As you have read in some of my previous blogs, I had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). The most difficult consequence of it for me has been bouts of deep depression. Today I want to tell you about a tool I have found that seems to have releived me of this dibilitating condition. My episodes were not often , but were, on a number of occasions, life threatening.
In March of 2008, I came across a company called "Centerpoint Research Institute". They have a program that can help people by using meditation for healing and personal growth. After reading about them and researching them a bit, I sent for the free sample kit of their CDs. I was impressed with the technology, but more impressed by the effect listening to the CD's had on me. So in July 2008 I bought Level One of their "Awakening" program. This level consists of 5 CD's that contain 3 different levels of meditations. The first two are 30 minutes long each and were great for me in that I did not get bored like I did when trying to meditate without them. The third is used as you sleep and repeats the 30 minute affirmations message you custom design for yourself. I am now on Level 2.
The Director of Centerpointe, Bill Harris, has been studying the brain, how it works, and how specific types of sound affect the growth of new neurons in the cortex. He created the 'HOLOSYNC' program in 1989, and it is now used by nearly a million people in over 193 countries. There is way too much research and studies to list, much less tell you about the potential effects here. I can say, however, that the differences and growth for me have been significant. Since I began using the program, I have not had even one bout of serious depression, even when the usual triggers were there and strong. I have had a few days of mild "everything is not perfect", but no obvious Depression days. This is great growth for me.
The second big thing I particularly like about the program is the inclusion of subliminal personal affirmations into the meditation. I recorded a series of positive messages for 5 areas of my life that I want to change and improve. These are recorded into the meditation. I have seen significant growth in 4 of the 5 areas since I have been using the program. I now understand how he can give you a guarentee.
I like this program and found it to be very helpful and best of all it is easy. Understand, you do not have to have some serious thing you need to fix to use this program. Its all about growth. This program works for me. Take a few minutes and look into it.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Holosync
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A New Year and A New Book
2009 was an interesting year. Enough said. I am sooo looking forward to this New Year.
I am still active with the Red Cross. We were blessed with no natural disasters (hurricanes, tornados, etc.), but did have to open a shelter for residents of an apartment house that burned. I will not be going to Haiti to work shelters there because one must be certified by the International Red Cross for that, and I am only certified for national events.
The TBI group I am involved with sang Christmas Carols at the hospital where we meet last month and will meet this week. I look forward to taking a larger roll in the group this year.
As soon as some issues are finished from last year I will reopen the book store, Busters Books. I have discovered a new book that I am excited about and want to offer it to you all.
"A Better Man" is a series of interviews and essays by and of some of the most respected men in America. Its design is to aid boys and young men on their transition to become honorable, successful men. I was channel surfing the other day and stumbled on a program where the editor, Kelly H. Johnson, was leading a discussion with some of the men who are included in the book. I immediately went to the phone and ordered it from the publisher, Brandylane Publishers in Richmond, Virginia.
Having spent 30 years working with high school students, I am very aware of the need for better source of materials to help young men and ladies make the transition for kids to responsible, fulfilled adults. These men share the steps and experiences that lead them to become the heros and leaders they are. I strongly recommend this book and suggest it as a gift for any young man in your life, or even for yourself. I am glad I bought it, and I am learning from it.
I am including the web address of Brandylane Publishers here so you can buy the book directly from them. Its that good.
Cut and paste this address in your web browser .
http://www.brandylanepublishers.com
'Til next time, Bob
I am still active with the Red Cross. We were blessed with no natural disasters (hurricanes, tornados, etc.), but did have to open a shelter for residents of an apartment house that burned. I will not be going to Haiti to work shelters there because one must be certified by the International Red Cross for that, and I am only certified for national events.
The TBI group I am involved with sang Christmas Carols at the hospital where we meet last month and will meet this week. I look forward to taking a larger roll in the group this year.
As soon as some issues are finished from last year I will reopen the book store, Busters Books. I have discovered a new book that I am excited about and want to offer it to you all.
