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2017: A Year Without a Valentine

As I reflect back on this past week I title it "No Valentine".

It didn't start on Tuesday, actually started on Monday… Reeling from the agency wide mental health crises, we could say it began there… Trying to find a way to make sure my friends and coworkers could be utilized, saved, supported, transitioned to another gainful employment, I was overwhelmed and tired by the end of the day.

Come Tuesday,  multiple crises impacted my mental health caseload, as the team leader I have to orchestrate as well as be knowledgeable about all clients as well as develop treatment strategies to assist them with progress in their goals and avoid the pitfalls of the crisis. It was a long drawn out day that took longer than usual, or at least it seems… Barely registering that that day was a holiday for lovers. A few checkins came in my iMessenger, from coworkers and friends, a few male friends that kind of had me questioning their stance… But that was more about me then them, they clarified that there was no sugar in their tank, they just wanted to wish me well on this day…

So I got off later than usual, well, not so unusual, as I do cover mobile crisis Monday through Thursday usually… Made a few pitstops and made it home.

But I came home to no Valentine, no texts of love, no gifts of love, no words of love, no love... and I have to ask myself why?

I'll explore in new music, poetry, etc. 

Stay tuned.

Study Cohort for LCAS/CSAC Exam: Week 3 - Mental Illness

MOCK Talk Radio - January 7, 2017

MOCK Talk Radio - January 7, 2017

Hidden Figures

Release Date: December 25th (Limited)  January 6th (Nationwide)

Synopsis: Based on a true story, a team of African American women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program's first successful space missions.

Review: A pervasive trend in black cinema, that has become more and more difficult to contend with, is the notion that our dramatic narratives must revolve around the theme of being victimized. This is not to say that  history is not replete with such tales of persecution. However, there has been an incessant clamoring for other accounts to be depicted in film, thus proving that the tent poles of our history are not just planted in the soil of victimization.This is why Hidden Figures succeeds at not only being a refreshing take but  one that constitutes as necessary viewing. The three central characters, played vividly and meticulously by Taraji P. Henson, Janell Monae and Octavia Spencer, do well to authentically encapsulates the essence of  empowered , black feminism during a time when it was suppressed thanks in part to societal biases fueled by white supremacy.To witnesses the debunking of such beliefs, that these "figures" were intellectually inferior, creates repeated moments of immense satisfaction and joy that never feels patronizing or playacted. Beyond its' crowd pleasing aspects though stirs burrowing concerns that relate to the omission  of other such figures and events from the pages of American history. Nevertheless, those lingering concerns can not prevent this film from being triumphant in providing models, for girls of  all shades, to aspire to as well  accomplished women, gaining the opportunity, to finally witness their mirror images receive proper praise and attention! (A-) -CgN

Happy New Year! New Year! New Me!

New Year! New Me!
F. Khristopher Blue

A lot of people are disappointment because of what happened this past election year… And I admit, I too was disappointed… Hurt, depressed, anxious, disillusioned, so much more. My team and I hit the airwaves to share our disgust via our radio program M.O.C.K. Talk Radio and POLI-TRICKS but found the more I vented the more I became upset so I ceased such activities.

These last few days I had emotional, mental, and physical breakdown… I just couldn't do anything, nothing. I think I was overwhelmed regarding this transition but I know it also has something to do with my current caseload in my mental health practice. Nonetheless… I woke up today, this morning rather, with a new outlook… I told myself you sit in that chair and I told my alter self you stand there, now it  wasn't really my alter self but it was basically to put myself in the chair as if I was the client… What would I tell my client in this position?

What goals do I hope to achieve in this coming year…?

I hope to establish a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and a good sleep regimen.

I hope to use my creative energy to make impact regarding bringing awareness to issues such as mental health, homelessness, physical disabilities and illnesses etc.

I hope to have a good study regimen so I can pass my certification test for my LCAS and then start another study regimen so I can pass my NCE so I could pursue my LPC. 

I hope to establish the greatest team of all time in this mental-health realm of community support team as well as community intensive services at freedom House recovery Center much like the one I had in the past but have not had in recent years. This is our year the team is there, I have the personnel, we can do this… We will do this!

Now before I get ahead of myself… I must be very realistic in my approach they are certain behaviors that I have that have caused me problems in the past such as not sleeping enough or oversleeping, have a negative attitude and aiming it at people who have nothing to do with it... Indicating that I am the pillar of this community but not following through with"pillar" like activities... Investment in things I don't need, not invested in enough things that I do need, not spending enough time with friends and family, spending too much time thinking about clients therefore not having a balance in life. Balance is key to success… I strive to have balance in 2017 if nothing else. I plan to succeed in 2017 if nothing else. I plan on being a better person in 2017 if nothing else.