During the course of the last few days I have spent a good deal of time contemplating the passing of the Lords Prophet. While I have been so engaged my mind has often been drawn back to the memory of three personal experiences with our Prophet, and I thought I would share them.
Not long after I was baptized Elder Hinckley (before he was the President of the church) visited Indiana for a conference. My father being unfamiliar with the area got just a little lost while looking for the parking garage so that we could attend the conference. My mother, as back seat drivers often do, suddenly pointed out a ramp that she thought my father should take. In an attempt to avoid an argument, and I am sure appease a slowly growing sense of frustration, he drove up this ramp. It turned out to be for VIP unloading. As the ramp leveled out we found Elder Hinckley and several of his staff, Bodyguards, or what ever standing out there. My father, realizing that we were not in the parking garage, kept driving as my mother, sister, two brothers and I gawked out the window with the realization that the man we came to listen to was standing about ten feet away from our car.
During the course of my first year of Mission service a general announcement went out that President Hinckley would be coming to Brisbane to visit the local saints. The Brisbane Mission field exploded with excitement. During the course of preparations our Mission president made three decisions that positively impacted me.
The first it was decided that they would bring all the missionaries to Brisbane for this historical event. That was important as at the time I was in Cairns, which was a 36 hour bus drive from Brisbane, and most of us were afraid that due to the cost at transporting us all south and then back north again we not be included.
The second was that a contest was started to encourage baptisms. Simply put, the Zone with the highest number of baptisms would be given the privilege of being President Hinckley’s Honor Guard as he walked from the car to Suncorp Stadium. At the time I was in what was recognized as the youngest and one of the smallest zones in the Mission. All but one of us had been out for less then a year. I know you have likely already figured this out so I will not delay in saying it. The Cairns zone (all ten of us) kicked some tail. On May 15th 1997 I was there when President Hinckley stepped out of his car into a hallway of missionaries. The real cool part is that there was no one else around so the President took time to talk to the missionaries, and shake some of our hands. I lament that I was not one of the missionaries who got to shake hands with the Prophet, (a fact that Elder Gilmore reminded me about every five minutes for the next few days) but that’s ok because I have another claim to fame.
A few weeks before President Hinckley arrived, I received a letter from my Mission President which read, “Dear elder Herrington, I’d like you to lead the music for the congregational singing at the Missionary meeting with President Hinckley.” The letter continues on with specific instructions concerning the music, but it sufficeth me to say that at the ripe old age of nineteen I was given the privilege to lead music song by President Hinckley, his entourage, and two hundred missionaries. In addition I got to stand about Ten feet away from the Prophet while I did so.
As I complete this writing I believe that it is appropriate that I add my own testimony. I know that President Hinckley is a Prophet of God. I know that he is one of the few men on this planet that can truthfully claim that they have met and spoken to Christ. President Hinckley has dedicated the greater portion of his life to the service of our God, and I can only hope that as he has been permitted to return home the Lord may give him a little time off to spend with his wife and other family members who I am sure have been waiting for him. I know that this is the Lords church and as stewardship for it passes from one great man to the next I know that the work of God will continue. God Bless and Amen.
‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Bard, Forester, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapist?
About a week ago I became aware of a very hard truth. My wife has little understanding about what I do for a living. A fact that was punctuated by her comment that she thought the work Piaget did with dogs was fascinating, a statement, which would be similar to one saying “I enjoyed Garth Brook’s fifth symphony”. I must admit that I was impressed that she was aware of Jean Piaget, and Pavlov’s dogs, even if she mixed the two together. I often lament the fact that I never managed to talk her into taking any psychology when we were in school.
While I pondered this realization and what I could do to help my wife understand her husbands chosen career, it dawned on me that there might be many of my friends that do not understand what it is that I do. In fact I once received a letter from a friend that warned me of the dangers they felt were inherent in my chosen profession (of course they only touched the tip of the proverbial Iceberg) and admonished me to make sure I worked from the Lord's corner. (That’s not a direct quote, although I did consider digging out the letter just so that I could provide the exact quote.)
Much of this confusion I am going to blame on modern media. (So many other people blame social problems on the media, why can’t I?) I am often so frustrated with the way psychologists and counselors are portrayed on television that I change the channel when such a relevant scene is depicted. I admit that there is a possibility that there are mental health professionals that act in a manner that is congruent with what we so often see on television, but I am not one of them. Specifically I do not give advice, condone an amoral perspective of the world, fix a person’s entire problem with direct theatrical confrontation and a few wise sounding clichés, or spout platitudes such as “It’s all going to be all right”. I also have very little patience for those who could blame their behavior on genetics, or their upbringing.
I am primarily what many in my profession refer to as a Cognitive Behavioral therapist. (However I still have a lot to learn) Without going into a great amount of confusing detail I will state simply that I believe that an individual can chose what they think about, and what an individual chooses to think about affects the way they feel which in turn affects their behavior. So as corny as it sounds you are what you think about.