"A Better Man" is a series of interviews and essays by and of some of the most respected men in America. Its design is to aid boys and young men on their transition to become honorable, successful men. I was channel surfing the other day and stumbled on a program where the editor, Kelly H. Johnson, was leading a discussion with some of the men who are included in the book. I immediately went to the phone and ordered it from the publisher, Brandylane Publishers in Richmond, Virginia.
Having spent 30 years working with high school students, I am very aware of the need for better source of materials to help young men and ladies make the transition for kids to responsible, fulfilled adults. These men share the steps and experiences that lead them to become the heros and leaders they are. I strongly recommend this book and suggest it as a gift for any young man in your life, or even for yourself. I am glad I bought it, and I am learning from it.
I am including the web address of Brandylane Publishers here so you can buy the book directly from them. Its that good.
Cut and paste this address in your web browser .
http://www.brandylanepublishers.com
'Til next time, Bob
Monday, May 4, 2009
My Life with TBI
My Life with Traumatic Brain Injury, ‘TBI’
By Bob Lindstrom
And some insights that may help others
I became aware of the term “TBI” a little more than a year ago, as I was reading an article in “American Legion” magazine, about the GI’s in Iraq coming back with brain injuries. And that it affects as many as 70% of the ones who come back injured. They have a big task ahead of them as they not only adjust to life back here but they also have a huge task learning about the changes they will deal with as they adjust to their “new” brain.
As I read the article I became aware that the head injury I received in 1961 is now called Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I was in Germany, in the ARMY, and I fell asleep at the wheel in my car and wrecked it. The MGA flipped and since the top was down, both my passenger and I were thrown out of the car, which landed on its top in a field. Bob was ejected into the newly plowed field and received only a scratch on his forehead. I was thrown onto the pavement and landed on the left side of my head. Some friends of ours were behind us, returning from guard duty at one of our outposts, and came upon us very shortly after the crash. They found us and gave us aid and took us to the base where we were transported to the hospital. Bob, was released immediately from the hospital and was fine. Bob told me that after the crash I came and found him in the field and asked if he was all right and when he assured me he was fine, I collapsed next to him in the field. That's where I was when our friends arrived and I was unconscious. I was out for about 13 hours, and suffered concussion and a fractured skull, according to the doctor who attended me. I stayed in the hospital for several days, I’m not sure how many. That was in February and I was not allowed to work for a month or so because of the nature of our work.
In April, three friends and I took leave and went to Italy for 3 weeks and I was still in a semi fog. Then when we were heading from Venice to Florence we were going over a mountain and all of a sudden there was a pop in my head and everything seemed to clear up. I figured that I was totally healed and was fine from then on, or at least that’s what I thought.
I was released from the ARMY the following August and returned home to the ‘States’. I began college and noticed I was having some problems with my math class, and emotional problems that I couldn’t see any reason for. I dropped out of school and got a job but the ‘problems’ became some severe depressions and I began to do some very heavy drinking. At one point I attempted suicide but through a fluke was rescued. So, I moved back home and got another job.
A while later I went to another college and again pursued a degree in math and physics. I could not do the work! What was wrong? I had been great at math and science , making straight ‘A’s in all those courses in high school. In the ARMY I was a Spec 5, working in a very technical field. Why couldn’t I comprehend what was going on in the classes at the university? That led me back to the road of heavy drinking and depression. I thought I was a failure and, indeed, I flunked out of college.
I went back to work and eventually got better jobs but kept drinking. I never missed work and ended up with a large corporation as a salesman and was very successful, making the 100% Club 3 years running. Then it all collapsed. I left the company and finally got some temporary work to cover my expenses. Also during this time I had two failed marriages.
