Saturday, April 9, 2011

Therapy 101- Communication Problem? :)

A husband and wife came for counseling after 15 years of marriage. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the 15 years they had been married. She went on and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, and entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured over the course of their marriage. Finally, after allowing this to go on for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and, after asking the wife to stand, embraced and kissed her passionately as her husband watched with a raised eyebrow. The woman shut up and quietly sat down as though in a daze. The therapist turned to the husband and said, "This is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do this?" The husband thought for a moment and replied, "Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish."

Monday, April 4, 2011

I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found!

Greetings! It's been a long time since I've written and I can't even begin to explain the roller coaster ride I've been on. Since I've started the Master's program, I've cried more than I have in a long time. Sometimes because of subject matter, sometimes because in the process of self awareness you find that you aren't exactly the person you want to be, and always because of the intense pressure. I have felt like there isn't enough of me to go around and my life has become so one sided(school). It's been a process of intensive study, intensive self evaluation and a time of total reliance on the Lord to get me through. And it has been a time of extreme painful growth for me. I have prayed to be able to become the person the Lord wants me to be so I can be an instrument in His hands as I continue on in my field of study. Sometimes the answers are very painful to hear when you think you are doing the best you can and the answer is that I can do more. Working smarter hasn't always been my forte', but I'm getting there. Last semester was a time of drowning from my point of view. A time for "Ulcer's Are Us". I didn't know if I was going to make it, but I survived. This semester is just as intensive if not more so. We have clients at the clinic and are learning at a feverish pace to prepare for our internships at the end of this month. But I have a different attitude this semester and it has made all the difference. I was given a blessing by my wonderful home teacher before the semester began, and I have referred to it over an over. It has been a guide map in helping me get through the emotional, physical, and spiritual experiences that I have had. It is another tender mercy of the Lord to let me know that He is here and aware of what I am going through. And more important, He is here to help me get though it. There are several things that I'm not sure of the route I'm to take, but I know that it is the timing of the Lord that is important and I need to be patient.(Wow, for those of you who know the Nielsen clan, you know that's NOT our forte?!):) I am headed up to Addiction Resource Center for Healing(ARCH) in South Jordon to do my internship starting the last week in April. They do all kinds of therapy for individuals, couples, families, addictions of all kinds, court ordered psycho-educational groups, etc. I'm very excited about working there over the Spring and Summer. I'm very blessed and so grateful for the love and support of my family! I haven't been able to be around much as a mom and grandma. I'm trying the best I can, but I am so blessed to have such a great support system. I'm so proud of Cory and Elisha, Kelly and Jen, Chris and Jamie, Jake and Megan, and Mike and Jessica and their families! And I appreciate having the CUTEST grandchildren in the world! (I do NOT ever exaggerate!) :) I also am so grateful for the love and support of wonderful people who have been put in my life to make it so much richer and fuller and that I have learned a great deal from. Thank-you! Not trying to make this a testimony meeting on paper, but I am so grateful for everything I have been blessed with and sorry for the times I have been so overwhelmed I have temporarily forgotten this. Lot's of fun things to look forward to in the future and wishing you all a happy day! Love to you all! Thought for the Day: You don't have to be crazy to work here. We'll train you! :)

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Reflections

A lot has happened since Nov.5th, the date of my last blog. Obviously I have survived, but it has been a little rough. Some high and low lights are the following:


  1. Brooklyn was baptised and it was wonderful! I love you and am so proud of you Brooklyn!

  2. Kelly and Megan's birthday=Tacanno's (not sure of spelling) Yea!

  3. Best friend, Kolleen and I, overnight in Park City for our birthdays! You're the best Kolleen!

  4. Transiberian Orchestra on the 18th! It was fabulous! A must see for the holidays!

  5. Annual Red Lobster Christmas dinner with adult children. Saw Plaid Tidings afterwards. As usual we all had a blast! I love you guys!

  6. Ken took me up to Salt Lake to go on my "perfect date." We were going to see the Joseph Smith movie at the Memorial building, then go up to the Sky Room for dinner, then on a carriage ride, and then walk around and see the lights. So----does anyone remember the day that there was an accident on the freeway and it shut it down? Well that was the day of my perfect date and we ended up in the standstill for 3 hours and 15 minutes! We had left in plenty of time and ended up getting there just in time for dinner at 5:30. It was still a wonderful time.

  7. Dr Stone (dermatologist) called and said he wanted me to see a specialist because a biopsy of my bottom eyelid showed a cancer that needed to be taken care of asap.

  8. Saw Dr. Cook and wanted to do surgery the next week but I had finals. Had surgery done on Dec.20th. Dr Peterson took out the cancer and then went over to surgery center and Dr Cook reconstructed my bottom eyelid. They feel they got it all. Took the stitches out on Dec.29th. I looked like a before and after picture because I couldn't wear make up on my left eye. Awesome! :) It wasn't pretty!:)

  9. Finals week was the 13th through 17th. That also wasn't pretty! :)

  10. Christmas was pretty quiet since it wasn't my turn to have all the kids. We did all get together( except for Mike and Jess who were in Salt Lake)on Christmas night and had a great time!

  11. Went to Kaylee's 1st birthday on the 31st. What a doll!

That takes me to the end of the year. In between all of those things were assignments due, tests to take and study for, papers to write----all the things that go with school. All I can say is INTENSE! I'm grateful for all of the students that are in my MSW cohort and how wonderful they are! They are so helpful and supportive! I am very blessed!

Happy day and I shall update what has happened since the first of the year soon!

Thought for the day: Storms make trees have deeper roots.