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My Favorite Coping Skill

by Linda S. Plunkett, PhD

First of all, let’s describe why we would need to use coping skills. Life throws us many challenges. Our futures will inevitably present us with many unforeseen problems and issues which may temporarily throw us into a state of temporary panic as we feel anxious and unprepared to deal with the future. Coping skills, depending on whether we choose good ones or those not-so-good, may either help us or hinder us from ultimately finding resolutions to our problems.

I have learned through personal experience that procrastinating or putting off, or not dealing directly with the issue at hand many times only causes more problems down the road. Knowing the problem is still looming causes more anxiety.

Therefore, I have found that, personally, the best course of action for me is to face the issue head-on by using the following strategies:

  1. As I purposefully take calm breaths to ease my body and mind, I take time to journal or write down all the facts regarding the challenging situation at hand. Putting all the trauma in writing tends to bring me greater mental clarification regarding the situation that needs to be addressed.
  2. In conjunction with the above step, I also choose to further calm my mind and spirit by praying and
    taking the issue to God in prayer, asking for His wisdom and help to have a better understanding to deal with the issue at hand. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all.”
  3. Finally, as I have taken time to consider input from others or do further research, be open to possible
    solutions that present themselves, realizing that this too shall pass. Our problems are temporary. As
    my mother once reminded me, “There is a solution for every problem.”

Visit www.LindaSPlunkett.com to learn more about her story and her books.

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What If I Could?

Author: Lynne Harley

My writing experience of “What If You Could?” fills me with gratitude and humility. This book began as an idea that wouldn’t leave me alone. Price Pritchett’s words convinced me to take it to the finish line. He writes: “What if these are not just ideas, but divine inspirations searching for some mortal soul- YOU- to give them a fighting chance to become realized. That they are seeking to recruit someone who will embrace them with enough passion and courage to bring them into a material existence. What is regrettable is that each one of us has discounted and dismissed many wonderful possibilities only to see someone else embrace them and live out their magic.” I am so glad I decided to listen and allowed this book to be realized.

Today, “What If You Could?” was awarded a GOLD MEDAL from the Global Book Awards. This is a great book for every age, and a portion of each book sale will be gifted to jack.org in support of youth mental health. Thank you for sharing the love. For more about Lynne visit www.lynneharley.com

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Septemics

Author: Jim Marshall

Writing Septemics: Hierarchies of Human Phenomena presented several major challenges, but before I tell you about that, let me introduce you to Septemics.

Septemics is a philosophical science based on the fact that many phenomena related to Human Beings occur in a sequence of seven levels. Septemics comprises a collection of scales or sequences, each of which breaks down various human phenomena into a hierarchy of seven steps. There are thirty-five such scales, which span the spectrum of human experience, by which I mean any situation in the life of any person can successfully by analyzed by one or more of these scales. There are twenty-four scales which apply primarily to individuals, and eleven which apply primarily to groups. Each of these scales provides the user with an infallible way of determining the salutariness or beneficialness of any group, individual or activity. If the group, individual or activity moves persons or groups up these scales, it is beneficial or positive; if it moves them down, it is detrimental or negative. More importantly, just finding out what level you, another person or some group, is at is, by itself, enlightening and beneficial. Finally, once you know the actual level of a person or group, you can improve that person or group by moving them up one level (at a time). Each scale is an axis against which to evaluate human behavior. Combined, they empower one to understand, predict and manage human affairs to a degree hitherto unattainable by most.

First, I had to discover the Septemic phenomena. This took several decades. When I realized I had discovered an entirely new subject, I saw that I could go from helping people by the hundreds, which is what I was doing as a Human Development Engineer, to helping people by the millions, by sharing this discovery with them. 

I then faced the task of constructing a practical philosophic system from the data I had uncovered. This took twenty years. 

Next, I had the burden of expressing this data in a way that would make sense to the average reader. This required many years of rewriting. Overall, I spent twenty-five years writing this book, measured from the point when I realized I had discovered something revolutionary. To find out more, visit Septemics.com.

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Suzanne Renee – Guest

If you told me two years ago that I would write a book and be participating in a youtube interview about that book I would have told you “no way”. You see, I believed that because I hadn’t mastered life, no one would want to listen to me. I wasn’t famous, I wasn’t a celebrity. I didn’t have it all figured out just yet. That is what makes the Write or Die Show so special. It celebrates people who have had life challenges and now are seeing the other side of what can be possible in life.


Speaking to Randi-Lee was like sitting down and having coffee with a friend. She reminded me of why I wrote Conquering the Undertow in the first place. Life can be so much more than just existing, moving from one day to the next. When we stop questioning life, and instead just accept that this is how it is, are we living life or is life just happening for us?


I believe one of the best things you can do is observe how you relate to yourself.


● Where in life do you settle for a fine or ok experience?
● What physical symptoms do you just deal with as being part of your body?
● Do you accept all emotions as useful or feel disappointed in yourself when you feel sad or angry?


My best coping tip is to slow down and ask yourself how present you are being. When you walked home did you stop and notice the people around you or were you too consumed with your own thoughts. Stop and really taste that sandwich choosing to only focus on the hot bread in your mouth. I suffer from anxiety so I know this can be difficult but you need to train your brain. Stop running and take in the sunset. Feel the blood flowing through your veins.

For other transformative tips, check out Conquering the Undertow-Learning to Breathe Again to learn how to turn surviving into so much more.


https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Undertow-Learning-Breathe-Again/dp/B09HHMLK5S
Facebook and Instagram: SuzanneReneeauthor

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GUEST DOUG LAWRENCE

It was truly an honor to be a guest on Randi-Lee’s podcast Write or Die.

I always enjoy when a host can create a safe place for a conversation and that is exactly what Randi did. I was able to share some of my lived experiences, even those that were emotionally charged.

I particularly liked the term “Truth Bomb” that Randi used which focused on us speaking the truth. Shows such as Write or Die do just that as they provide a means for us to speak that truth.

I found it very easy to share my stories because Randi knew the right questions to ask to keep our conversation flowing. Her point about making bad decisions struck home for me on a number of fronts.

Relationships are important to us today in fact even more so with struggling with COVID and what that has done to our conversations and how we communicate. Having lost my wife and best friend to cancer in February of this year there is a void that I struggle to live with.

I touch on a lot of these issues in my second book which is entitled “You Are Not Alone” which is set to be published January 17th, 2022. The book speaks to mentoring and mental health and how mentoring can be a part of the support structure for mental health and mental well-being.

You can also take a look at my first book “The Gift of Mentoring” which is available on Amazon.ca. This will give you the foundation of mentoring processes and concepts.

If I could leave you with one thing that would be to “Ask for Help” – reach out and get the help you need to begin and continue your healing journey. 

Doug Lawrence