It had been about eleven years since I had gotten out of the ARMY and I decided to give college another try. I went to the local community college and got some testing and counseling. There we discovered that I truly was not suited to be a physics major and that I might do well in psychology. When I told him about my success in those fields in the past he and I decided we might check it out. I was able to get the results of some testing I had done in high school and we were able to document the changes. Since we knew that the left side of the brain is involved in the kind of work required by logical analysis required for math and physics we surmised that maybe that might be related to the problem
I knew by then that many companies didn’t really care what your degree is in, they only want to to see that you had one. Since they had reinstated the GI Bill for us, I could afford collage with a part time job, so I went for it as a Psychology major. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology, in 1975 and a Master of Education degree in Counseling in 1976
By overloading my schedule, I completed my Bachelor's degree in 3 years and my Master’s 15 months later. And here is the best part. while working on my Master’s Degree and doing research for a paper a friend my mine and I later published, I discovered an article about injuries to the left side of the head. I made a copy of it and took it to my Dad, who verified that it applied directly to me. The article pointed out the personality changes that brian injuries often cause and with left brain injuries how you may lose some abilities, like doing logical operations, like math and physics. I later confirmed this with my twin sister and she agreed that the personality change was obvious right away. The loss of the abilities weren’t obvious and everyone thought I probably wasn’t really working hard enough.
That was the first major break through for me. That was in 1976. I went on to become a teacher, working the last half of my career with kids who were expelled or sent to special schools by the legal system. I retired from teaching in November, 2006.
The article in the American Legion Magazine brought all this to light again and gave me more information. The young men and women returning with brain injuries have a great deal to learn about the changes they will be going through. My injury was relatively minor compared to many of them. But the effect on my life, as I lived through those 11 years, was huge.
Now, I understand that my trauma may not have been as severe as theirs and many have additional injuries. But regardless of the degree of the injury some good can be found. They must be in the present and be aware that the world is full of opportunities. For me the good news is that after I gained some insight into what was at work ( or wasn’t ) in my brain and my life, I can look back and feel very good about the changes that happened. I have had a very rewarding career and was able to positively change some lives as a teacher, counselor, and mentor. I regret nothing that happened to me because, as it closed some doors in my life, it opened others that have been wonderful.
I have reached a point where I believe that the accident, wasn’t bad for me, but just changed my direction. It was a purposeful incident that changed the direction of my life, and directed me to become the educator, counselor, and giver that I have become. And it is presently guiding me to be involved in working with people with TBI, and become an entrepreneur who is creating a foundation that will provide educational opportunities for people who would not normally have them available.
Later I will add some recent discoveries I made about this injury.
Bob Lindstrom, 3/4/09
By Bob Lindstrom
And some insights that may help others
I became aware of the term “TBI” a little more than a year ago, as I was reading an article in “American Legion” magazine, about the GI’s in Iraq coming back with brain injuries. And that it affects as many as 70% of the ones who come back injured. They have a big task ahead of them as they not only adjust to life back here but they also have a huge task learning about the changes they will deal with as they adjust to their “new” brain.
As I read the article I became aware that the head injury I received in 1961 is now called Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I was in Germany, in the ARMY, and I fell asleep at the wheel in my car and wrecked it. The MGA flipped and since the top was down, both my passenger and I were thrown out of the car, which landed on its top in a field. Bob was ejected into the newly plowed field and received only a scratch on his forehead. I was thrown onto the pavement and landed on the left side of my head. Some friends of ours were behind us, returning from guard duty at one of our outposts, and came upon us very shortly after the crash. They found us and gave us aid and took us to the base where we were transported to the hospital. Bob, was released immediately from the hospital and was fine. Bob told me that after the crash I came and found him in the field and asked if he was all right and when he assured me he was fine, I collapsed next to him in the field. That's where I was when our friends arrived and I was unconscious. I was out for about 13 hours, and suffered concussion and a fractured skull, according to the doctor who attended me. I stayed in the hospital for several days, I’m not sure how many. That was in February and I was not allowed to work for a month or so because of the nature of our work.
In April, three friends and I took leave and went to Italy for 3 weeks and I was still in a semi fog. Then when we were heading from Venice to Florence we were going over a mountain and all of a sudden there was a pop in my head and everything seemed to clear up. I figured that I was totally healed and was fine from then on, or at least that’s what I thought.
I was released from the ARMY the following August and returned home to the ‘States’. I began college and noticed I was having some problems with my math class, and emotional problems that I couldn’t see any reason for. I dropped out of school and got a job but the ‘problems’ became some severe depressions and I began to do some very heavy drinking. At one point I attempted suicide but through a fluke was rescued. So, I moved back home and got another job.
