I'm grateful for all my problems. As each of them was overcome,
I became stronger and more able to meet those yet to come. I
grew on my difficulties.
J.C. Penney
The above "penny" for your thoughts observation seems to neatly sum up the issue of perseverance. We`are all faced with problems aka challenges in today's lexicon. Our real challenge is to persevere and persist with patience until we have successfully resolved the issue.
Most importantly, it never hurts to try. It never hurts to ask, question or present your point of view--sometimes more than once. Even if you fail to accomplish your goal, at least you have the satisfaction of having tried and pursued all possibilities. That, in itself, is "winning" no matter the outcome. That alone is a prideful result!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
THE EVOLUTION OF PERSEVERANCE
That which we pursue changes over time. I clearly remember persevering with my spelling lists in elementary school as well as my multiplication tables. Truth be known I never persevered when it came to geography or geometry. As for penmanship- faggetaboutit! Sometimes perseverance can be selective. As we get older the less we can afford those degrees of freedom.
Clearly, that which we pursue with vigor and persistence changes as we go along. It is amazing how fast we go from our spelling lists to our kids to our grand kids. School, which can feel so daunting as we go, can feel like life-lite as we look over our shoulder and compare it to our adult responsibilities.
Yet, I believe there is a common theme. The origins are laid down early in our lives, but keep coming at us in one form or another. Our goals are to survive in a prideful way, trying to accomplish enough to sustain ourselves. Survival of the fittest applies as much to spelling tests as to work demands as to family/relationship demands. Life hurls obstacles at us and the old game of dodge ball keeps us on our toes. The balls keep changing, but avoiding getting hit remains the goal.
Even as older people we need to persevere or we won't become even older.Just ask my Mom. She is 98+ and has been persevering all her life. Her claim to fame is that she bounces back. That's perseverance in action. Take a lesson from her playbook. NEVER, NEVER NEVER GIVE UP--No Matter what! She would say, "Go slow,but go slowly forward."
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Clearly, that which we pursue with vigor and persistence changes as we go along. It is amazing how fast we go from our spelling lists to our kids to our grand kids. School, which can feel so daunting as we go, can feel like life-lite as we look over our shoulder and compare it to our adult responsibilities.
Yet, I believe there is a common theme. The origins are laid down early in our lives, but keep coming at us in one form or another. Our goals are to survive in a prideful way, trying to accomplish enough to sustain ourselves. Survival of the fittest applies as much to spelling tests as to work demands as to family/relationship demands. Life hurls obstacles at us and the old game of dodge ball keeps us on our toes. The balls keep changing, but avoiding getting hit remains the goal.
Even as older people we need to persevere or we won't become even older.Just ask my Mom. She is 98+ and has been persevering all her life. Her claim to fame is that she bounces back. That's perseverance in action. Take a lesson from her playbook. NEVER, NEVER NEVER GIVE UP--No Matter what! She would say, "Go slow,but go slowly forward."
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
PERSEVERANCE AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
One of the many areas of our lives that requires perseverance is that which deals with counseling and psychotherapy. Much as we would like it to be a "quick and clean" process of modification and change, the truth is that it goes painfully slow.
It goes much quicker today than when I first went through it in the 70's. My anxiety and panic took 4+ years of 3 times a week psychoanalysis to yield. Today we can typically name that tune in once weekly therapy over a 6-9 month course. That math I call progress.
Yet, in today's "fast paced" world that math can still seem painfully slow. I recently commented about how slow an extra couple of seconds on our computers can feel. Can you imagine 6+ months of talk, talk, talk and not much action? No wonder so many people drop out in utter frustration. Yet, when they do,they do themselves an injustice. Time doesn't heal all wounds. Effort usually does! That requires perseverance.
There is no magic in my office, nor in my colleague's. Those that promise that are typically more self-serving than not.If it worked "magically" we would all be practicing that special technique.
Truth be known, like life, therapy is a process. Each meeting silently builds on the previous until it pushes a person away from the edge and into healthier space where choice replaces habit and rationality replaces distortions.
I encourage you to engage and stay with it. Many of the people I have helped and I are living proof that perseverance pays dividends when it comes to resolving mental health issues......and most issues for that matter!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 465 1371 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
It goes much quicker today than when I first went through it in the 70's. My anxiety and panic took 4+ years of 3 times a week psychoanalysis to yield. Today we can typically name that tune in once weekly therapy over a 6-9 month course. That math I call progress.
Yet, in today's "fast paced" world that math can still seem painfully slow. I recently commented about how slow an extra couple of seconds on our computers can feel. Can you imagine 6+ months of talk, talk, talk and not much action? No wonder so many people drop out in utter frustration. Yet, when they do,they do themselves an injustice. Time doesn't heal all wounds. Effort usually does! That requires perseverance.
There is no magic in my office, nor in my colleague's. Those that promise that are typically more self-serving than not.If it worked "magically" we would all be practicing that special technique.
Truth be known, like life, therapy is a process. Each meeting silently builds on the previous until it pushes a person away from the edge and into healthier space where choice replaces habit and rationality replaces distortions.
