My conclusion, here and now, is that the definition of “conclusion” includes two very important meanings.
con·clu·sion
/kənˈklo͞oZHən
noun
plural noun: conclusions
1. the end or finish of an event or process.
“the conclusion of World War Two”
synonyms: end, ending, finish, close, termination, windup, cessation
2. a judgment or decision reached by reasoning.
“each research group came to a similar conclusion”
synonyms: deduction, inference, interpretation, reasoning
Sometimes, people reach conclusions (judgments/decisions) that result in the conclusion (ending/finish) of a pattern of behaviors, a way of thinking, a relationship, a job, or something else important in their lives.
Yesterday, in a therapy group, participants concluded to write down a list of other people’s harsh and unfair conclusions about them. At the conclusion of that group exercise, they tore up these internalized negative messages and threw them away. One person’s conclusion was that the internalized belief that she was trash deserved to be ripped up and tossed in the trash.
Are there any conclusions about or in my photos from yesterday?
At the conclusion of each blog post, I express gratitude and appreciation to all those who helped me create it and to you — of course! — for reading it.
When I have trouble making a decision, it’s often because I fear making the wrong decision. But how do I know a decision is wrong until I make it?
Sometimes I tell people who are having trouble making a decision to consider that there are no wrong decisions. Is that the wrong decision? Because decisions do have consequences.
However, it’s often the wrong decision to obsess about possible consequences before making a decision. The right decision is to decide, act, and then deal with the consequences as best you can.
Last night, I was thinking I had made the wrong decision to sit in the front row of the live show of So You Think You Can Dance.
See those rectangular boxes? They were foot lights that wrongly obscured my view of the dancers’ feet.
It was the wrong decision for me to focus on what was wrong with my view. I made the right decision to enjoy what I could see. And Hannahlei, Jensen, Genessy, Slavik, Darius, Jay Jay, Cole, Magda, Evan, and Chelsea all made the right decision to be dancers. They don’t just think they can dance — they most decidedly can.
Any wrong decisions in my other photos from yesterday?
I wonder if it’s the wrong decision to tell this story about my being a temporary worker during the summer of 1971 at Lynn City Hall (the location of Lynn Memorial Auditorium, where I saw the performance last night).
One of the many jobs I held as a temp worker during the summer of 1971 was in the rent control department of Lynn City Hall. One day, I saw a man I knew from my synagogue come in to speak to the director of the department. When he left, the director said a defamatory word about Jews, which starts with the letter “K.” I had never heard that word spoken out loud; I was shocked. Soon afterwards, somebody else who worked there walked over to my desk and asked “Ann, are you Jewish?” I thought it might be the wrong decision to admit that, so I asked, “WHY?” This guy said, “Because I saw your face when the director said that. I think everybody here thinks you’re Italian.” The next day, the director, looking very uncomfortable, came over to my desk and said, “You know, I think it’s GREAT that Israel is bombing the hell out of (whomever Israel was bombing the hell out of that summer).” I decided to look him right in the eye and say, “Really? I think it’s TERRIBLE.”
Do you see any wrong decisions there?
It’s never a wrong decision to end with thanks to all who helped me make all the decisions going into the creation of this post and — of course! — YOU.
ca·thar·tic
kəˈTHärdik
adjective
1. providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis.
“crying is a cathartic release”
As a psychotherapist who endorses providing psychological relief, I agree that crying and the open expression of strong emotions is cathartic.
Here are other things I find cathartic:
Writing this daily blog,
Finishing my taxes.
Important relationships.
Laughter.
Owning my personal power.
Physical exercise.
Self care.
Nature.
Animals.
Holidays.
Spring.
Water.
Hope.
Life, in general.
Life, specifics (see all previous blog posts for specifics).
Letting go of fear and worry.
Memories.
Moving on.
Being in the moment.
What is cathartic for you?
Are any of my recent photos cathartic?
Following your own path is cathartic and so is music (here and here).
Receiving and responding to feedback is cathartic, as is expressing thanks to all who helped me create this cathartic blog post and — of course! — YOU.
I am in the middle of watching a lot of “Breaking Bad” episodes, in an attempt to catch up. I would like to watch the final episode on Sunday with people I love.
I’m probably not going to make it, but I’m going to do my best.
I’m going to make decisions, recognizing there are trade-offs at each point.
I want to take care of myself first.
My priorities may shift, throughout this process.
I am currently watching the Fly episode.
Walter White just said,
There is no room for error, not with these people.
Thank goodness I’m not dealing with people like that, these days.
Thanks to creative people, imperfectionists everywhere, and to you, for reading today.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 