A Place

"Think of a place you have not seen in awhile or a place you have been admiring to see.  Now plan for it."  ~by Dr. Monée N. Merriweather

In This Moment

"Now is the moment that matters most because in this moment can be the purposeful creation of that next moment."  ~by Dr. Monée N. Merriweather

Memories

"Memories were once our today now living in our yesterday that mostly derived from our moments of choice."        ~by Dr. Monée N. Merriweather

Being Mindful

"When you think you can go no further, be mindful that giving up is only a thought and not an only option."
~by Dr. Monée N. Merriweather

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.  ~Aristotle Onassis

Through the Years!

A Mother's Love...

I am not the world's greatest mother, but I know that I am the best mom I can be to my children.  I love them with all of my heart.  When they hurt, it kills me inside and when they are happy, I can't help but glow.
                                                                                                                           ~Anonymous

Dear Mother,

For over five decades, your heart has been by my side and even when I was distracted with my own life. And it wasn't until I had my own daughter that I realized that your heart never left me, not for a second, not for a moment, not ever...

Your daughter,
Monée 

Test Anxiety & Americans with Disabilities Act

Statistics now show, more than any other time in our history, many students have begun to exhibit test anxiety characteristics because of increased emphasis on national wide high-stakes testing. A client recently phoned my private practice in hopes of seeking relief from his debilitating test-taking anxiety by receiving an extension of time with the approval of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. He was attending a community college with hopes of becoming a doctor in his field. During my assessment, it was discovered that he had been experiencing severe test-taking anxiety since the age of five where he would cry, scream and urinate on himself. However, when his concerned mother decided to home-school him in 1st grade, for a total of eight years, she had no idea that her son had been experiencing test anxiety. My client shared, "When I entered high school and in the 9th grade, I constantly felt like I had the flu and then recently I realized this severe anxiety happened right before test-taking and without fail." The client added, "This semester, at three o'clock in the morning, I was throwing up all night and for four hours straight before an exam." With my client having had no other anxieties associated with his personal or professional life, I had given him a mental health diagnosis of Specific Phobia, (300.29), Severe, Situational Type. Test anxiety is most often defined as a situation-specific anxiety trait with emotionality and worry as its major components. In the terminology of the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), test anxiety is a specific phobia, situational type. In the case of my client, the situation was test-taking. So then, in lieu of my clients relevant history and diagnosis, it was clear that he possessed a test-taking disability where he was significantly limited in realizing his full potential within the realm of his formal education, a major life activity. Additionally, once test anxiety is determined, the remediation of its debilitating effects can begin. The treatment for test-taking anxiety in a traditional school setting includes the modification of time, test setting and test presentation and the teaching of test-taking and study skills. In the case of my client, whose study habits were exemplary, I requested on his behalf, a modification of time (double-time), a modified test setting environment and for the duration of his formal education. Traditionally, there is a higher percentage of test anxiety among females as apposed to males; however, regardless of gender, if you are dealing with test anxiety, you are not alone and help is available. Licensed professionals are available to assess, diagnose and treat this treatable condition with the possibility of the writing of a professional letter to better help for a more promising educational future!"

Jesse James & Infidelity

Jesse James allegedly settled his 2006 - 2007 sexual harassment lawsuit for seven hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Many would say that that was a high price to pay for an unfaithful marital act, but to someone of great wealth and fame, settling such a case out of court is better than airing one's dirty laundry. But no matter who you are or where you come from, exposed infidelity can be a devastating and humiliating situation for everyone involved. Infidelity is not a new concept and has been around since the beginning of time and actually serves a purpose for the individual who strays from home. Not to make excuses for the one committing such an act, but it takes two to create a relationship that can include the good, the bad and the ugly. Relational signs that can possibly lead to infidelity are emotional detachment, relational boredom and a stressful home environment. Take a moment to take inventory of your relationship, then make a sincere effort to communicate with your partner and most of all, take responsibility for your part in the relationship. Even if your relational issues seem too challenging to face, find the courage to face them, find the courage to stand up for you, for your partner and for your family's future!