Let's Be Krystal Clear: Psychological & Therapeutic Services

09/15/2021

05/31/2021

"She's the same woman, she just moves differently."

As I embraced a new year of life over the weekend, I reflected on parts of myself that I needed to leave behind and envisioned other parts that I wanted to embrace and highlight.💫 Cheers to another year of life 💖

05/30/2021

I'm not here to debate whether the bonnets should or should not be worn outside of the house. Whoever created these "rules" of what people should and should not do when it literally has no effect on them, is beyond my understanding. However, I will speak on the fact that for so many, what a person may have on their head, and to be judged according to a strangers taste, is a little too much audacity for me. People have grown way too comfortable speaking on the lives of other people way too often. I grew up (and still believe) that if you don't have anything nice to say, does it even really have to be said?

This debate really hit a nerve in me because I sat back and watched how the social world (social media, the radio stations, blogs, etc.) adamantly tore down a woman who was already going through emotional turmoil within her marriage, and instead of people choosing to target their viscous and rude comments towards the person that caused her enough humiliation already, people decided to drag her because of what she chose to have on her head. I was disgusted. Then to see this same conversation cycling through the social world again, always and only, towards black women, I just could not continue to not say anything.

I'm over the world (women, men, black men, black women) trying to police what women do, and specifically, black women, do with their hair, body, households, etc. These same judgments are hardly as popular in other races.

If it doesn't have anything to do with you, keep it moving...."respectfully."

05/28/2021

Each year before my birthday, I go to my spa and one of the services that is a must for me to get has nothing to do with the physical appearance. I want to emphasize that because many times people think of the spa/pampering yourself only in physical appearance aspects. Nope, there are other parts to the spa as well.

This is halotherapy in a salt cave. A device called a halogenerator grinds salt into microscopic particles and releases them into the air of the room (that's the opening you see on the wall at the end). Once inhaled, these salt particles are claimed to absorb irritants, including allergens and toxins, from the respiratory system.

Salt is also said to produce negative ions. This theoretically causes your body to release more serotonin, one of the chemicals behind feelings of happiness, which it also helps in the treatment process of depression and anxiety. Many people use Himalayan salt lamps to also get the benefits of negative ions at home.

I especially love to go when no one else is there. I use it as a time to meditate and reflect as I prepare to enter into a new year of life. I usually leave my phone in the locker so that I can disconnect from the phone, but this year I wanted to capture a quick video to share with you all!

(I also do float therapy! I'll share that in another post.)

Does anyone else have any untraditional self care birthday rituals?! Please share!

05/26/2021

Hey hey hey!!!!

What If You Pursued Contentment Rather Than Happiness? Contentment—the knowledge that things are OK exactly as they are, right now. According to my reading, contentment is one of the highest states to cultivate in life. Yet in the West, we were obsessing about happiness—and feeling more anxious, depressed, and stressed. I decided to dig in and see what kind of ancient secrets could be revealed through a scientific investigation of the most underappreciated emotion in history: contentment.

The root of the word contentment comes from the Latin contentus, which means “held together” or “intact, whole.” Originally, contentus was used to describe containers, literally things like cups, buckets, and barrels. Later, the word evolved into something that could reflect onto a person, which describes one who feels complete, with no desires beyond themselves. Contentus asks the question, “How whole do you feel inside? How complete are you as a human being?”

This perspective shifts the entire narrative of humanity’s quest for something greater. All other emotions require external input; they are reactions to the outside world. Contentment, on the other hand, requires no external input and is sourced entirely from within. Instead of seeking external sources for happiness—which are always going to be out of our control—contentment offers an incredible power and stability.

05/10/2021

"True justice is paying only once for each mistake."

How to stop self punishment:

1. Acknowledge and own the mistake.
This not only calms us but gives us some power over the situation.  

2. Identify the mistake.
Analyze the situation and see just exactly what caused the undesired outcome.  

3. Correct the problem.
Implement a new system to avoid omissions, determine where our scheduling technique broke down, etc.  Make sure that, to the best of our ability, that we have implemented a solution that should prevent the same (or a very similar) mistake from recurring.  Be proud of this accomplishment – it enables us to let go of our disappointment, guilt, frustration, fear, anger, etc.

