a critique and an alternative psychology, based on how psychology has been practiced for thousands of years by Indigenous/First Nation communities. Blume contrasts the premises of Indigenous psychology with what he calls colonial psychology.

Colonial Psychology

The field of psychology was founded by White males and continues to be dominated by people who are descendants of White Europeans. Only 0.1% of American Psychological Association membership is American Indian/Alaska Native. From the beginning the field tried to establish itself as a science, but not the kind of science Native Peoples practice.

Blume identifies several perspectives of the ‘colonial’ worldview he considers myths because they are contrary to the longstanding psychologies of Native Peoples.

Blume calls nature ‘creation,’ to ‘grant it the respect it deserves as the entity from which we derive our existences’ (pp. 4-5).

Here are key constructs within the field of ‘colonial’ psychology. Note that it can be difficult to recognize one’s own cultural assumptions unless one is immersed in a contrary culture. Again, these are contrary to Indigenous psychology.

— Creation must be improved.

— The individual self is central.

— Life is compartmentalized.

— Ownership is possible and desirable.

— Time is bounded.

— Existence is hierarchical.“

www.madinamerica.com/2023/03/colonial-psychology-the-psychology-we-all-recognize-darcia-narvez-phd/

Society Judges Moms & this should become extinct

Try offering help, set an example of how to ignore the critical judges of society

In our society, a mother suffers guilt no matter what she does.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

If she’s on top of her kids making sure everything’s okay, she’s called a helicopter mom, and if she lets them run around as she sits on the side talking to a friend, she’s neglectful.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

If she prefers cooking from scratch and organic everything, her kids are “going to go crazy on junk food when they go to someone else’s house.” And if she feeds them donuts and muffins for breakfast some mornings because she’s in a rush or “just because,” then her kids are unhealthy. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣

If she breastfeeds and doesn’t produce enough milk, and her baby isn’t thriving, then she’s a failure. But when she adds formula, she’s more of a failure for not giving her baby all breast milk.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

If she stays home with her kids, she should be working—”how can her family financially keep up?” But if she’s working, she’s met with “they’re only little once.”⁣⁣

⁣⁣

If she hasn’t lost the postpartum weight, “gosh, she let herself go.” But if she did, “wow, she must not eat, spend hours working out, and neglect her children.”⁣⁣

⁣⁣

In a society that knows “everything” and places too many expectations on moms,⁣⁣

If you listen to everyone else,⁣⁣

you’re always going to fall short.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

So, DON’T LISTEN,⁣⁣

and stop feeling bad for your choices.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

Throw those internalized unrealistic expectations away,⁣⁣

and do what’s best for you and your family.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

It’s called “your family” for a reason.⁣⁣

⁣⁣

Besides, if you love your children and try,⁣⁣

you’re a good mom.⁣⁣

⁣✍️: Living FULL

📸: This Mama Doodles

……………………………………………..⁣⁣

My Children’s Book 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺: 𝘈𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘰 is out everywhere: https://amzn.to/317TvVc

Not listening to people / psychiatry – Mad in America

Psychiatry exists in a perpetual state of distrust and disbelief of everything their patients say, including the harmful effects of drugs.

Twww.madinamerica.com/2023/03/about-not-listening-to-people/

Keep ‘em talking ; Listen ( suicide )

I am proud to have listened when folks were suicidal and those folks are vital today for having dodged the urge to die

Viktor Frankl, one of the great psychiatrists of the twentieth century, survived the death camps of Nazi Germany. His little book, Man’s Search for Meaning, is one of those life-changing books that everyone should read.

Frankl once told the story of a woman who called him in the middle of the night to calmly inform him she was about to commit suicide. Frankl kept her on the phone and talked her through her depression, giving her reason after reason to carry on living. Finally she promised she would not take her life, and she kept her word.

When they later met, Frankl asked which reason had persuaded her to live?

“None of them”, she told him.

What then influenced her to go on living, he pressed?

Her answer was simple, it was Frankl’s willingness to listen to her in the middle of the night. A world in which there was someone ready to listen to another’s pain seemed to her a world in which it was worthwhile to live.

Often, it is not the brilliant argument that makes the difference. Sometimes the small act of listening is the greatest gift we can give.

Your circle

YOUR CIRCLE

Your circle should have no edges,

your circle should continuously flow,

as circles do.

Passing energy to one another.

Taking when needed and giving when abundant.

Your circle should want you to win.

Your circle should want to see you shine,

and when you don’t,

your circle should direct the light flow,

a little more your way.

Your circle should have no edges my friend

because circles must be round.

So, smooth out any edges in your circle

and watch that flow

do wonderful things for you all.

Donna Ashworth

From my new book ‘LOVE’ https://amzn.eu/d/1ci8D1N

Art by Tamara Phillips

#friendship #womensupportingwomen #friends #yourcircle #tribe

Greetings

Native Americans

The touching of foreheads is an ancient greeting that honours the heart and soul of another human being.

Amongst the Māori, it is nose to nose, forehead to forehead—called hongi.

The Hawaiians call it honi, and it is practised amongst the Tibetans, and the desert Bedouins in Southern Jordan.

The Inuit and the Scandinavians also do it.

For some, this is how we bless the Beloved Feminine Devine.

Third eye to third eye—sharing sacred breath. This is very honorific as this represents the exchange of ha–the breath of life, and mana–spiritual power between two people.