David Beasley, LMHC

Want your kid to retire a millionaire?

Here's an idea: when they get a part-time job at age 15 open a Roth IRA for them.

For $100 per month. If they continue that until age 65 and it's invested in a mutual fund that tracks the stock market (last 50 years averaged 11%).

At age 65 they will have:

$2,120,040.49

That's $100 per month to get $2 million!

The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. -Esther Perel

How to be Less Judgmental this Year How can we becomes less judgmental? Let's build a culture in which judginess diminished, and perspective-taking and understanding grew.

Comparison is the death of joy.

-Mark Twain

Humans need a purpose and a challenge. Without it, life is dismal.

What we think about ourselves is far more important than what others think.

Looking beyond the mirror we find a world that needs our gifts, talents, and compassion.

Mistakes are opportunities for learning. There's no shame in that.

“Love is at the root of everything. All learning, all parenting, all relationships. Love or the lack of it.” -Fred Rogers

When my kids are arguing, the difference between it being an opportunity to learn/teach and me just being annoyed is my awareness and attention.

If I can be fully present, I can teach conflict resolution skills. If I am distracted or in my own world, it can feel like a burden.

Let’s teach our children they aren’t a burden.

I recently read a rant from someone criticizing kids today and how lazy they are, spending too much time playing video games. One big piece that wasn’t mentioned was the time and attention from a trusted adult (ideally their parents) that too many children today are lacking.

Emotional neglect of children can be just as traumatic as other forms of trauma. This is rarely recognized. Research has shown that emotionally neglected children often grow up with negative coping skills such as escaping through substance abuse, toxic relationships, promiscuity, and other unproductive habits such as video games.

Emotionally neglected children and adolescents often present as detached, depressed, anxious, lacking joy, and having angry outbursts. Often times there is generational trauma within the family.

I write this not to offer excuses but to help with understanding. This is my perspective after over 15 years as a therapist working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with trauma, substance abuse, runaways, and mental health issues.

If you need help or know of someone that does, feel free to private message me or text at 352-281-3428. I can help with connecting to you to services.

Signs of Emotional Intelligence:

-gets along well with others
-self awareness of strengths/weaknesses
-living with integrity
-self awareness of feelings
-solution-focused (not whining)
-self motivated
-able to set boundaries for self and respects others

Children that were abused or neglected often lack the following development skills in adulthood:

-interpersonal skills
-boundary setting/assertiveness
-social anxiety or aggressiveness
-issues with responsibility
-time/money management

Send a message to learn more

"Sense of wonder" = an awakening or awe

Ideas for increasing our sense of wonder in life:
-go see a kid's play or sport
-travel
-take a class
-go for a walk in nature
-volunteer or help others
-learn about the universe
-enjoy art, music, literature
-look up at the stars and planets
-meet new people

Love is more conducive to happiness than hate is.

Affirm = offering someone emotional support or encouragement

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/emdr-therapy-exactly-really-help-120000701.html

What Is EMDR Therapy, Exactly, and Can It Really Help You Process Trauma? Here’s what we know about the increasingly popular treatment.

A great classic worth reading.

Strength of character is much more important than worldly riches.

An awareness of death can help us to live.

If you want to be interesting, be interested.

Social media isn't real. It's a highlight reel.

Love is the gift of attention.