OMG! I have Election Stress Disorder!

Just when I thought all the years of therapy had finally done their magic, and that I'd be free at last, I discover that my fatigue, nail biting,  cynicism, and catastrophic thoughts about the future aren't related to my crazy family upbringing, but about NOW, 2016 with this psycho election! The fact that I'm glued to the TV set, watching the pundits fight about whose crimes are worse, who's a wuss, who's really a psychothopathic liar, who's fingers should be on the nuclear codes, is not because I'm a glutton for punishment, but all manifestations of my new diagnosis: Election Stress Disorder! AND, to make matters worse, I am apparently in good company with half the planet!

As a psychotherapist always keyed into actionable, positive change attitudes and behaviors, this one really stumps me. How do we all feel more hopeful and impactful when every day new dirt gets dug up on our candidates of "choice," with Russia and Wikileaks playing their hand in events as well? This is a paranoid's wet dream! One candidate is clearly a Neanderthal, the other cast as a disingenuous double talker. And, speaking of double talk, no one ever answers a question directly anymore, but on both sides they all pivot constantly, (meaning: deflect, avoid, spin!) I pity the poor journalists who have to listen to this garbage day in and day out without losing their cool!

Maybe the only hope for all of us with ESD is to remember that nothing lasts forever, that most truths come out in the wash eventually, that Election Day is less than a month away, and that until then, we all can put our fingers on the "Off" button when we've had enough. (Now, gotta go watch the final debate....)

Technology Woes - (or "Wanting to Tear Your Hair Out Now!")

Today hasn't been a good day. Even though I woke up after a full night's sleep in a good mood, had an invigorating workout and a yummy breakfast, the rest of the day so far hasn't been the best. Try this on for size:

• I get an email saying my Eddie Bauer account has likely been hacked - "Look up the last six months of transactions on the card you use, put a fraud alert on all credit bureaus, and sign up for more identity protection!"  That, so far, has taken two hours.
• I get another email from my patient portal saying I have an important message from my doctor's office - "Sign in and read immediately!" (Am I dying, and they didn't tell me in person when I went in for tendonitis? Or maybe that cyst on my arm is leprosy?) I try to be compliant, and after five login attempts I get locked out. (Where did I put that username and password information)? I call several doctor's offices to see who sent me the mysterious message and why, and so far haven't gotten through to any of the offices that might use that portal. The offices I did reach don't use it.
• I go to my site to write an inspiring blogpost and am locked out for some mysterious reason during the first eight login attempts. It must be the "infected files" on the site five different security analysts can't seem to figure out. Now, here I am, mystery still not solved, writing a not-so-inspiring post.
• I try to write my next article for my subscription lists and the aWeber hosting site is upside down and sideways, no buttons working properly until I've made about ten attempts. Finally, I get the article out, realizing it's about two weeks late. Shame on me, I've been having too much fun avoiding the f#ck*#g internet this summer, and now I'm paying for it!

So, gentle reader, if you too have had days like this, know you're not alone if you have also felt like tearing your hair out when it happened. ("happens" is more like it). You experience what we call a "lack of agency," or an inability to intervene effectively on your own behalf. It creates a sense of complete helplessness, and that's not good!                                        

In my case, I can't WAIT to get to "work" to see my clients who have real problems, so I can hopefully have some effect somewhere today!

PS. If you don't do so well with stress, feel free to call me for an appointment at 603-431-7131, and know that I get it...

Grit - Do You Have It? How Do You Score On The Grit Scale?

I've often been described as a "pit bull," especially by my husband. He's not referring to the kind of bite, but the trait of tenacity, thankfully. Friends and family will regularly remark that they don't know what drives my passion and perseverance at my age, especially when so many of them are slowing down. I think they think I'm a little crazy. I think they're onto something, but I like to think of myself as a little obsessive, with happy, episodic "manias." (Case in point: We've been updating our house and land, so I've often found myself edging and mulching garden beds, lifting out huge rocks and hauling cuttings until well into darkness. When I get a "bug in my bonnet" about the preferred new color of a room I'll repaint it three times until it's right. I've been practically living at Home Depot and Homegoods, picking out materials, pillows, and general stuff, all in a driving unstoppable desire to improve the form and function of our house). My husband should be nominated as a CNN Hero, for his enormous patience and support, putting up with what I think is my big supply of Grit.

The dictionary defines grit as "firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck."  People refer to the quality of "grit" as the presence of persistence and passion. It's the "drive" you see in some folks and not others, and often seems to be related to the daily grind around some project or situation. People who demonstrate laziness or "wimpyness" aren't thought of as having much grit.

Angela Duckworth, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, identified a Grit Scale to assess how much of it you may have, and also to identify traits that might predict success. The complete test appears in her bestselling book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance." If you're curious about your own score go to the "Resources" page of my website www.SusanLager.com to take a quick ten question test. With all my own crazy tenacity I wasn't surprised when I scored high on the scale. See what the test may reveal about you!

