mental health and AI #1

AI is taking hold in our society because we don't appreciate each other. 

You see a piece of art, or hear a song. What is your first thought? 

Either "I like this" or "it sucks."

We rarely think of the artist behind the art,

years of honing their craft,

learning and combining different techniques,

looking at our old word in a new way,

having the courage to publicly express themselves, thereby giving us a chance to tell them how much they suck. 

I'm not suggesting we have to like or love artistic creation.

It's ok to have a preference,

but we have to learn how to appreciate something, or someone, even if we don't like it. 

When we lose our ability to appreciate each other, we settle for AI slop created by someone with no more artistic talent than the ability to type "create a painting of flowers in the style of _________."

Looking at something and passing judgement is easy.

Appreciation takes the time and willingness to dig deeper and go beyond our likes and dislikes.

Years ago, I compiled a list of 5 critical traits for good emotional health.

In my humble opinion, appreciation is the most important.

And we need it now more than ever before. 

for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com

 

Rethinking men's issues #19

Men, we cling to two conflicting beliefs.

1. Change sucks.

2. We have to change.

Change sucks! LET'S GOOOOO!!!

 

That is textbook setting yourself up for failure. Of course you aren't finishing the thing that sucks.

Luckily, you don't have to change anything about you. Here's the proof.

Think of something you wish you could change about you.

This should be a quality, like more patient (less angry). 

Open to new ideas (less stuck in your ways).

Assertive (speaking up for yourself).

Willing and able to say no (putting your needs first).

Do you have the thing you want to change about you?

Now think of a time when you were that thing. 

Even if you have to go back to second grade

and it only happened once.

If you look hard enough, you will realize that you already are everything you want to be.

You don't have to change anything. 

Find your best qualities,

and be those things more often.

You already are everything you want to be.

for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com

rethinking men's issues #18

Fifteen years ago, Mark started at the bottom of the company. 

His boss kept giving him bigger and harder jobs.

He'd tell the boss he has never done that and doesn't know what he's doing.

The boss would say, "You can do it. I believe in you." 

Today Mark is still with the company, and the only person higher on the ladder is the boss who pushed him to do more.  

He told me there's nothing he can't do, because 15 years ago, one person believed in him.

And now he believes in himself.

I told Mark he should be a therapist because he gets it. 

Men, strip away all the jargon, the acronyms, the theories and systems, and therapy is about one person listening to you

and believing in you

and encouraging you to be a better version of yourself.

Because when someone else believes in you, 

you eventually start to believe in yourself.

All of mental health is built on a foundation of confidence.

Without it, everything else falls apart. 

Men, you say you don't want therapy or a therapist.

Fine. But ask yourself one question.

Do you want one person in your life who listens to you

and believes in you

and encourages you to be a better version of yourself? 

for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com