I encourage you to engage and stay with it. Many of the people I have helped and I are living proof that perseverance pays dividends when it comes to resolving mental health issues......and most issues for that matter!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 465 1371 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
PERSEVERANCE REQUIRES PATIENCE
Having just completed a mission of more than a year I realize that the title of this blog is undeniably true. My goal was to right an injustice. To accomplish that I spent hours writing letters to state my case and and trying to find someone willing to help my cause. Ultimately I did. Much as I was frustrated along the way I kept myself going with the belief that someday I would see a positive result. I had no assurance of that,but an optimistic,yet realistic anticipation. That is, in fact, the very same view I bring to this blog.
In your battles with the powers that be, I encourage you to adopt that same stance and persevere in whatever way you can. The same advice is being offered to those looking for a job, trying to refinance their mortgage and generally struggling to cope with the economy. The same is offered to anyone facing health problems or any other problems for that matter. Today's world, more than in the past, requires a patient and persistent approach to getting things resolved.
I hope you are as successful as I have recently been. Beyond the resolution there is also much pride in a mission finally accomplished.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
In your battles with the powers that be, I encourage you to adopt that same stance and persevere in whatever way you can. The same advice is being offered to those looking for a job, trying to refinance their mortgage and generally struggling to cope with the economy. The same is offered to anyone facing health problems or any other problems for that matter. Today's world, more than in the past, requires a patient and persistent approach to getting things resolved.
I hope you are as successful as I have recently been. Beyond the resolution there is also much pride in a mission finally accomplished.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
Monday, July 27, 2009
WE SHALL OVERCOME, SOMEDAY!
Back in the late 60's this song inspired us to believe and to persevere against a war we felt needed to end. In the end we won.
The same is true today, although the war issue is a little different. We are engaged in combat, sad to say, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Time will tell whether that was necessary or not.
Yet, there is another war going on right within our own borders. This war is about major corporations trying their best to figure out ways to take advantage of us. They are very good at it. They tell half truths and "faidray a kasha" (confuse a story) in ways intended to increase their bottom line at your and my expense. At least once a week I am battling something that doesn't make sense or add up. Realistic optomism needs to face this unfortunate truth and respond accordingly.
My Rx for us all is perseverance. Eventually--not always but often-- justice is served. It takes time and patience. We cannot go hastily to anger as that solves nothing. The people on the phone are not responsible--they are merely cogs in the machinery of bait and switch, evasion and avoidance of truth. To yell at them is to "gey shri gevolt" (go scream at Gd). It hurts your cause rather than helping it.
Slowly, but surely, patiently and rationally, you can overcome the forces-diablolical as they may be-- that try to outwit you. Little by little you can erode from their elaborate defenses and prevail. Much as they try to wear you down, ultimately you can do that to them and overcome, someday down the road.
More on this and related war stories, the rest of this week.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
The same is true today, although the war issue is a little different. We are engaged in combat, sad to say, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Time will tell whether that was necessary or not.
Yet, there is another war going on right within our own borders. This war is about major corporations trying their best to figure out ways to take advantage of us. They are very good at it. They tell half truths and "faidray a kasha" (confuse a story) in ways intended to increase their bottom line at your and my expense. At least once a week I am battling something that doesn't make sense or add up. Realistic optomism needs to face this unfortunate truth and respond accordingly.
My Rx for us all is perseverance. Eventually--not always but often-- justice is served. It takes time and patience. We cannot go hastily to anger as that solves nothing. The people on the phone are not responsible--they are merely cogs in the machinery of bait and switch, evasion and avoidance of truth. To yell at them is to "gey shri gevolt" (go scream at Gd). It hurts your cause rather than helping it.
Slowly, but surely, patiently and rationally, you can overcome the forces-diablolical as they may be-- that try to outwit you. Little by little you can erode from their elaborate defenses and prevail. Much as they try to wear you down, ultimately you can do that to them and overcome, someday down the road.
More on this and related war stories, the rest of this week.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Friday, July 24, 2009
WORDS WORTH READING
PERSISTENCE IS SELF-DISCIPLINE IN ACTION.
Good Stuff
____________
COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH -- AND SADDLING UP ANYWAY.
John Wayne
____________
YOU CAN OBSERVE A LOT JUST BY WATCHING.
Yogi Berra
____________
IT'S NOT THAT I'M SO SMART,IT'S JUST THAT I STAY WITH PROBLEMS LONGER.
Albert Einstein
Good Stuff
____________
COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH -- AND SADDLING UP ANYWAY.
John Wayne
____________
YOU CAN OBSERVE A LOT JUST BY WATCHING.
Yogi Berra
____________
IT'S NOT THAT I'M SO SMART,IT'S JUST THAT I STAY WITH PROBLEMS LONGER.
Albert Einstein
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A WALK IN THE PARK: PART V
This morning,7/20/09), I went to give the leader of Stroller Strides a card with my blog on it so she could read the one I wrote about her group. I was a little later than usual and the group had finished. There was one Mom left putting her stroller into the back of her car in the parking lot which was otherwise deserted. She probably had done some extra exercise after class.