"Marital Peace After An Affair" - BlogTalk Radio Show Wed. 7/27/16 8:30 PM EDT

In this thirty minute episode I'll co-host with Dr. Laura Louis, author of the popular book, "Marital Peace," which is a valuable resource for supporting couples throughout the challenges of marriage.

Dr. Louis has specialized in helping distant couples heal after infidelity, and in the program discusses some of the ways she recommends rebuilding trust, rekindling intimacy and enhancing communication. Her therapeutic approach has been influenced through trainings in Brazil, Mexico, London and Haiti, as well as hundreds of transformative seminars all over the world.

Don't miss this vital program if you and your spouse have endured or feel at risk for an affair! Learn some key tools to not only help avoid infidelity, but to restore trust, build forgiveness, and promote growth after an affair. You too can achieve marital peace after this traumatic development.

Call in live on Wed., 7/27/16 at 8:30 PM with questions or comments at 877-497-9046.        If you can't make the live show you can listen to the podcast afterward at: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SusanLager

One way or another, I hope you can join us!

Midnight Madness Meditation

I could never sit "Indian Style," so when I spent two weeks in Girl Scout camp at age 9 I felt like a total failure next to all the other little scouts sitting like perfect Yogis around the campfire, inhaling their gooey Smores. Imagine my later dismay whenever I attended a cozy, casual group event, or God forbid, a Yoga class and attempted to achieve a Namaste frame of mind in lotus position! So, sadly to say, my attempts at "regular" meditation haven't been stellar with the posture all convoluted. I also sit in my work as a psychotherapist more than most elders do when they're confined to wheelchairs, so more sitting as a form of meditative practice is generally out.

I relax and even meditate through movement, often focusing on my breath and gait during speed walks, no matter where I am. But the real deal happens when everything is quiet and shut down, my cat and husband are asleep, the horrible news is off, my laptop has been put to bed, the dishwasher is humming, and I'm in the zone making popsicles. I am the newest member of a bizarre club of mostly young Moms who need some peace and quiet, and find it late at night, concocting all sorts of decadent popsicles, then posting them on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. I call them the Midnight Madness Poppers, and I guess I'm one of them, invited, young and tired, Pinterest addicted - or not.  I've decided that even though nobody has nominated me yet, that I have an even more exclusive membership in this club, because anyone can invent delicious pops loaded with gobs of sugar, but mine are healthy, untainted by that sweet poison. 

I've also decided that most anyone can sit in perfect Lotus position, still and silent, noting their breath and invasive thoughts as a path to enlightenment. How many people can go into a total meditative trance at midnight whipping up things with names like "Banana Maple Coconut Rum Pecan" or "Russian Cappucino Walnut Kahlua Chip"?  Huh?

"How Curiosity Can Save Your Marriage" BlogTalk Radio Show Wed. 6/8 8:30 PM EDT

Don't miss this 30 minute episode where I'll be sharing tips from my book "Become Relationship Smart Without a Lifetime of Therapy" about the key role of curiosity as a connector in all meaningful relationships, especially in marriage. For people not familiar with this concept, I'll reveal some key conversation openers demonstrating curiosity and interest in a partner, facilitating empathy, sharing and feeling "seen," a shot in the arm especially for marriages suffering from boredom or disconnection.

To join the live conversation with questions or comments call toll-free 877-497-9046 at 8:30 PM EDT. If you can't make the live show you can listen to the recording afterward at: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SusanLager

One way or another I hope you can join me!

Another Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday, and once again I was astonished at how fast this past year went. Zip! It flew by! Again I've had the dreaded thought that my remaining birthdays may be limited, as I'm now officially tripping off the top of the"middle age" peak. Ugh! Not a good way to think about the passage of time. So, I'm on a mission to reframe aging, so I don't spend the rest of my days playing "Beat the Clock." (If you are gloriously young, you probably have no clue about that reference, as you wouldn't have been born when that show was on TV. Well, hooray for you).

So far, I've decided that one clear antidote to aging with dread is to stop focusing on the outside of things and more on the inside - to not be seduced by appearances, but more cognizant of substance. That way, wrinkles and gravity's effect on bodies, including my own, will be less central, (and horrifying!). So, who cares if your butt is two inches lower now than when you were 25? It's the quality of your mind and heart that protrudes with significance!

One other antidote seems to be less focus on the endlessly undone things in life - the "bucket list" of amazing, challenging, creative, fun or obligatory things remaining untapped or unfinished, and more focus on one's achievements. What accomplishments do you feel proud of? What will you be remembered for? What relationships and experiences have you had that you cherish right now? It's a "glass half full" frame, much less melancholy, more grateful!

While I'm working on my list of antidotes to aging with dread, I did see one affirmation on a birthday card which says it all perfectly: "At this moment in time you are the youngest you will ever be for the rest of your life."  Ah, youth......