St. James' Episcopal Church - Potomac 301-762-8040 [email protected]

Managing Anger

Hello Stronger Together folks,

This week we’re talking about anger management.

Maybe the political turmoil we are currently experiencing is making you mad. How do we manage anger productively, since there is really no way we won’t get angry at times? Let’s talk about it. We’ll watch this mindfulness video on anger.

Warm up question: What is something that many people consider a modern-day convenience that you, quite frankly, consider a pain in the neck?

8 Things to Know About Depression and Anxiety

Hi all,

This week we have an article to read instead of a video. It’s short though, so we can read it together if you don’t get to it before the meeting.

The article is “I Have Depression and Anxiety – 8 Things I Wish People Knew About It.”

Please bring your thoughts and questions to the discussion.

Warmup question: Tell us two boring but unlikely-to-be-known facts about yourself.

Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

All,

I am looking forward to this week’s Stronger Together on Thursday, October 24 at 7 PM ET.
Here is a video that is an interview between the Chief Clinical Officer of a Company called NOCD, which provides online content and access to therapists that specialize in treatments for OCD. The entire video is 47 minutes, but, for the purpose of our discussion, please watch the first 11 minutes prior to our meeting and then together we can watch the chapter on “manifestation” (time stamps 16:42 – 20:10). Of course, feel free to watch all of it if you have the time. It is very informative.
Lisa

Learning to Forgive Ourselves

Hello friends,

This Thursday’s topic is Learning to Forgive Ourselves: We make mistakes and in hindsight know they are wrong.

Join others to watch this short video about forgiving ourselves followed by an open discussion on how we might forgive ourselves for these mistakes.

Warm-up question: What has someone done for you lately that you really appreciated? Or what have you enjoyed doing for someone else?

The Power of Gratitude

Hi folks,

This week I’m trying to fret less and focus on the good. I almost thought it would be helpful to discuss mental health during an election campaign, but I’m a chicken so I bring you the topic of gratitude.

Another way to think about gratitude is training our minds to notice the tailwinds, not just the headwinds, and the present moment, not just the past and future ruminations. Our minds are geared to focus on pain (for our survival!) but our mental health might depend on going against that aspect of our nature.

Here’s a video we will watch: The Power of GratitudeThomas Gilovich, the speaker in this video podcast, has done longer presentations on the topic, but this one will hopefully get us started.

Warmup topic: Tell a story about a lucky break or a close call you’ve experienced.

See you Thursday at 7 p.m.!

Kirsten