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As a teacher with nearly 80 private students, it feels like stepping into the front line in a war every day. I have students who can't talk, meaning they are so hesitant to speak that they don't speak at all. I have students who have rare heart conditions, or some form of autism, or can't look anybody in the eye. Some parents are desperately trying to fix the situation by getting their child to respond to, "How are you today, Addison?" The parent gently says, "Addy, tell him how you are doing." Some parents are MIA, and leave it to the poor grandparents (themselves utterly unable to comprehend a world where kids don't speak) to teach basic manners. These grandparents can't understand why children act like glitchy robots. Occasionally, there are times when I feel like I'm in Hell. What did I do in my former life to warrant watching innocent 5-year-olds struggle to speak or wrestle with a heart condition?

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Feb 17, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

Are you a special needs teacher?( probably a dated term…I taught kindergarten 25 years ago)

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Feb 17, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

Well, that's just the thing! Nope, just regular music lessons with a pretty random cross section of children K-12.

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Feb 17, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

That is so very concerning. Are you thinking that these behaviors are related to what has been happening these last years? I guess there is a direct correlation. I am thinking “guess” is not the right word. There is no question. I can only imagine how deeply difficult this is for all concerned. I am thinking music will be a positive path for the children. A light.

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Feb 17, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

Thanks for the kind words Yes, and to doc's point, communication has been stifled for children for three years. Music, as a form of communication, will certainly help :)

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author

No telling how much children are going to suffer from all of this...before Covid it was bad enough what was going on with the kids...now good lord, I shudder to think...poor kids...

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

If you've experienced abuse, bullying, manipulation, belittling, etc., you recognize it instinctually and are deliberate in placing trust carefully.

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author

Yes, people who have been abused do develop a "radar" system to detect "unsafe" situations, particularly being untrusting of people or situations that everyone else think are safe.

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founding
Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

hmmm. like transporting gordon from that particular time to the present? to take someone from 1959 and plunk them into this world would certainly be interesting, but a very short lived tragedy. likely shot dead by cops at the nearest canadian tire demanding to buy a 12 gauge without following the 'proper steps and procedures'.

the 'powers that shouldn't be' were cautious of those men. public schooling has made them dinosaurs. their cherished concepts of freedom and self reliance, cute reminders of a geological era long buried under the dirt.

peace

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Great read as usual and will be linking it today @https://nothingnewunderthesun2016.com/

Also wanted to get back with you about your article the other day "Hot Air" where we touched on the alien card subject. Patrick Wood at Technocracy News had a good article about this as well that I wanted to share with you and your readers, I am linking it today as well or you can go directly to it - @https://www.technocracy.news/john-podesta-the-trilateral-commission-link-to-ufo-alien-mania/

It's pretty interesting.

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

I really liked the article…it addresses much of what I have been conflicted about…where is the line between thinking positively and ignoring the darkness, finding peace in the moment AND fully realizing what is happening and being immersed in concern and sorrow about the current situation? I truly think there is a way of honoring the sacred moment of right “now”, and making peace of being the priority AND also being aware of what is happening in the world. From not being immersed in the fear of it all, I am thinking from a place of peace there is more strength and power to DO something about it all…That being said, I struggle with this way of being constantly. This morning I just read a letter to the editor stating every bit of misinformation out there…ie. Masks prevent Covid, Ivermectin worthless, etc. I want to squash that person…and her audacity to write such lies! So no peace for me at the moment…but I will work on finding that peace again and from that place figure out how to respond to such a letter. I don’t think this is “thinking positively” about what is happening…I think it is way deeper than that…but I have a long way to go. Just reread this comment…sounds a bit “preachy” I know nothing…just writing to try and understand!

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author

Not preachy at all. You know how I feel about this whole "thinking positively vs taking action"...I think the operative word is "fear"...including "worry"...if you can extract those things, then you are operating within the true power of spirit.

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

"It is a closed system."

Very true for the entire internet now where our 'opinion or response' requires a sign-in procedure.

This is sold as a way of controlling spam, but it's also a great source of verified social-emotional data that may be used to "steer" the conversation (using fake personas) and strategy in real time.

Our best defense against the machine is constructive engagement with each other that builds rapport, the algorithms don't as yet comprehend empathy.

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author

Look out for the article "A Closed System"

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

Having never been a best case scenario thinker, I have always found it amusing when the positive thinkers excuse a potentially dangerous situation by saying "It's never happened before." To which I reply "Until it does. That's why it's called the first time."

In economics the Laffer Curve demonstrates a point in which higher taxes fail to raise tax revenue. Perhaps it is being applied psychologically - how much can they push until there is pushback.

Healthy skepticism has all but disappeared in the minds of most. It's like the old joke:

"I heard they removed the word Gullible from the dictionary. Is that true?"

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author

Yeah, the "never happened before" comment is also usually nonsense because most of all of this HAS happened before...as Mark Twain said, "History doesn't always repeat itself, but often it rhymes." (paraphrased). The "never happened before" idea is true, nothing happens exactly the same way. But when you see a pattern, that usually leads to a certain conclusion, you can certainly be justified in "watching it carefully."

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

I have found that being raised in an alcoholic household, where they drank away all the money and where we were always walking on eggshells around them helped me to not depend on them, or anyone really, for safety and support. At an early age, I developed the skills to question everything and to try to read the motives and intentions of others. It has helped me immensely - except for the fact that I too became an alcoholic. So I have questioned a lot of things over the years that others have gone along with.

As to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, an excellent example of what happens when people are knocked down several pegs is the recent movie Triangle of Sadness. It's even up for Best Picture. I guess you could describe it as a horror movie for the rich and famous.

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

Same childhood; same self reliance and critical, if not overly cynical, thinking skills established early on. It was self survival from birth! I’m sorry you got pulled into the alcohol trap; it’s tough to avoid in the face of few worthy role models, so don’t beat yourself up; at least you are self-aware. I escaped it with encouragement and support from outside-the-home mentors who gave me confidence to stand on my own. But by the grace of God, I could have also ended up an addict and continued the generational trend. I express gratitude every single day.

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Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

Thanks for your kind words, Cyn.

I have been sober for 4 1/2 years now. I am attending regular AA meetings with people I have grown to love. I am in a service position in my home group. So as long as I continue to keep an open mind, listen to others experiences and advice, help wherever I can and most importantly reach out for help when needed, I plan to continue on this road. The seeking help from others has been the hardest part from a lifetime of being a lone wolf. But I choose those I reach out to very carefully.

It is very important these days to have a clear head to see which way the wind is blowing so at this point, I can't see myself ever needing alcohol ever again. I couldn't even have imagined that when I first got sober.

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author

Bravo...to both of you...

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founding
Feb 15, 2023Liked by Todd Hayen, PhD, RP

it's been going on for a very long time. here's a great old clip from when journalists had some independence and opinion. plus i love the way people used to talk.

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1766195241

ultimately it didn't matter. the experts speak, the sheep follow. daddy only hurts you because he must. for your own good.

peace

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author

Well I guess he lost...

I loved this...wow, I wonder what he would think today.

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Exactly Todd. “It will all work out. - don’t worry”. How many times have I heard that in the past 3 years🤦‍♀️. And I don’t think the rest will wake up until they start losing their material things. Bang on with that one I think.

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