I walked in her direction intending to give her the card and asking her to give it to the leader at the next meeting. I suddenly veered away. I thought to myself, it could frighten her that an old sweaty,unshaven stranger would come right up to her. She might fear I was about to attack or steal her child or who knows what. I walked on and she was unaware of my simple,nonthreatening intent.
The experience caused me to reflect upon the fear factor that has entered our world. I would not have hesitated ten years ago. The media has helped raise our anxieties, even though most crime has decreased. I don't think it is only crime. I think it is a result of a post 9/11 world in which our safety has been compromised in many different ways. Several years ago I came to the conclusion that, "It is not paranoid to be paranoid anymore."
I guess I just anticipated this young mother's paranoia and walked on by. Not to mention she was in butt kicking shape and I didn't want her to flatten me before I got to say, "Please give this to your leader!" Us guys have to be careful too--especially when it comes to the stroller striders.
Maybe the moral of this story is we all need to take things more in--you guessed it-- STRIDE!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
I walked in her direction intending to give her the card and asking her to give it to the leader at the next meeting. I suddenly veered away. I thought to myself, it could frighten her that an old sweaty,unshaven stranger would come right up to her. She might fear I was about to attack or steal her child or who knows what. I walked on and she was unaware of my simple,nonthreatening intent.
The experience caused me to reflect upon the fear factor that has entered our world. I would not have hesitated ten years ago. The media has helped raise our anxieties, even though most crime has decreased. I don't think it is only crime. I think it is a result of a post 9/11 world in which our safety has been compromised in many different ways. Several years ago I came to the conclusion that, "It is not paranoid to be paranoid anymore."
I guess I just anticipated this young mother's paranoia and walked on by. Not to mention she was in butt kicking shape and I didn't want her to flatten me before I got to say, "Please give this to your leader!" Us guys have to be careful too--especially when it comes to the stroller striders.
Maybe the moral of this story is we all need to take things more in--you guessed it-- STRIDE!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A WALK IN THE PARK:PART IV
I gave up my quest to modify my directional walking behavior for a while. In the scheme of things it wasn't a big deal. It was more a chuckle on being a rigid nuckle-head.
A few months later I tried again. I had better-not great-but better success. Little by little I kept working at it. In time, it became so desensitized that I could walk comfortably in either direction. I LOL when my wife joined me and I suggested we go "the other" way. She could not do it and quickly complained everything seemed different in an uncomfortable way. She made us turn around and go "the right way." Birds of a feather "walk" together.
Perseverance is the key to modifying one's behavior. The old, "if at first you don't..." is undeniably true. Eventually, we can change any aspect of ourselves that lies within our control. My little experiment in the park just shows how difficult it can be, even on an insignificant issue like the direction in which one walks.
The good news is that now I can go in any direction. I can go one way for one lap and the other way for the other. I can even change the route completely and zig zag my way along. I am now free to move about any which way I want. It has become my choice and that is always a good feeling-even on something as silly as the direction in which I walk. Now if I could only lose 10 pounds...I am working on it...by walking in the park among other things.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
A few months later I tried again. I had better-not great-but better success. Little by little I kept working at it. In time, it became so desensitized that I could walk comfortably in either direction. I LOL when my wife joined me and I suggested we go "the other" way. She could not do it and quickly complained everything seemed different in an uncomfortable way. She made us turn around and go "the right way." Birds of a feather "walk" together.
Perseverance is the key to modifying one's behavior. The old, "if at first you don't..." is undeniably true. Eventually, we can change any aspect of ourselves that lies within our control. My little experiment in the park just shows how difficult it can be, even on an insignificant issue like the direction in which one walks.
The good news is that now I can go in any direction. I can go one way for one lap and the other way for the other. I can even change the route completely and zig zag my way along. I am now free to move about any which way I want. It has become my choice and that is always a good feeling-even on something as silly as the direction in which I walk. Now if I could only lose 10 pounds...I am working on it...by walking in the park among other things.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A WALK IN THE PARK:PART III
A few years ago I was thinking about the process of changing and modifying our behavior. I decided to do a simple experiment.
I walk along a winding oval that goes around the perimeter of the park for a tad less than a mile. I always went in the same direction which would be going to the right from the parking lot. Obviously,the same could be accomplished by going to the left. People go in both in directions.
I decided to change and go from the left. Truth be told I could not do it. Changing the direction of my walk changed my perspective so that just about everything looked different to me. I got about a quarter of the way, stopped and turned around and went my usual way--creature of habit that I am!
I was amazed that such a minor behavior change could be so difficult for me. It put in perspective just how difficult changing much more ingrained habits like our diet or drinking alcohol or taking drugs could be. Similarly, changing our thinking habits that contribute to anxiety, depression, etc. can be daunting compared to the direction one walks in the park.
The key to any change or behavioral modification is perseverance. More on this tomorrow.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
I walk along a winding oval that goes around the perimeter of the park for a tad less than a mile. I always went in the same direction which would be going to the right from the parking lot. Obviously,the same could be accomplished by going to the left. People go in both in directions.
I decided to change and go from the left. Truth be told I could not do it. Changing the direction of my walk changed my perspective so that just about everything looked different to me. I got about a quarter of the way, stopped and turned around and went my usual way--creature of habit that I am!