A while later I went to another college and again pursued a degree in math and physics. I could not do the work! What was wrong? I had been great at math and science , making straight ‘A’s in all those courses in high school. In the ARMY I was a Spec 5, working in a very technical field. Why couldn’t I comprehend what was going on in the classes at the university? That led me back to the road of heavy drinking and depression. I thought I was a failure and, indeed, I flunked out of college.
I went back to work and eventually got better jobs but kept drinking. I never missed work and ended up with a large corporation as a salesman and was very successful, making the 100% Club 3 years running. Then it all collapsed. I left the company and finally got some temporary work to cover my expenses. Also during this time I had two failed marriages.
It had been about eleven years since I had gotten out of the ARMY and I decided to give college another try. I went to the local community college and got some testing and counseling. There we discovered that I truly was not suited to be a physics major and that I might do well in psychology. When I told him about my success in those fields in the past he and I decided we might check it out. I was able to get the results of some testing I had done in high school and we were able to document the changes. Since we knew that the left side of the brain is involved in the kind of work required by logical analysis required for math and physics we surmised that maybe that might be related to the problem
I knew by then that many companies didn’t really care what your degree is in, they only want to to see that you had one. Since they had reinstated the GI Bill for us, I could afford collage with a part time job, so I went for it as a Psychology major. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology, in 1975 and a Master of Education degree in Counseling in 1976
By overloading my schedule, I completed my Bachelor's degree in 3 years and my Master’s 15 months later. And here is the best part. while working on my Master’s Degree and doing research for a paper a friend my mine and I later published, I discovered an article about injuries to the left side of the head. I made a copy of it and took it to my Dad, who verified that it applied directly to me. The article pointed out the personality changes that brian injuries often cause and with left brain injuries how you may lose some abilities, like doing logical operations, like math and physics. I later confirmed this with my twin sister and she agreed that the personality change was obvious right away. The loss of the abilities weren’t obvious and everyone thought I probably wasn’t really working hard enough.
That was the first major break through for me. That was in 1976. I went on to become a teacher, working the last half of my career with kids who were expelled or sent to special schools by the legal system. I retired from teaching in November, 2006.
The article in the American Legion Magazine brought all this to light again and gave me more information. The young men and women returning with brain injuries have a great deal to learn about the changes they will be going through. My injury was relatively minor compared to many of them. But the effect on my life, as I lived through those 11 years, was huge.
Now, I understand that my trauma may not have been as severe as theirs and many have additional injuries. But regardless of the degree of the injury some good can be found. They must be in the present and be aware that the world is full of opportunities. For me the good news is that after I gained some insight into what was at work ( or wasn’t ) in my brain and my life, I can look back and feel very good about the changes that happened. I have had a very rewarding career and was able to positively change some lives as a teacher, counselor, and mentor. I regret nothing that happened to me because, as it closed some doors in my life, it opened others that have been wonderful.
I have reached a point where I believe that the accident, wasn’t bad for me, but just changed my direction. It was a purposeful incident that changed the direction of my life, and directed me to become the educator, counselor, and giver that I have become. And it is presently guiding me to be involved in working with people with TBI, and become an entrepreneur who is creating a foundation that will provide educational opportunities for people who would not normally have them available.
Later I will add some recent discoveries I made about this injury.
Bob Lindstrom, 3/4/09
Friday, April 24, 2009
TBI group
I mentioned before that I had a brain injury a long time ago. And I think I posted the article I wrote about it. Last month I attended a TBI group and it was pleasent and very comforting to be with a group of people who understood some of the things and feelings I experienced. I really understood how it might benefit me to join a group, so I did. There is a group that meets every two weeks near my house and I went to my 2nd visit with them yesterday. Most have had more difficult injuries than I did but we all seem to understand where each are coming from. I enjoy this group and believe I will benefit from joining them and hope I will be a bonus to the group.
More later...
More later...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Business
Yesterday I closed my two last stores. It was hard to do. You who have been through something like this know how it feels. I am going to take a short respite from the store building business and regroup. I am however building a website for a friend. My friend, Ken, operates a kayak business in Safety Harbor, Fl. called Tocobaga Tours. Actually, he is the guy I got the name for my company from. We worked at the same school for 7 years, just before I retired.
