By Patrick McNerthney
One of my favorite things (and yours too, I imagine) is to do the same thing over and over again, and expect different results.
This may be the definition of crazy, but rest assured, I am not crazy. Weird, eccentric, and obsessed with after dinner mints, yes. Crazy? No way.
For example, when my wife sits me down to dissect the current host of problems she’s struggling to reconcile—the vast majority of which may or may not involve my slovenly behavior—I promptly jump into the classic husband trap of, “Oh, so you want a completely practical and emotionless solution! Here ya go–all you have to do is [insert completely practical and emotionless solution to incredibly complex and annoying situation.]
And here’s where the real fun begins: I do this again and again and again and again despite the fact that it always generates the same result: the boss is now mad at me because I’m obviously not listening (which, in the end, is all she wants) because I’m too busy ignoring the chatter to formulate genius SOLUTIONS.
Maybe I am crazy.
(Nah– I’m not crazy; that’s crazy).
Or consider this:I always figure the best way to get my kid’s attention while teaching him not to yell across the room is to–you guessed it– yell across the room in order to get his attention (which never works, thank you, iPhones). And how about this: my brilliant way to fix the doorknob (on our back door) is to turn the little screw that holds it in place EVEN TIGHTER each and every time it falls off (30 x monthly?).
Ok I am crazy. Sigh.
The point is, when we discover something that doesn’t produce the results we want, we have two choices: try it again and hope for the best, or put in the work to find a real solution. (And yes, by real I do mean “different!”)
Sadly, as we all know, hope is not a plan, and hoping for the best is the surest way to disappoint ourselves, and likely others.
(Hey, I didn’t say you don’t NEED it. I just said it’s not a PLAN.)
But all is not fraught with anguish. You, dear reader, can change your ways (it’s too late for me; I just screwed that doorknob on again while you were reading this). And the best part is, you’ve got a fair companion by your side as you begin this journey of transformation.
Fine Art Miracles (FAM) knows creative expression is the secret sauce you can deliver to your residents or loved ones to help them overcome the ravages of social isolation. (That’s right, I’m looking at you, Anxiety and Depression!). Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Multi-Sensory Sessions, Drama Therapy, Drumming Exercise, Movement & Music and ART2GO packages have an incredible ability to CONNECT the elderly, children with challenges, and anyone needing assistance with life’s daily tasks with what matters most:
- Self-worth
- Confidence
- A sense of mastery
- Hope
- Joy
- A sense of place in the world
- The BELIEF, that they are VISIBLE, and IMPORTANT
So the question is, as a caregiver, are you trying the same things over and over and expecting different results? FAM may be your ticket out of that revolving door of disappointment.
So what are you waiting for? Give FAM a call or drop ‘em a note, they’re happy to help
Well, I just heard that doorknob fall off again over the cacophony of my kid yelling again. Oh well. At least I’ve learned to just listen when my wife speaks to me. Um, wait a minute, what’d you say dear?