I was amazed that such a minor behavior change could be so difficult for me. It put in perspective just how difficult changing much more ingrained habits like our diet or drinking alcohol or taking drugs could be. Similarly, changing our thinking habits that contribute to anxiety, depression, etc. can be daunting compared to the direction one walks in the park.
The key to any change or behavioral modification is perseverance. More on this tomorrow.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Monday, July 20, 2009
A WALK IN THE PARK:PART II
Wednesday morning as I walked in the park I came upon 12 women running while pushing a stroller in front of them. Then they did exercises while singing kid songs to their toddlers. Their leader--part drill sergeant,part compassionate companion-- also had a stroller with a child onboard. They were part of an exercise class called Stroller Strides. I loved the idea. Here's why:
Moms exercising while being Moms is healthy.
Moms are role-modeling health for their young.
Moms are socializing with other Moms.
There is a support net potential that goes
beyond the exercise class and can lead to lunch,
phone calls, help questions,etc.
Moms are outdoors as are their children.
Moms are balancing their parental and personal
responsibilities.
I applaud them and this wonderful,simple,constructive and healthy program. It is a win-win-win for all involved and a lesson for us all.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Moms exercising while being Moms is healthy.
Moms are role-modeling health for their young.
Moms are socializing with other Moms.
There is a support net potential that goes
beyond the exercise class and can lead to lunch,
phone calls, help questions,etc.
Moms are outdoors as are their children.
Moms are balancing their parental and personal
responsibilities.
I applaud them and this wonderful,simple,constructive and healthy program. It is a win-win-win for all involved and a lesson for us all.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Friday, July 17, 2009
A WALK IN THE PARK
I like to start my day with a walk in the park near my home. Nature awakens my senses in a gentle and calming way. I like the sound of the wild green parrots, the waddle of the baby ducks following their mother, the darting motion of the frightened squirrels and the slow, gentle stroke of the turtles in the water.
People are all around walking, jogging, bicycling, playing sports, etc. but they are in the background, while the fauna and flora stand tall and dominant-a relaxing shade of green.
Yes, it is hot and sweaty, even at 9AM, but there is nothing wrong with a little sweat. The shower after tingles my skin while refreshing it in a relaxing way.
I enourage you to move around the planet if you don't already and continue if you do. The many advantages-physical and emotional- are hard to deny and the best thing about it is that it doesn't cost anything, but your time and effort.
More about this Monday.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
People are all around walking, jogging, bicycling, playing sports, etc. but they are in the background, while the fauna and flora stand tall and dominant-a relaxing shade of green.
Yes, it is hot and sweaty, even at 9AM, but there is nothing wrong with a little sweat. The shower after tingles my skin while refreshing it in a relaxing way.
I enourage you to move around the planet if you don't already and continue if you do. The many advantages-physical and emotional- are hard to deny and the best thing about it is that it doesn't cost anything, but your time and effort.
More about this Monday.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Thursday, July 16, 2009
THE GOVERNOR'S BALLS: Part II
The day Governor Palin announced her resignation I said to my wife, "If she is elected President in 2012 I'm moving to Bordeaux, France." She said, "OK, I'm voting for her." Clearly, she was endorsing our move to France, not Palin's presidency.
Her bid for VP was more like a reality TV show than a well correographed political race. What was he thinking or drinking when he brought her out of obscurity and into absurdity? I guess he still wonders if he might have won with a different choice. I think the answer is Yes!
There is a definite ballsy part to her decision. She believes she can convince us that leaving her job prematurely and surrounded by scandal will merit entrusting her at the helm of our country. It is even more so, given her ability to fracture the English language on par with our former Republican President. Consider the following quote form the Sun Sentinel:
President Obama is growing government outrageously,and it's immoral
and it's uneconomic,his plan that he tries to sell America.
Frankly, I don't think that sentence would pass a 6th grade FCAT exam.
Eight years of international humiliation and cringing with every news conference were enough. Every late night comedian will vote for her as she represents a treasure trove of monologue's yet to be written. And I am sure the folks at Saturday Night Live will have her double on their first night back saying, "Only dead fish go with the flow,"etc.
My hope is that she is just going for the gold and not the Presidency. Let her be well, earn royalties and fish as much as she wants. Or come vist us in Bordeaux.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Her bid for VP was more like a reality TV show than a well correographed political race. What was he thinking or drinking when he brought her out of obscurity and into absurdity? I guess he still wonders if he might have won with a different choice. I think the answer is Yes!
There is a definite ballsy part to her decision. She believes she can convince us that leaving her job prematurely and surrounded by scandal will merit entrusting her at the helm of our country. It is even more so, given her ability to fracture the English language on par with our former Republican President. Consider the following quote form the Sun Sentinel:
President Obama is growing government outrageously,and it's immoral
and it's uneconomic,his plan that he tries to sell America.
Frankly, I don't think that sentence would pass a 6th grade FCAT exam.
Eight years of international humiliation and cringing with every news conference were enough. Every late night comedian will vote for her as she represents a treasure trove of monologue's yet to be written. And I am sure the folks at Saturday Night Live will have her double on their first night back saying, "Only dead fish go with the flow,"etc.