During the break I will be reevaluating the things I did right and wrong. I expect to begin a again based on the experience I have just finished. Real life is just a continuation of school. Sometimes we get 'F's and then we learn and get 'A's. At least I always have.
Keep Smiling!
During the break I will be reevaluating the things I did right and wrong. I expect to begin a again based on the experience I have just finished. Real life is just a continuation of school. Sometimes we get 'F's and then we learn and get 'A's. At least I always have.
Keep Smiling!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The holidays are over. Are you cheering or sad?
17 February, 2009
How were your holidays? Ours were great. We stayed at home for the first time in 20 years and enjoyed many parties and sharing with our friends and families. 2009 looks like a great year to start new things and improve on the projects we have put off or just didn't have time to get to. There are a number of things I have wished to have time for and couldn't seem to get to. I will spend more time here at home this year and that allows me to work on home projects and volunteer more time to the Red Cross and the VA. I will be rebuilding all of my stores, using a new host and making them more 'user friendly'. I plan to only make one trip this summer, combining an ARMY reunion and traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway from south to north.
What are your expectations for 2009? Are you depressed and worried about surviving or are you looking forward to the excitement and expectation of wonderful things to come? This year will be pretty much you decide. Last year was a rollercoaster for me. Business wise I did not reach my goals. History has shown that years of recessions and depressions have been years of growth for those who looked for opportunities to grow and build. Last year was a year of learning and growing wisdom in my business and I am much better prepared to build and succeed this year. So, I see this year as a time of planting, tending, and reaping the financial and social fruits I planted in the last couple of years.
There is an old saying, "You become what you think about." What are you thinking about? Are you forecasting a year of gloom and doom for yourself, or are you looking forward and open to the opportunities that will be provided by the restructuring of our financial health? Experience and history have proven time and time again that the quote above is true. Think opportunity, financial growth, personal peace. You can make this the best year of your life.
If you haven't seen the video "The Secret", now would be a good time for it. You may go to my blog of 10/1/07 to learn more about it.
How were your holidays? Ours were great. We stayed at home for the first time in 20 years and enjoyed many parties and sharing with our friends and families. 2009 looks like a great year to start new things and improve on the projects we have put off or just didn't have time to get to. There are a number of things I have wished to have time for and couldn't seem to get to. I will spend more time here at home this year and that allows me to work on home projects and volunteer more time to the Red Cross and the VA. I will be rebuilding all of my stores, using a new host and making them more 'user friendly'. I plan to only make one trip this summer, combining an ARMY reunion and traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway from south to north.
What are your expectations for 2009? Are you depressed and worried about surviving or are you looking forward to the excitement and expectation of wonderful things to come? This year will be pretty much you decide. Last year was a rollercoaster for me. Business wise I did not reach my goals. History has shown that years of recessions and depressions have been years of growth for those who looked for opportunities to grow and build. Last year was a year of learning and growing wisdom in my business and I am much better prepared to build and succeed this year. So, I see this year as a time of planting, tending, and reaping the financial and social fruits I planted in the last couple of years.
There is an old saying, "You become what you think about." What are you thinking about? Are you forecasting a year of gloom and doom for yourself, or are you looking forward and open to the opportunities that will be provided by the restructuring of our financial health? Experience and history have proven time and time again that the quote above is true. Think opportunity, financial growth, personal peace. You can make this the best year of your life.
If you haven't seen the video "The Secret", now would be a good time for it. You may go to my blog of 10/1/07 to learn more about it.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Remembering Doris
Today I am be celebrating a very special life. My dear friend. Doris, died the other day. Her funeral service was Wednasday, and I have been recalling the wonder of her life and the wonderful times we shared.