4. Move on.
Obviously, this is harder than it sounds.  However, our preparation above has led us to a position where we can honestly tell ourselves that we know what happened, we don’t like what happened, and we have fixed the problem that led to it occurring.  By taking both responsibility and action, we create a powerful combination that allows us, with a bit of discipline, to live in the present and not rehash the past.

05/09/2021

Woman.

When God created woman he was working late on the 6th day....... An angel came by and asked." Why spend so much time on her?" The lord answered. "Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her?" She must function on all kinds of situations, She must be able to embrace several kids at the same time, Have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart, She must do all this with only two hands," She cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a day"

THE ANGEL was impressed" Just two hands.....impossible!

And this is the standard model?" The Angel came closer and touched the woman" "But you have made her so soft, Lord". "She is soft", said the Lord, "But I have made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome" "Can she think?" The Angel asked... The Lord answered. "Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate"

The Angel touched her cheeks.... "Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her" "She is not leaking...it is a tear" The Lord corrected the Angel… "What's it for?" Asked the Angel..... .
The Lord said. "Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride."... This made a big impression on the Angel, "Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything.
A woman is indeed marvellous"

Lord said."Indeed she is.
She has strength that amazes a man.
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.
She holds happiness, love and opinions.
She smiles when she feels like screaming.
She sings when she feels like crying, cries when happy and laughs when afraid.
She fights for what she believes in.

Her love is unconditional.
Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies but she finds strength to get on with life"

The Angel asked: So she is a perfect being?
The lord replied: No. She has just one drawback "She often forgets what she is worth". 💫

-Repost

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms, bonus moms, fur moms, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, cousins, friends,to all of the women who have opened their arms, hearts, and ears to those who needed the love, the comfort, the validation.💖

05/03/2021

Relationships require intentionality and effort. You must be intentional about pouring into your relationship to make it good and successful. Relationship maintenance is a way for you to check in with your relationship and your spouse. See how things are going and what needs to be worked on. Is there anything that has gone unnoticed and needs to be discussed? Be intentional about your relationship and where you want it to go.

04/23/2021

So often, we believe the because we are speaking, because words are coming out of our mouths, that we are communicating. Sometimes, all you're doing is just talking, not communicating. A big part of communication, true and effective communication, is learning how to deliver your message so that it is correctly received and understood by the other person. Learn how to communicate to the way they hear, and not just the way you choose to deliver your message.

04/21/2021

One of the most fundamental growing pains I've experienced has been to understand the value in rest, being present, and being whole.

Being Rested:

I've learned that Rest and relaxation reduces stress and improves overall health. You'll be able to easily work a full day. It also Improves your focus: An active mind gets tired just like an active body. Including time to quiet your thoughts and letting your mind rest is part of the healing process. "Americans are among the worst offenders when it comes to not resting enough. According to the Institute for Work and Families, fewer than half U.S. employees take all their vacation days." We tend to think of vacation as an indulgence that we can’t afford, but as we’ll find out, it’s actually a necessary part of doing your best work.

Being Present:
Have you ever heard the saying “don’t let the future steal your present?” This statement is very powerful. Many of us could benefit from following this mantra as it teaches the importance of mindfulness.
If you have never heard of mindfulness before, it is the practice of being present in the moment. Your mind may be stealing your time
What does this mean?  Well, have you ever been on a vacation or doing something you really enjoy but had the thought “I don’t want this to be over” or “this is so fun but soon it will be Monday and I’ll be back at work.” This type of thinking only allows your mind to steal away your precious time. And in reality, the time will naturally pass and exciting, joyous occasions will naturally come to a close. So don’t feel as though you have to perceptively speed up that process!

Being Whole:

In this season of your life, ask yourself, "are you feeling whole? Or broken?"
Something that is “whole” is complete, with all its interrelated parts working together as designed. Working together, not suppressed and/or ignored.

04/11/2021

This one touched my spirit this morning! 🙌🏾 Happy Sunday!!!!