My hope is that she is just going for the gold and not the Presidency. Let her be well, earn royalties and fish as much as she wants. Or come vist us in Bordeaux.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
CHOOSING HEALTHY
Today I watched my master bathroom of 25+ years being demolished. It took a day to tear it apart and bring it down to its core. It will take three weeks or more to rebuild it. Right now it looks awful, but soon it will look fresh and updated.
The same is true with people. We can self-destruct in a flash and take quite a while to rebuild. There are no blueprints for us, but several healthy choices with regard to our self-development.
It is positive to tear down an old structure for the sake of renewal. It is not so positive to tear ourselves down before we rebuild. Better we should avoid any self-destructive tear downs and continue to rebuild ourselves as we go. As I have previously said, maturity is not something we ever reach, but keep reaching for as part of our personal growth.
Glop tempts us toward self-destructive ends. Avoid it via self-control, discipline and having a vision beyond the moment.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
The same is true with people. We can self-destruct in a flash and take quite a while to rebuild. There are no blueprints for us, but several healthy choices with regard to our self-development.
It is positive to tear down an old structure for the sake of renewal. It is not so positive to tear ourselves down before we rebuild. Better we should avoid any self-destructive tear downs and continue to rebuild ourselves as we go. As I have previously said, maturity is not something we ever reach, but keep reaching for as part of our personal growth.
Glop tempts us toward self-destructive ends. Avoid it via self-control, discipline and having a vision beyond the moment.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TIME OUT FOR TRANQUILITY
Friday night or maybe it was Thursday, the Yahoo system was down and I couldn't check my email. I said, "YAHOO!"
Every once in a while we need a break from the routine. Recently, I have been on a kick to not be a ROBOT and unlike Sarah P, just go with the flow. Perhaps I'd rather be a dead fish( her words) than a ROBOT! Actually, I'd rather be an alive fish who is just trying to swim a different, more sensible route. Wish I could say the same about her.
More about that Thursday in The Governor's Balls, Part II.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Every once in a while we need a break from the routine. Recently, I have been on a kick to not be a ROBOT and unlike Sarah P, just go with the flow. Perhaps I'd rather be a dead fish( her words) than a ROBOT! Actually, I'd rather be an alive fish who is just trying to swim a different, more sensible route. Wish I could say the same about her.
More about that Thursday in The Governor's Balls, Part II.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Monday, July 13, 2009
IN THE LONG RUN
Ultimately, being a kind, caring, honorable and boundered person is being good to your SELF as well as to others! Don't believe me? Just ask those who haven't been! There are many--too many--to survey.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Friday, July 10, 2009
WORDS WORTH HEARING
Happiness is in the heart,not in the circumstances.
Anonymous
You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.
Michael Pritchard
There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen.
Hugh Prather
Everything worthwhile, everything of any value,has a price. The price is effort.
Loretta Young
Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -- you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.
Eddie Cantor
All from Good Stuff magazine
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Anonymous
You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.
Michael Pritchard
There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen.
Hugh Prather
Everything worthwhile, everything of any value,has a price. The price is effort.
Loretta Young
Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -- you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.
Eddie Cantor
All from Good Stuff magazine
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A REALLY SHORT, BUT IMPORTANT MESSAGE!
Have a really good day in every way.
Don't let anyone or anything get you down! Be optomistic and content. Seek peace of mind.
Our Tranquility Center inPlantation offers that. Call for a complimentary appointment.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Don't let anyone or anything get you down! Be optomistic and content. Seek peace of mind.
Our Tranquility Center inPlantation offers that. Call for a complimentary appointment.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
THE GOVERNOR'S BALLS
Recently, I said we need to look away from the cultural smog. What I failed to say is that sometimes we can learn from it. Two brillant men,on the A list for Presidential material in 2012, shot themselves in the you know where.
To get to be a Governor one must be strategic, intelligent, hard working and savvy in a street/politico way. They have to have high IQ's and EQ's(emotional IQ's). Yet, in these instances, Spitzer and Sanford, were DUMB and DUMBER ( not even sure which is which-perhaps they were dumber and dumber!). This is why my former professor, Mortimer Feinberg, Ph.D. ( who had such a positive influence on my life) wrote a book many years ago entitled, "Why Smart People Do Dumb Things." Maybe it is "Stupid Things" --I can't recall right now, but it doesn't really matter. He had several answers to the question he posed, but the strongest was a sense of HUBRIS, defined as feeling one is beyond consequences due to a inflated sense of self-importance. Think musical genius, sports heroes, actors and actresses and others in the camera light of the Papparazzi.
Logic would suggest it would be the opposite. If I am in your face and you are in my lens, one would think virtue would be the better part of valor.It doesn't seem to work that way. Insecurities and addictive potentials seem to live in the hearts of very successful, highly intelligent people. I am willing to bet (a small sum as I am not much of a gambler) that had I been the life coach of one of these people or if they had one with any capabilities whatsoever, there would have been a good chance to alter the course of history and prevent such self-destruction, familial and communal hurt and shame.
