On Loneliness

This week, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy outlined a federal policy to deal with another epidemic: loneliness (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html).  Upon reading about this, I had myriad feelings about.  I felt relieved and validated, as I have seen and felt first-hand the effects of loneliness in my work as a therapist.  The pandemic was so arduous, especially … Read moreOn Loneliness

The Thwaites Glacier is Melting: A Cry from Mother Earth

Wondering what to write about this week for Jazz Therapy, I came across a few articles reporting that Florida-sized the Thwaites Glacier (known as the “Doomsday Glacier) is melting, faster that previously thought (https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/15/world/thwaites-doomsday-glacier-sea-level-climate-intl/index.html).  In Antarctica, this glacier is known as the “Doomsday” because of the catastrophic results that will occur when it melts, possibly … Read moreThe Thwaites Glacier is Melting: A Cry from Mother Earth

Honoring Syria and Turkey in the Aftermath of the Earthquake

As you probably know, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Northern Syria and Turkey, resulting in the deaths of at least 7,900 people, with that number growing.  (https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/turkey-syria-earthquake-updates-2-7-23-intl/index.html.  Rescuers are doing their best to look for more survivors; this search is also compounded by cold winter weather.  Survivors are left to grieve their loved ones, … Read moreHonoring Syria and Turkey in the Aftermath of the Earthquake

Police Violence Against Black people Must END: Honoring Tyre Nichols

First reading about this case, I felt sad, disgusted, angry, helpless, and powerless.  I also started to think about how the officers in the case, the suspects, were Black too.  They have internalized violence and inflicted it on to fellow Black people.  I reflected upon the idea of the internalization of the aggressor, the aggressor … Read morePolice Violence Against Black people Must END: Honoring Tyre Nichols

Reflections on the shootings in CA: Death, Bloodshed, and still no Gun Control

Just two days after that, a shooter in Half Moon Bay opened fired, killing 7 people.  His name is Chunli Zhao and he is of Asian descent.  While motives are not completely known at this time, it seems as if this was a case of workplace violence.  It is another senseless tragedy  (https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/25/us/half-moon-bay-shooting-suspect-chunli-zhao-what-we-know/index.html). I am … Read moreReflections on the shootings in CA: Death, Bloodshed, and still no Gun Control

Honoring the National Archives

I have been thinking lately about the National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/), the United States federal agency “”…of the executive branch”,[4] charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. It is also tasked with increasing public access to those documents which make up the National Archive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Archives_and_Records_Administration).  The National Archives and Records Administration, or … Read moreHonoring the National Archives