How Many Therapists Does It Take To Change a Light Bulb? None. The Light Bulb Has To Want To Change.

The Everything Psychology Book says it all. The "Everything" series helps you to you really understand whatever topic you may be interested in or perhaps studying for. This particular book explores the human mind and what it's capable of. I've been reading up on the complexities such as desires and the unconscious, perception and learning, and emotions and personality. Do we all have the same emotions? What are dreams? Why do we do the things we do? What is cognitive therapy? Cingulotomy? Both Doctor Lynda L. Warwick and Lesley Bolton have corroborated and produced a very entertaining and informative book to help expand the mind.

This is actually my second book that has to do with the field of Psychology; my first being Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy by Tao Lin. That book was a little confusing, but highly satisfying. It's a series of poems that Tao Lin attempts to explain the possible origins, ends, and cures of anger, worry, despair, obsession, and confusion, while concurrently experiencing those things in various contexts including a romantic relationship and the arbitrary nature of the universe. I'm going to be honest, I sort of copy and pasted that last part partly due to the fact that i just got home from my play rehearsal and the book is just too out there to explain at the moment, but nonetheless very creative.

Psychology may become a possible career choice down the road for it just perplexes me how we humans function. Apparently, I've heard that those who don't know what they want to major in or pursue they wind up taking psychology. I don't know whether that's true or false, but i know that it's definitely something i would consider. I've been enjoying this book a lot and it's great for anyone who would like to work in this field or who just wants to learn some new and interesting facts.

How to Become a Tennis Player

Backhand. Forehand. Serve. Mind.

These are the four main things needed to succeed and most of all have fun in the sport of tennis. You play soccer for 5 long years on a team that didn't speak to you for a week after failing to make a save as the goalie in one of the biggest games in your team's season. Having your father be one of the basketball coaches was not the greatest idea to begin with, but you endure 2 years with that. Karate was fun, however, and it taught you discipline as well as getting you into shape. So what's the problem? Desire. You are about to give hope on sports, but then your mom takes you to Sportime over in Roslyn to learn tennis. There is instant chemistry between you and the racquet. The instructor tells your mom, "they are made for each other."

A few weeks later, you are introduced to your first coach, Ralph. He makes you laugh uncontrollably and has a certain quality that puts you at ease and makes you tense simultaneously. He's a devoted individual who loves what he does. On occasion, your personalities clash and you go through your ups and downs throughout the years together. Fast forward over a decade later and you've grown so much as both a tennis player as well as a human being. At 37, Ralph still has a certain youthful energy about him and as you've grown older the conversations have become more mature and personal. He's not just a coach, he's a brother, a father and you are so better off from having him in your life. He tells you what you don't want to hear because he cares. He's a loyal, strong, and true individual.

You're past the point of grip changes, tinkering, how high your toss should be, how high the ball should be over the net and so on. The games stops becoming one of mechanics, but rather a game of minds. It's inevitable that you face pressure in a match, or in any sport for that matter, but it's what separates the legends from the amateurs on how one deals with it. Do you choke or crack under pressure? Or do you believe in yourself and your game to produce the goods? Emotions are illogical quite frankly and so when we are able to control our mental and emotional state and we possess confidence then beautiful things can happen. You still struggle with this for you expect too much of yourself. You briefly saw yourself on lawns of Wimbledon competing for the championship or at the U.S. Open being given a 5 minute standing ovation for all your years of service to the fans like Andre Agassi, but that dream has died unfortunately. However, the game will always be a part of your life because you love it. You are very cautious with that word "love" but you don't hesitate when it comes to tennis. Keep on playing.

It Comes From Within

Why do we read? Does it serve a purpose in life? If you've seen The Matrix Reloaded, Agent Smith constantly emphasized purpose and how everything was about him because he was just so special. Seriously, how narcissistic can one get? Anyways, there was a particular scene that i was reminded of while pondering why we read. Right before all the Smiths and Neo have that ridiculously hour long fight, Smith goes on to say," We're not here because we're free. We're here because we're not free. There is no escaping reason; no denying purpose. Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist. It is purpose that created us. Purpose that connects us. Purpose that pulls us. That guides us. That drives us. It is purpose that defines us. Purpose that binds us" So back to these things that, to many, seem as if they're being shoved down our throats: books. Why would one be so inclined to pick up a book and read word after word? Purpose. What kind of purpose may differ with each individual. Some people read just so that they can fall asleep quicker (guilty), some are actually entertained and enjoy opening their minds, some are forced and some do it in order to escape this cruel, cruel world by using their imagination.

Some are turned off by the thought of reading and i have to say that at times i understand why. Reading can be rather time consuming...actually that's probably the only real reason why i understand. For all those who complain about how boring their book is, that's something you can change and is just a waste of an excuse. And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying everyone has to read because some just weren't born to get lost in a book. However, there are a lot of benefits to be gained from challenging yourself. There is a lot to be learned just by living life so it's not like we need to be in school in order to expand our minds and gain knowledge. We don't need our Board of Ed making up the curriculum for us and choosing our chore books for English. We can just go out and see for ourselves what kind of books interest us. What's the worst that could happen? Absolutely nothing my friend! Keep in mind, however, that it's probably in your best interest that you actually sit down and read or skim a potential purchase. I've made that mistake once or twice and that'll won't be my last. I don't know how many times I've had to prioritize and cut down my choices of books so that i'm not broke as i walk out of Barnes and Noble. I want all of you who love Barnes and Noble to put ya hands up! Anyone? Alright, so that wasn't as smooth as i wanted, but i guess it's just being a newcomer to this blog thingymabober. Oh and my grammar is horrible. Yes, i am quite aware so just disregard all my mistakes because for the most part you know what I'm saying.

So where was I? Ah yes, I'm definitely not saying that those who read are better than those who don't, i'm just saying that it wouldn't hurt. Personally, i feel more confident, smarter, creative and open minded after each book i read. I like how i can connect to a particular character or situation. Sometimes it takes that one book to make the difference. I was never enthusiastic about reading because i was sort of a slow reader, which i still am, but as they say "practice makes perfect." I was a sophmore and at the time, i was really interested in massage therapy, but i didn't know much about the profession and all the different techniques and practices there were. So, to my surprise, i took a trip over to Barnes and Noble and did some searching. That really sparked my interest in reading.

I could sit here and keep on personalizing and writing how much we can benefit from reading, but after all is said and done the desire has to come from within you and only you. No one can force us to do anything that we don't want to do. We have the choice (that's actually debatable and a possible topic for a next post). But what about school? True, reading is a requirement and I'd never suggest this, but we still have that choice of not reading the chore books. Life's a trade off, if you read than you'll get better grades whereas if you choose not to than your grade suffers. Any who, it all comes down to desire and that is the message i try to get across in my pro-reading advertisement. All of the things listed from professions to behaviors to certain situations all have something to do with desire. Why was Roger Federer the best player in the world for five years? Because he wanted to be the best. Why did Angelina Jolie break up with Billy Bob? Because she had no desire to stay in the relationship. Why does one become a photographer, a teacher, etc? Because they want to. Well, since I've beaten that point to a pulp I think I shall sign off here. Twas fun. Keep it real.