Therefore, I am offering myself to any famous person as a antihubris coach to protect your balls or the female equivilent. Perhaps I can be a jock to the jocks or a shame and blame blocker for the politicians or an alter ego to the actors,muscians and other talented people destined for screaming headlines, rehab, jail and the like. Call me. I will help you to use your large brain to overcome that little one that pushes you over the proverbial cliff in too many directions.
By the way, the same applies ot us less important folk. It is very important that we play and stay within the rules.We need to learn from the big guys and gals not to step on ourselves. When glop rules (see previous blogs,but glop is anything that tempts you into unhealthy and self-defeating behaviors) you put yourself in danger and can hurt many others along the way. Taking care of you is a full time job. Be the very best CEO of your SELF and you will reap the dividends in multiple ways.
As for the big kahunnas out there feel free to call...the little kahunnas too! I help protect all sizes! I am an equal opportunity implorer! As the sign all over IBM when I worked there said, "THINK!" That really says it all.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
To get to be a Governor one must be strategic, intelligent, hard working and savvy in a street/politico way. They have to have high IQ's and EQ's(emotional IQ's). Yet, in these instances, Spitzer and Sanford, were DUMB and DUMBER ( not even sure which is which-perhaps they were dumber and dumber!). This is why my former professor, Mortimer Feinberg, Ph.D. ( who had such a positive influence on my life) wrote a book many years ago entitled, "Why Smart People Do Dumb Things." Maybe it is "Stupid Things" --I can't recall right now, but it doesn't really matter. He had several answers to the question he posed, but the strongest was a sense of HUBRIS, defined as feeling one is beyond consequences due to a inflated sense of self-importance. Think musical genius, sports heroes, actors and actresses and others in the camera light of the Papparazzi.
Logic would suggest it would be the opposite. If I am in your face and you are in my lens, one would think virtue would be the better part of valor.It doesn't seem to work that way. Insecurities and addictive potentials seem to live in the hearts of very successful, highly intelligent people. I am willing to bet (a small sum as I am not much of a gambler) that had I been the life coach of one of these people or if they had one with any capabilities whatsoever, there would have been a good chance to alter the course of history and prevent such self-destruction, familial and communal hurt and shame.
Therefore, I am offering myself to any famous person as a antihubris coach to protect your balls or the female equivilent. Perhaps I can be a jock to the jocks or a shame and blame blocker for the politicians or an alter ego to the actors,muscians and other talented people destined for screaming headlines, rehab, jail and the like. Call me. I will help you to use your large brain to overcome that little one that pushes you over the proverbial cliff in too many directions.
By the way, the same applies ot us less important folk. It is very important that we play and stay within the rules.We need to learn from the big guys and gals not to step on ourselves. When glop rules (see previous blogs,but glop is anything that tempts you into unhealthy and self-defeating behaviors) you put yourself in danger and can hurt many others along the way. Taking care of you is a full time job. Be the very best CEO of your SELF and you will reap the dividends in multiple ways.
As for the big kahunnas out there feel free to call...the little kahunnas too! I help protect all sizes! I am an equal opportunity implorer! As the sign all over IBM when I worked there said, "THINK!" That really says it all.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
"SOMETIMES"
As was pointed out to me recently by a very bright young woman,sometimes, sometimes is the most important word in a sentence. Without it ideas can be exxagerated. Look at the fundemental difference between, "People are selfish and greedy." and Sometimes, people are selfish and greedy." Yet, sometimes we are seduced into making "glittering generalities" that overstate and then negate the very case we are trying to make.
The same is true and even more hurtful in couple conflicts. Sometimes, in my office, I hear a partner speaking to another and saying, "You always do ....." or You never do ......" To which the other person responds by saying, "But, what about this time or that instance..." Watch out for, "You always waste money on stupid stuff," or the equivilent. Remember the word sometimes. It really comes in handy all of the time! Well, maybe that overstates the case -- at least some of the time. No, actually most of the time,but never all of the time. I think I made my point! I always do -- at least some of the time. Sometimes, I even get silly which is a good thing -- sometimes.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
The same is true and even more hurtful in couple conflicts. Sometimes, in my office, I hear a partner speaking to another and saying, "You always do ....." or You never do ......" To which the other person responds by saying, "But, what about this time or that instance..." Watch out for, "You always waste money on stupid stuff," or the equivilent. Remember the word sometimes. It really comes in handy all of the time! Well, maybe that overstates the case -- at least some of the time. No, actually most of the time,but never all of the time. I think I made my point! I always do -- at least some of the time. Sometimes, I even get silly which is a good thing -- sometimes.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Monday, July 6, 2009
CULTURAL CONFUSIONS
I read a brief article about Michael Jackson that blamed part of his problems on the culture "we" have created. I don't know about you, but I haven't created a culture--this one or any one for that matter. Perhaps I have tried to create a culture within my family that pretty much encouraged a Protestant ethic of hard work,honorable behavior and frequent travel,the latter perhaps being more a Jewish ethic. I don't exactly know how we got to this point in our history, but I know for sure I didn't bring us here. I doubt you did either.
So there are two questions. One is who creates our cultural norms. The other is what about them influenced MJ in hurtful ways. I will try to offer my answers in future blogs,but I hope the readers will offer their views and comments as well.