As an example if I were working with a client who had the prevailing thought “nobody loves me everybody hates me.” they could expect that they would have feelings of sadness, inadequacy, and rejection. I use this as an example because I believe most of us have met someone like this who we notice tends to behave by avoiding social interactions. In the common tongue we would say they have low self-esteem. To work with such an individual I would need to challenge the thought, even if they have good reason to think that way, and help them replace it with a more useful thought. For example a crude replacement could be, “Fred and George both like me”. (Good old reference for the Brazil branch youth if you were paying attention) Admittedly this is a very simplistic example but I think it helps describe the direction I work from.
I am currently an in-home therapist. Of course my business card says “Therapeutic Support Specialist”. I primarily work with children ages six to eighteen, however I do have a few adults on my caseload. The difficulties that my clients face often vary dramatically from as serious as being victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, to children who have trouble finding acceptance among their peers. I also have an interest in doing some work on the side for LDS Family Services, and will likley do so after I have completed my licensure.
I have found that I have a talent for this line of work. This surprises me as I always saw myself Teaching/writing music, or working in wilderness/wildlife conservation. I have attempted to be brief with the description of my current work, and as such I imagine that I have left many things unexplained. If anyone has a question about what I do feel free to E-mail me, I would be more than happy to provide additional explanation.
While I pondered this realization and what I could do to help my wife understand her husbands chosen career, it dawned on me that there might be many of my friends that do not understand what it is that I do. In fact I once received a letter from a friend that warned me of the dangers they felt were inherent in my chosen profession (of course they only touched the tip of the proverbial Iceberg) and admonished me to make sure I worked from the Lord's corner. (That’s not a direct quote, although I did consider digging out the letter just so that I could provide the exact quote.)
Much of this confusion I am going to blame on modern media. (So many other people blame social problems on the media, why can’t I?) I am often so frustrated with the way psychologists and counselors are portrayed on television that I change the channel when such a relevant scene is depicted. I admit that there is a possibility that there are mental health professionals that act in a manner that is congruent with what we so often see on television, but I am not one of them. Specifically I do not give advice, condone an amoral perspective of the world, fix a person’s entire problem with direct theatrical confrontation and a few wise sounding clichés, or spout platitudes such as “It’s all going to be all right”. I also have very little patience for those who could blame their behavior on genetics, or their upbringing.
I am primarily what many in my profession refer to as a Cognitive Behavioral therapist. (However I still have a lot to learn) Without going into a great amount of confusing detail I will state simply that I believe that an individual can chose what they think about, and what an individual chooses to think about affects the way they feel which in turn affects their behavior. So as corny as it sounds you are what you think about.
As an example if I were working with a client who had the prevailing thought “nobody loves me everybody hates me.” they could expect that they would have feelings of sadness, inadequacy, and rejection. I use this as an example because I believe most of us have met someone like this who we notice tends to behave by avoiding social interactions. In the common tongue we would say they have low self-esteem. To work with such an individual I would need to challenge the thought, even if they have good reason to think that way, and help them replace it with a more useful thought. For example a crude replacement could be, “Fred and George both like me”. (Good old reference for the Brazil branch youth if you were paying attention) Admittedly this is a very simplistic example but I think it helps describe the direction I work from.
I am currently an in-home therapist. Of course my business card says “Therapeutic Support Specialist”. I primarily work with children ages six to eighteen, however I do have a few adults on my caseload. The difficulties that my clients face often vary dramatically from as serious as being victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, to children who have trouble finding acceptance among their peers. I also have an interest in doing some work on the side for LDS Family Services, and will likley do so after I have completed my licensure.
I have found that I have a talent for this line of work. This surprises me as I always saw myself Teaching/writing music, or working in wilderness/wildlife conservation. I have attempted to be brief with the description of my current work, and as such I imagine that I have left many things unexplained. If anyone has a question about what I do feel free to E-mail me, I would be more than happy to provide additional explanation.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Decade at a Glance
During the course of the twenty-four hours I have been working on a post that I would have to say is nothing short of being a work of art. However as a composed this inspirational piece covering the adventures of the previous decade of my life it occurred to me that no one is going to take the time to read something that comprises over two thousand words. The document of which I speak has been printed and added to my Journal. Some day one of my posterity will discover it and revel in the words and history it contains. As for those of you who are reading this blog to learn of my adventures I will keep things short and simple.
12/1996 – 12/1998 Served in the Brisbane Australia mission.
01/1999 – 08/1999 did my best to stay out of trouble.
08/1999 – 12/1999 studied music at Indiana state university while avoiding girls with the claim that I am waiting for a girl to return from Amsterdam. (Carried picture as prop to support this fabrication)
01/2000 - 05/2000 continued to study music, and was finally caught by girl that I had been attempting to avoid the previous year.
06/2000 – 08/2000 worked in a lumberyard to afford an engagement ring for girl who caught me.
08/2000 – 05/2001 Continued music education and worked as an Resident assistant at ISU
05/2001 – 08/2001 Married girl and worked at Cracker Barrel.
