Essays

compassion, growth, inspiration, trauma Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD compassion, growth, inspiration, trauma Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD

I'm worried about the therapists but I know they can save themselves

To all the therapists and other invisible front line workers who are deteriorating behind the science, there is another way, a way to fall in love with your work again. There is a way to do our heart’s work without breaking our own heart in the process. There is a way to do sacred, good, hard work that sits with tragedy (not alone with white knuckles) but with and in celebration of all of humanity.

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What You're Missing Right Now (It's A Gorilla): Selective Attention and Celebrating Crisis
Buddhism Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD Buddhism Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD

What You're Missing Right Now (It's A Gorilla): Selective Attention and Celebrating Crisis

TL;DR Zen story to illustrate we categorize events as good or bad but life proves us wrong either way. I lost my voice and used the opportunity to hug a crisis. Sometimes this is when we are most alive. Here’s to the juicy middle space - here’s to stepping back from the frame of a nervous mind to take in all the details.

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How Do I Do This and Will It Be OK? A Psychologist’s Answer.
Inspiration Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD Inspiration Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD

How Do I Do This and Will It Be OK? A Psychologist’s Answer.

TL;DR: We all struggle with self doubt, uncertainty, a hope for reassurance. Those questions have no answers and a million answers. 1. In times of doubt and confusion, find inspiration from the stories of your heroes and their struggles. 2. You don’t need to see the whole path, just the step in front of you. Take that one step. 3. Answer the why? Why would you do this hard thing?

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