I met Doris when her son, Eric, took SCUBA lessons from me back about 1981. He then worked with me at the dive school and I got to know the whole family. I was living in a duplex in Gulfport Fl and I took a group of divers over to West Palm to do a drift dive. When we got back we we went to their house and cleaned and sorted the gear and I headed home. It had been a long and tiring day and I was anxious to get to bed. I got two blocks from the house when I was stopped because there was a house fire and the streets were blocked. I parked in a neighbor’s yard and walked up to find, it was the house I lived in that was on fire. When the fire was out there was very little left and I found out the fire had started in the other half of the duplex. That night and the next I spent in my van in the back yard. The Red Cross gave me money to buy new clothes and food. They were a blessing but the best blessing came next. Doris, Eric, Mark, and Janine invited me to stay at their house until I could get resettled. I ended staying a month or so, and because of their generosity, had time to find a house to buy. I still live in that house.
Over the years Doris and I became close friends, as her kids moved out and started their own families. We maintained our friendship over the years, even as we moved in and out of personal relationships. We would go to a movie every so often. She helped me chaperone a bunch of students on a Keys trip over Christmas one year. One summer we went to Europe together, and after the tour part, she spent a week with the family of the two brothers she hosted as Exchange Students, and where Eric went, as an Exchange Student, in Saarbrucken. I spent that week with my daughter and her Mom, near by in Germany.
When I found out she had breast cancer, we had lunch regularly together. After she went through surgery and two series of both chemotherapy and radiation she was cured. But it took a toll. She was my motivation to participate in the Susan Komen run/walk for the last two years, and to add a breast health section to my online bridal store, Bay Bridal Shop. When she felt good enough we met at a restaurant for lunch, and when she was tired I brought lunch with me. We had wonderful talks and watched Opra and read Ekart Tolle’s book, and discussed it. With Doris I could relax and share what ever came to mind and she did too.
Doris was an elementary school math teacher. When her students got to high school they always told me how much they had learned from her and how they loved her. She blessed every student who was lucky enough to pass through her classroom.
Doris was a blessing to so many people, as a teacher, and a wonderful Mother, and the best, ‘Best Friend’. Thank you, Doris.
I met Doris when her son, Eric, took SCUBA lessons from me back about 1981. He then worked with me at the dive school and I got to know the whole family. I was living in a duplex in Gulfport Fl and I took a group of divers over to West Palm to do a drift dive. When we got back we we went to their house and cleaned and sorted the gear and I headed home. It had been a long and tiring day and I was anxious to get to bed. I got two blocks from the house when I was stopped because there was a house fire and the streets were blocked. I parked in a neighbor’s yard and walked up to find, it was the house I lived in that was on fire. When the fire was out there was very little left and I found out the fire had started in the other half of the duplex. That night and the next I spent in my van in the back yard. The Red Cross gave me money to buy new clothes and food. They were a blessing but the best blessing came next. Doris, Eric, Mark, and Janine invited me to stay at their house until I could get resettled. I ended staying a month or so, and because of their generosity, had time to find a house to buy. I still live in that house.
Over the years Doris and I became close friends, as her kids moved out and started their own families. We maintained our friendship over the years, even as we moved in and out of personal relationships. We would go to a movie every so often. She helped me chaperone a bunch of students on a Keys trip over Christmas one year. One summer we went to Europe together, and after the tour part, she spent a week with the family of the two brothers she hosted as Exchange Students, and where Eric went, as an Exchange Student, in Saarbrucken. I spent that week with my daughter and her Mom, near by in Germany.
When I found out she had breast cancer, we had lunch regularly together. After she went through surgery and two series of both chemotherapy and radiation she was cured. But it took a toll. She was my motivation to participate in the Susan Komen run/walk for the last two years, and to add a breast health section to my online bridal store, Bay Bridal Shop. When she felt good enough we met at a restaurant for lunch, and when she was tired I brought lunch with me. We had wonderful talks and watched Opra and read Ekart Tolle’s book, and discussed it. With Doris I could relax and share what ever came to mind and she did too.
Doris was an elementary school math teacher. When her students got to high school they always told me how much they had learned from her and how they loved her. She blessed every student who was lucky enough to pass through her classroom.
Doris was a blessing to so many people, as a teacher, and a wonderful Mother, and the best, ‘Best Friend’. Thank you, Doris.
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