08/2001 – 05/2002 Changed Major to Psychology continued to work at Cracker Barrel
08/2002 – 05/2003 Continued to Study Psychology Continued to work at Cracker Barrel
05/2003 – 08/2003 Graduated from ISU with a BS in Psychology and Moved to Kansas City to begin Masters Degree in Counseling.
08/2003 – 05/2004 First year of master’s degree.
06/2004 Laid off from job at Circuit City.
07/2004 First child born, Son, Named him Benjamin.
07/2004 Two days after son was born began work in a Call center for Ferrell Gas.
08/2004 – 08/2006 Promoted to Acting Supervisor after 5 months at Ferrell Gas Continued Masters degree program, Worked at a domestic abuse shelter, missed the first two years of my sons life as I was never home.
08/2006 Graduated with a MA in Mental Health counseling.
04/2007 Laid off from Ferrell Gas. They tried to talk me into staying (I had Seniority) but I had a good feeling about a job I had applied for.
04/2007 One week later interviewed for and was offered a Job working for Healthy Families Counseling and Support
11/2007 Struck by a case of Nostalgia and began work on this blog.
12/1996 – 12/1998 Served in the Brisbane Australia mission.
01/1999 – 08/1999 did my best to stay out of trouble.
08/1999 – 12/1999 studied music at Indiana state university while avoiding girls with the claim that I am waiting for a girl to return from Amsterdam. (Carried picture as prop to support this fabrication)
01/2000 - 05/2000 continued to study music, and was finally caught by girl that I had been attempting to avoid the previous year.
06/2000 – 08/2000 worked in a lumberyard to afford an engagement ring for girl who caught me.
08/2000 – 05/2001 Continued music education and worked as an Resident assistant at ISU
05/2001 – 08/2001 Married girl and worked at Cracker Barrel.
08/2001 – 05/2002 Changed Major to Psychology continued to work at Cracker Barrel
08/2002 – 05/2003 Continued to Study Psychology Continued to work at Cracker Barrel
05/2003 – 08/2003 Graduated from ISU with a BS in Psychology and Moved to Kansas City to begin Masters Degree in Counseling.
08/2003 – 05/2004 First year of master’s degree.
06/2004 Laid off from job at Circuit City.
07/2004 First child born, Son, Named him Benjamin.
07/2004 Two days after son was born began work in a Call center for Ferrell Gas.
08/2004 – 08/2006 Promoted to Acting Supervisor after 5 months at Ferrell Gas Continued Masters degree program, Worked at a domestic abuse shelter, missed the first two years of my sons life as I was never home.
08/2006 Graduated with a MA in Mental Health counseling.
04/2007 Laid off from Ferrell Gas. They tried to talk me into staying (I had Seniority) but I had a good feeling about a job I had applied for.
04/2007 One week later interviewed for and was offered a Job working for Healthy Families Counseling and Support
11/2007 Struck by a case of Nostalgia and began work on this blog.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Renaissance
It never fails, I have a birthday and I wax melodramatic for about a week. Of course those who know me would point out that I am always melodramatic. So here I am feeling melodramatic and doing something completely out of my normal character. Thus I write my first blog entry, so that I can pretend to be an author (of a sort) believing that someone other then my mother would care about my deep thoughts and meditations. I can almost picture two close friends of mine rolling their eyes, saying one to another, “Here we go again.”
During the course of the last ten years I have lost contact with many whose friendship I once valued. I have been pondering different ways that I may be able to reestablish contact with those whom I have drifted away from. While I sat in my study one day thinking great thoughts I received E-mail from one such friend. Contained within this letter of electronic medium I learned of her newly established family blog. I was pleasantly surprised to see not only her face, but also the faces of her husband and children whom I have no memory of ever meeting. I must admit that I have suffered from no small measure of cognitive dissonance as my memory of a girl conflicted with the image of a woman depicted in these digitized photographs.
From there my vastly inflated ego took over, and I reasoned that if these simple photographs could bring me so much pleasure, surly all of my previous acquaintances would be overjoyed to read my excessive rambling and view photographs of my quaint little family.
It is therefore my intent to write a brief summery of my adventures over the course of the last ten years. Perhaps there will even be a few willing to read the written words of this aspiring windbag.
During the course of the last ten years I have lost contact with many whose friendship I once valued. I have been pondering different ways that I may be able to reestablish contact with those whom I have drifted away from. While I sat in my study one day thinking great thoughts I received E-mail from one such friend. Contained within this letter of electronic medium I learned of her newly established family blog. I was pleasantly surprised to see not only her face, but also the faces of her husband and children whom I have no memory of ever meeting. I must admit that I have suffered from no small measure of cognitive dissonance as my memory of a girl conflicted with the image of a woman depicted in these digitized photographs.
From there my vastly inflated ego took over, and I reasoned that if these simple photographs could bring me so much pleasure, surly all of my previous acquaintances would be overjoyed to read my excessive rambling and view photographs of my quaint little family.
It is therefore my intent to write a brief summery of my adventures over the course of the last ten years. Perhaps there will even be a few willing to read the written words of this aspiring windbag.
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