As for our culture,like most things it has its positives and its negatives. It has grown in my time in so many ways. While part of me longs for the simpler,user friendly times of the 50's,I do appreciate the comforts of today. These range from not having to use white out to correct my many typos for this blog to medical innovations that would have spared my father's life at 49 to the availability of information. Let's not forget that we went from no vision of racial equality to coming so much closer to it today. To sum it up the Holocaust,in my opinion, could not have reached the magnitude it did in today's tech times. Information, at times overkill and annoying,is the basis for creating democracies,which is really the basis for a civillized culture.
OK. So I know you will start thinking dirty politicans, human greed, reality TV,the pervasiveness of drugs and a host of other toxic pollutant's create a culture of smog.For your own sake and sanity I encourage you not to dwell on those. Rather enjoy the privledges our culture offers, even during tough and challenging times, and feel grateful for what you have. Try, as well, not to buy into the temptations of that glopful smog.
I understand that many have lost much and for that I feel sad and sorry. You still have the power to preserve your dignity while restoring your solvency and I sincerely hope that is what you will do. It is that very grit and determination that our ancestors drew upon to build this great nation. I believe those same potentials still exist within the fabric of our culture. Maintaining ourselves is all about focusing on the positives,drawing strength and motivation from them and realizing how fortunate we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
So there are two questions. One is who creates our cultural norms. The other is what about them influenced MJ in hurtful ways. I will try to offer my answers in future blogs,but I hope the readers will offer their views and comments as well.
As for our culture,like most things it has its positives and its negatives. It has grown in my time in so many ways. While part of me longs for the simpler,user friendly times of the 50's,I do appreciate the comforts of today. These range from not having to use white out to correct my many typos for this blog to medical innovations that would have spared my father's life at 49 to the availability of information. Let's not forget that we went from no vision of racial equality to coming so much closer to it today. To sum it up the Holocaust,in my opinion, could not have reached the magnitude it did in today's tech times. Information, at times overkill and annoying,is the basis for creating democracies,which is really the basis for a civillized culture.
OK. So I know you will start thinking dirty politicans, human greed, reality TV,the pervasiveness of drugs and a host of other toxic pollutant's create a culture of smog.For your own sake and sanity I encourage you not to dwell on those. Rather enjoy the privledges our culture offers, even during tough and challenging times, and feel grateful for what you have. Try, as well, not to buy into the temptations of that glopful smog.
I understand that many have lost much and for that I feel sad and sorry. You still have the power to preserve your dignity while restoring your solvency and I sincerely hope that is what you will do. It is that very grit and determination that our ancestors drew upon to build this great nation. I believe those same potentials still exist within the fabric of our culture. Maintaining ourselves is all about focusing on the positives,drawing strength and motivation from them and realizing how fortunate we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Friday, July 3, 2009
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Tomorrow is July 4th.
Where are the flags that flew for months after 9/11? Where is the spirit that that tragedy sparked? Though the flags are not flown, I hope and believe our spirit is still there.
Despite taking some serious hits, like Rocky, America the beautiful stands tall. We are a symbol of so much to so many.
Let us all feel proud tomorrow of our great nation and all that it represents. God bless America. God bless us all!
Have a safe 4th and enjoy the day in every way you can. As I have previously said, you just never know what's coming around the corner!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Where are the flags that flew for months after 9/11? Where is the spirit that that tragedy sparked? Though the flags are not flown, I hope and believe our spirit is still there.
Despite taking some serious hits, like Rocky, America the beautiful stands tall. We are a symbol of so much to so many.
Let us all feel proud tomorrow of our great nation and all that it represents. God bless America. God bless us all!
Have a safe 4th and enjoy the day in every way you can. As I have previously said, you just never know what's coming around the corner!
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Thursday, July 2, 2009
MEDIA MADNESS
I believe and feel you will agree that we are being manipulated by the media. They draw us in by overkill,hype and hysteria too much of the time. Less than 24 hours after MJ died we were subject to constant TMI in a less than respectful way.
This iconic figure,pockmarked as he might have been, deserved more respect and silence about the state of his finances, who would get his children, how many drugs at what doses he might have imbibed and all the rest. At least I waited 6 days before I put my 2cents in. His family deserved just a little more consideration as well. While we are on this subject, the South Flordia surgeon might have reread HIPPA rules. Dead people do have rights--one of them being confidentiality!
I fully understand that those in the public eye are targets for the media. Can't they wait a while before going through every dirty linen in the hamper? Are there no rules, ethics or honor on slow playing a bad hand compassionately? Must we, time and time again, go for the kill, even when the person just died?
It is no different with any sensational headline. I am already prepared for the, "The Hurricane is coming...It is coming directly at Bill Penzer's house and will destroy everything as the waters go over the levees....(even though there are no levees near my house)and you must take cover right now as this is a MONSTER storm of grave proportion...that at the last minute by-passed Florida and is heading right for New Orleans or New Jersey and will inflict untold damage in the 10's of millions...although it just went out to sea and petered out and.... There is another storm just identified that is on the coast of Africa and slated to be here in about a week as a category 5. We interupt this program to bring you a Hurricane Alert................Give me a break!
