On the way to us

  🎙️ Confidence Ritual Recording Script Intro (set the scene) “Take a breath. Feel your feet on the ground. You are safe. You are present. You are about to connect with someone new, and you get to show up as yourself — nothing more, nothing less.” 2. Anchor in Strength (Expanded Affirmations) “Remember who you are: You are creative . You’ve thrown yourself into improv, and that creativity shines in how you play, explore, and laugh. You are thoughtful . You notice details, ask real questions, and care about people’s stories.   Remember the DBT group – and the wonderful card they wrote for   you. You are caring . You want connection, not games. That’s rare and beautiful. You are resilient . You’ve faced hard moments, like the turmoil with past dates (Michelle), and yet you chose growth instead of staying stuck. That takes strength. You are genuine . You don’t need to be flashy or perfect; you just ne...

 Notes from NotebookLM from  Youtube Video Interview of Dr. Anna Machin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxsnk90VwCo&list=WL&index=98    Dr. Anna Machin is an Oxford-trained evolutionary anthropologist who has dedicated the last two decades of her life to understanding human love and close relationships . Her mission is rooted in the belief that love is central to what it means to be human, essential for health, mental and physical well-being, longevity, and happiness. She uses a scientific approach, incorporating various techniques such as brain scanning and genetics, to explain how evolution has shaped human relationships and behaviors. Dr. Machin's Expert Profile and Contributions to the Neuroscience of Love & Relationships: Dr. Machin's work extensively covers the neuroscience and biology underpinning human attraction, attachment, and relationships , including the roles of brain chemistry, hormones, and genetic predispositions. 1. The Neuroscience...

Cleaning dried or sticky baby parrot formula off a 4-week-old cockatiel requires gentleness, warmth, and safety to avoid chilling, stressing, or damaging the chick's developing feathers and skin. Here’s the vet-recommended method, based on Clinical Avian Medicine (Harrison & Lightfoot, 2006) and Essentials of Avian Medicine and Surgery (Coles, 2007): --- Safe Cleaning Method for Formula Spills Materials Needed Warm, filtered water (38–40°C / 100–104°F) Soft cotton pad or gauze Diluted saline solution (optional, 1 tsp salt per cup of boiled cooled water) Towel to support the chick and prevent slipping Dry towel or low-heat hairdryer for drying afterward Steps 1. Warm the area first: Moisten a cotton pad or soft cloth with warm water. Gently press it against the crusted formula for 30–60 seconds to soften it—do not rub yet. 2. Gently wipe: Once softened, use another moist pad or gauze to gently wipe the area in the direction of feather growth. 3. Repeat if needed: If the formula ...

 How to defeat shyness:  First, Why is it important to overcome my shyness?   I need to face the reality that unless I overcome shyness, I will die alone.  I will need to realize the greater fear of dying alone is greater.  .....CBT hasn't helped.  ... I will have a first session with a dating coach this Friday.  She mentioned using exposure strategies as a way to work through my fears and shyness.  ... I have read a lot of books and workbooks but I think this didn't help because I failed to properly implement them.  Insight from doing DBT workbook:  the more I avoid, the more likely I will avoid next time. 

Both **Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) 12 Steps** and **Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills** offer structured approaches for emotional healing and personal growth. However, they differ in philosophy, application, and structure.   --- ### **ACA 12 Steps (Adult Children of Alcoholics)** **Strengths:**   1. **Addresses Deep-Rooted Childhood Trauma** – The ACA 12 Steps specifically help those who grew up in dysfunctional families, focusing on healing childhood wounds.   2. **Spiritual Foundation** – Encourages reliance on a Higher Power, which can be comforting for those who value faith-based recovery.   3. **Structured Step Work** – Provides a clear step-by-step process to work through past emotional wounds and dysfunctional behaviors.   4. **Community Support** – Offers meetings and sponsors for guidance, making it a highly supportive peer-driven model.   5. **Focus on Emotional Sobriety** – Encourages emotional stability and healthy relationships, ...

Concepts: Wanting something too badly without knowing for sure is scary to the other person.  Single on Purpose: Redefine Everything. Find Yourself First. by John Kim. --- Introduction John Kim introduces his philosophy of living “single on purpose.” He discusses the importance of discovering your authentic self, building a fulfilling life independently, and breaking free from the societal pressure to always be in a relationship. The goal is to become whole on your own before seeking love. --- Chapter 1: Why You Should Be Single on Purpose This chapter emphasizes why being single can be a powerful period for self-growth. Kim challenges the societal norms around relationships and encourages readers to reframe singlehood as an opportunity for self-discovery and personal development. --- Chapter 2: What Does Being Single on Purpose Look Like? Kim explores what it means to be single intentionally rather than passively. He highlights the importance of embracing solitude, fostering new i...

 Since my earliest childhood memories, I have been reliving a nightmare.  I am condemned to a dark maze with walls that are about a hundred feet apart and seem to stretch to infinity.  Peoples' screams, and yelling echo throughout the foggy maze and the ground is, uneven, moist, and slippery.  There is a disembodied voice that whispers in my ear to find my family in hell in order to escape it.  My sisters are among me, and parents are nowhere to be seen.  I turn to look around and then turn back to my sisters and they are also gone.  I am all alone, cold, and tired.  I awake in the physical world, but the nightmare continues.  My family is here but I get no warmth, trust, or love; only an unforgiving contempt.  I am a family of one.   Aviles have accepted me as a son and a brother. I am family, I would do anything for them.   Still in my heart the confusion, fear, and pain remains; just the same as when I was in the f...