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Sherapy with Sherry Amatenstein

I am so proud and excited to be introducing you to a new podcaster who will begin with us in January 2020. Her name is Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW, who is an NYC-based psychotherapist and author. Sherry will be creating SHERAPY, and you can read all about this right here on the website. 

In keeping with the theme of awareness and finding the path to travel or detour in life, this nationally known psychotherapist will be sharing your stories with our listeners. Sometimes it is easier to be anonymous (faceless, nameless) when you begin to open up. I agree with Sherry; we must not be afraid of what we think our frailties are; instead, we must strengthen our inner selves to love life to the fullest.

If you have a story or want to share issues, please contact us here at newclevelandradio.net, and your information will be sent on to Sherry Amatenstein. You need not reveal any information to us other than a name and email so Sherry may connect with you.

Sherry portraits

2020 is going to be a big year for all of us at newclevelandradio.net, and you don’t need to be in Cleveland, Ohio, to become part of the big picture, your PORTRAIT!

We R Family

Family, you can’t live without them, and sometimes you can’t live with them.  The Norman Rockwell family portrait is just one vision of what most of us wishes our family looked like.  However, the reality of life and our ever-growing global society often separates us from each other.  It is not just the distance in miles; it also includes perceptual thinking.  We no longer are living in small communities where we are governed by our family, following in the footsteps of dad, and maintaining the same traditions for decades.  The baby boomer generation has been the catalyst in making some significant changes in the family, and some are for the good and others, well personally I am not sure.

I am the youngest of three children and growing up the distance in age as well as sexual orientation separated us.  Being the female girl in a Jewish home, my mother had certain beliefs for me that did not pertain to my brothers.  Although we were not a religious Jewish family there was still the underlying belief that the males (my brothers) were more important than I.  Do not feel sorry for me because in no way was I abused or misused, but there were different expectations for each of us and even more so by birth order.

 

 

 

My older brother Gary was expected to be a shining example for his younger siblings, Joel and me, and when he chose to ruffle feathers, finding himself in the scheme of the things he took the brunt of may have felt like verbal abuse.  Growing up in the 50s and 60s is nothing like it is growing up today.  On the other hand my brother Joel, the middle child was encouraged to be the life of the party and shine his talent and brilliance where Gary and I may have lacked.  As I look back now, this must have been a burden for him, as none of us are perfect.  I, on the other hand, the baby and the girl was expected to be the princess (my Grandmother Jen labeled me that).  When dressing up in pinafores and fancy girlie dresses I may have given the appearance of one, but I too was not the fairest in the land.

My brothers and I grew up as close as we could with the age gaps of 4 – 8 years.  As young adults, we all lived in different states which meant that holiday time or Sunday dinners were not the traditional Rockwell Painting.  When we did get together, we united as families do and occasionally had some rip-roaring conversations that certainly did not resemble the harmonious family.  Yet, we created our own music despite some off-key tones, even my brother Joel couldn’t always engineer our voices melodically.

I love my brothers, and I cherish the times we have had, and hopefully, the future will provide us additional opportunities to break bread and celebrate like the one in the above painting.  Today I celebrate my love and concern for my brother Joel.  Despite the fact he says his eye surgery is fairly routine and only sounds disgusting, I pray for a full recovery.  As families go, he had not shared this venture in life and only through a mutual friend did I learn of this event, happening as I write this out.  Mother, father, brothers, and sisters too often assume that those of us who care need not be told about these minor (or major) situations.  However, I believe when you are family by blood or adapted to be part of the circle, there is no need for secrets or protection.  It is time to put any differences aside and come together even if it is not sitting at the family table together!

Happiness IS

 

Believe in happiness.  Life is a gift and what we do with each second is our choice.  We must remember that in order to live in a cohesive environment we must respect others as well as ourselves.  There is no complete solitude in the cosmos; we are uniquely engaging with life forms of various geniuses that we must be aware of and accommodate for the differences that can only make us stronger in our achievement of happiness.

 

Happiness is not just a mood with a smiling face, emoji.  It is a state of mind that we allow ourselves to experience and share.  It cannot be described as perfect or not; it is more like a choice to achieve satisfaction even on a grey and gloomy day.  It is important to understand that we cannot depend on anyone or anything to provide joyfulness.  We are the bearers of our own choices, and the results are defined by the path we take.

 

There is no right or wrong when we choose to live and achieve the best for ourselves while lighting the way for others to observe and follow if they wish.  However, our path is not the only one that will lead forward; there are many forks in the road.

 

 

 

 

 

Which one will you travel?

The Empowerment Journey

If you leave in Cleveland, Ohio or any other Midwest or Northern state having a snowstorm is not unusual this time of year.  It’s funny, growing up in Detroit, Michigan, we had a lot of snow in the winter. much more than what we have today, and yet we never stopped.  But many of us here are hunkered down.  My Beetle will not make it out of the garage the snow is so deep, and my condo sub-division has no idea when we will get plowed.  Alex’s car is under siege by the snow, and there is a layer of ice under the snow.  I guess back in the day we had warmer clothing, studs on our tires and a STUDDLY BURLY guy in our home or down the block who was always available and able to shovel someone out.  I’m not complaining but sharing how soft so many of us have become, myself included.

Four years ago I fell on the ice during the winter and broke my femur requiring surgery and two weeks in rehab.  I refuse to put myself in that same position. Therefore I am willing to be soft!  But with softness comes empowerment and my theme for today is empowering myself to accept what is!  When we empowered we give ourselves the opportunity to become stronger and more confident in our choices.  For me, I am making choices that make me happy without contributing to someone else’s unhappiness.

A special thanks to Candace Pollock of the Intentionality Gurus,  Candace has guided me through her bi-weekly podcast with newclevelandradio.net to listen to my overactive brain and allow my heart and soul to respond, if necessary.  The words, “if necessary” is my personal mantra, not everything is necessary just because my thoughts dictate it at the moment.[i]

Katie the Carlady soon to be podcasting with newclevelandradio.net.  Katie will be bringing coffee and cars to our venue.  Katie’s backstory has been a journey that has led her to be an influential individual for many, and many of those individuals may never have met her.  She is full of energy and brings out the best in others.  I have only known Katie for a year, and yet I am mesmerized by her.  For the first time in my life I am not wishing to be her, but to capture her dynamism and light my drive.

CANCER SUCKS, and I hope I will never have to experience the cobblestone path Melinda has traveled.  However, she brightens my smile and my approach to health and wellness.  Melinda posts Facebook Live moments regarding the “Heart Mojo,” the spirit and words she will share in her upcoming podcasts in February!  Melinda as well as Katie, and Candace will be joining me in a new venture that kicks off this Wednesday night.

Please join us, Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019, at Vista Springs, Greenbriar, in Parma, Ohio.  We will be hosting a Meet & Greet for women and men that have a story (personal journey) to share that will enlighten the lives of others.  It’s time for each one of us to shed the angst from the fall out around us and seek a path that will allow us to live with heart.  We must let our heart and soul fill our brain with the peace and lightness we all deserve.  Please feel free to join us at 6 pm – 8:30 pm where Vista Springs will host the event, bringing us together for the “Empowerment Journey.”

The “Empowerment Journey,” this is your chance to share, learn, and be the person you want to be. 

[i] (https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-intentionality-gurus-with-candace-2018) & (https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-intentionality-gurus-candace-2019)