The antidote is the same as to bring the price of popcorn down in your local movie theater. Don't buy into it. Don't watch and they won't tell. Don't buy and they won't overcharge any more. The more we stand up in silent protest, the more they will hear us and respond. I guarantee it.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
This iconic figure,pockmarked as he might have been, deserved more respect and silence about the state of his finances, who would get his children, how many drugs at what doses he might have imbibed and all the rest. At least I waited 6 days before I put my 2cents in. His family deserved just a little more consideration as well. While we are on this subject, the South Flordia surgeon might have reread HIPPA rules. Dead people do have rights--one of them being confidentiality!
I fully understand that those in the public eye are targets for the media. Can't they wait a while before going through every dirty linen in the hamper? Are there no rules, ethics or honor on slow playing a bad hand compassionately? Must we, time and time again, go for the kill, even when the person just died?
It is no different with any sensational headline. I am already prepared for the, "The Hurricane is coming...It is coming directly at Bill Penzer's house and will destroy everything as the waters go over the levees....(even though there are no levees near my house)and you must take cover right now as this is a MONSTER storm of grave proportion...that at the last minute by-passed Florida and is heading right for New Orleans or New Jersey and will inflict untold damage in the 10's of millions...although it just went out to sea and petered out and.... There is another storm just identified that is on the coast of Africa and slated to be here in about a week as a category 5. We interupt this program to bring you a Hurricane Alert................Give me a break!
The antidote is the same as to bring the price of popcorn down in your local movie theater. Don't buy into it. Don't watch and they won't tell. Don't buy and they won't overcharge any more. The more we stand up in silent protest, the more they will hear us and respond. I guarantee it.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
check 3/17 blog to know our goals
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
THE KING IS DEAD--- ONCE AGAIN!
Thursday night I watched the MJ obits shows and was reminded of Elvis' premature farewell many years ago. Kings works so hard to get to the top and then some can so easily fall off the mountain with lightening speed. Perhaps most mortals were never meant to be kings.
Michael J was a creative man whose behavior charts like a zig-zagging stock market ticker. His stock soared and sank back and forth, up and down. After the last trial he seemed to almost disappear from view.
So did his racial heritage. He went from an adorable black child to a handsome black young adult and adult to a ghostly looking almost white, but not quite Thriller,Chiller alien. Whatever were you thinking, Michael?
We never got to know you beyond your musical genius, but the real question is did you know yourself? Did, "The Man in The Mirror," ever look into one, literally or figuratively? Behind your gentle,soft spoken child-like voice lay a most complicated human being who did, who knows what, repeatedly. What did the masks really say about you? Neverland aptly describes your journey--never quite making sense and never quite landing tall.
So what can we learn from you? Perhaps that losing one's childhood early forces one to keep trying to hold onto it,especially under abusive conditions. Perhaps that as we see time and time again, success and wealth can breed hubris, which in turn, breeds humiliation and destruction of one's core. Finally, that sometimes there is a certain insatiability to creative genius which ultimately destroys those very achievements and turns mammoth pride bank deposits into chronic shame and blame entries.
Clearly MJ, your music will live on as will your iconic legend. So will the cloudy haze of an unevolved life, comingled with an inner discontent, lack of self-acceptance and who knows what else. It is Elvis all over again, sad to say. You even married a Presley for a short while as if to tie your yolk to his.
May you rest in the peace you never seemed to find in your life, even on your own personal ferris wheel or even in your own bed.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
see 3/17 blog to know our goals
Michael J was a creative man whose behavior charts like a zig-zagging stock market ticker. His stock soared and sank back and forth, up and down. After the last trial he seemed to almost disappear from view.
So did his racial heritage. He went from an adorable black child to a handsome black young adult and adult to a ghostly looking almost white, but not quite Thriller,Chiller alien. Whatever were you thinking, Michael?
We never got to know you beyond your musical genius, but the real question is did you know yourself? Did, "The Man in The Mirror," ever look into one, literally or figuratively? Behind your gentle,soft spoken child-like voice lay a most complicated human being who did, who knows what, repeatedly. What did the masks really say about you? Neverland aptly describes your journey--never quite making sense and never quite landing tall.
So what can we learn from you? Perhaps that losing one's childhood early forces one to keep trying to hold onto it,especially under abusive conditions. Perhaps that as we see time and time again, success and wealth can breed hubris, which in turn, breeds humiliation and destruction of one's core. Finally, that sometimes there is a certain insatiability to creative genius which ultimately destroys those very achievements and turns mammoth pride bank deposits into chronic shame and blame entries.
Clearly MJ, your music will live on as will your iconic legend. So will the cloudy haze of an unevolved life, comingled with an inner discontent, lack of self-acceptance and who knows what else. It is Elvis all over again, sad to say. You even married a Presley for a short while as if to tie your yolk to his.
May you rest in the peace you never seemed to find in your life, even on your own personal ferris wheel or even in your own bed.
Bye For Now,
Bill
www.williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 1
561 361 1898 x 1
see 3/17 blog to know our goals
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