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LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

Scams Going On During COVID-19

5/21/2020

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I would not usually post something like this on my professional website but this happened to someone I know. I felt like it was important enough to warrant a post. It is occurring in our area and quite likely around the US.

Beware of a potential scam in our area where men are claiming to be officers with local police departments working with the federal court system attempting to execute a warrant for your arrest for failing to appear in court. The scammers advise that there is a Gag Order in place prohibiting the victim from telling anyone of the situation, even their lawyers. The caller is kept on an open line while walked through several steps to rectify the situation. The caller then attempts to persuade the victim to send money to clear the victim’s warrant and avoid immediate arrest for failure to comply.

The perpetrators of this scam are very knowledgeable about the victim’s background and even uses numbers associated with local police departments and names associated with local police officers. It is very elaborate with many moving parts.

DO NOT BE FOOLED. Neither the federal courts nor the state courts work like this. Importantly, an individual is always entitled to speak with their lawyer. So, if you are told otherwise, it is a guaranteed scam. And the police will not call you about a warrant, they will come to your door.

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IDEAS For THRIVING Through These Times

4/16/2020

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For so many families or single people, this is a time of hardship.  People are either staying home and losing wages or working reduced hours.  It is estimated that 73% of the United States is impacted financially by the social distancing that is necessary at this time.  While there is help on the way, it is not here yet.  Now is the time to help neighbors in need and remember anyone who might be less fortunate. If you have extra, whether that is food, toilet paper, talent or time, give where you are able.

​One of my best friends is going through chemo during this horrible time.  While she is having her own battle with fatigue and other symptoms, she has taken the time to think of others and has begun making masks. These will be shared workers in the medical field, family members and other cancer patients. 


Our food pantries and churches continue to play a pivotal role in the community. If you have some food to spare, drop it off where it can do some good.  Our local food pantry will allow for people to drop off and they will come out and pick it up after you leave.  It is a good idea to call ahead and see the best time to take deliveries.  When they are serving or preparing meals, sometimes they have difficulty sending someone out.  


Have your family adopt someone who does not have family in the area - whether they are in a nursing home, hospital or a person who is normally shut in without the Coronavirus.  Contacting one of these can afford your family the opportunity to send cards, drawings or other kindnesses to someone who has no one at this time when we are separated from everyone.  

KEEPING THE KIDS MOVING:
Give the kids something to do which will help them get out the wiggles.  

https://www.thelittlegym.com

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=little+gym+at+home

THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO TAKE SOME CONTROL OVER YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Making A Schedule:
~Some people have set hours that they have to work due to customer service hours or job requirements.  Others are more fluid.  Having a set schedule with breaks and a lunch time away from your “work area” will help your brain and body recharge each day.  

Organizing Something That Will Make You Smile:
~If you have something that has been in need of organization, take time to do it.  If you have difficulty staying with a project, start small.  Take a portion of the project and do that.  Or give yourself 30 minutes, work on it, then stop and go back later for another 30 minute session.  

There are many suggestions on Pinterest on how to organize everything.  My suggestion is that you set a timer for being on Pinterest.  It is a black hole that can suck your time away from you.  

~Take a 10-minute break to do some light breathing exercises. Purposeful, mindful breathing has been shown to be an effective tool against anxiety.

~Consider limiting your coronavirus news consumption. It’s important to stay informed, but updating feeds constantly for news on COVID-19 isn’t productive. Instead, check the CDC website for updates periodically and try to spend most of your day focused on other things.  Find things that make you smile.

~Talk to your friends and family. It’s important in this situation of increased social isolation, that you stay in touch with people. Reach out to a friend by phone — or better yet — a video chat.

These are all things that can be helpful in maintaining a healthier you during this time.
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Dealing with the Daily Grind

3/27/2020

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In our current situation requiring close proximity to our families, there are challenges that we may not expect.  While many of us think we would enjoy time to be at home with our kids or our spouses or just to be alone, “forced togetherness” can change our perspective. Time together without a plan can leave us with frayed nerves, hurt feelings, frustrations and unmet expectations.  

One idea that will be beneficial during this time would be for every person in the house to understand their individual responsibilities. Whether it is children with a school schedule who need planned activity breaks or a parent who is working from home who requires time to organize their thoughts or make a plan for the house to run smoothly, everyone needs to prioritize. This may look different for each family.  

For children, if strict adherence to an academic schedule is stressful, take breaks.  Most parents are not professional educators.  That is OK.  Do what you need to in order to survive this time with your family and sanity intact. 
~Do something creative.  Finger-paint, play with play doh or make a picture out of beans and macaroni with glue.
~Have them collect pine cones, leaves and twigs, small rocks to incorporate into a craft later.  
~Let them do a scavenger hunt around the yard or house.  
~For younger kids, let them move with Born to Move by Les Mills on Demand. 

For adolescents or adults:  Everyone needs time to breathe and relax.  
~Find a new hobby.  
~Be creative.  Draw, paint, or write.
~Stay off of social media.  Comparing what you are doing during this time with what others do is not enlightening nor is it productive.  For many it makes them feels like they are somehow missing out or are in some way inferior.
~Take an online yoga class. Surrender & breathe deep.
~Watch videos of historical, successful people. Albert Einstein, Emily Dickens, Frederick Douglas, Helen Keller, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Goodall, Leonardo da Vinci, Malala
~Write a letter to yourself in the future.  Put it somewhere and give yourself a reminder in your calendar to look at it in 5 years. ~Reach out to the people who inspire you.  You can write to them, send them a text or email saying what they mean to you.
~Write the birthdays of your personal heroes in your planner & work out a way to honor them on that day.
~Take a free class online.  There are thousands.  Learn something new.  Cooking, art, knitting, woodworking, photography, etc. ~Cook a new recipe.  Present it to your family as if you are on a cooking show.

Trying these or other ways of relaxing and redirecting one's attention can decrease stress and help families adjust during this time of isolation.  

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    Marcia Barksdale

    Counselor, wife, mom, grandma, aunt, friend.  Love to create in many forms - cooking, crafts, woodworking, writing and random things.  Cannot knit or crochet and sewing is iffy.

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  • Home
  • Life As We Know It
  • Therapists
    • MARCIA C. BARKSDALE, LPC-S, BC-TMH, NCC >
      • MARCIA'S CLIENT PAPERWORK
    • DAVID CAMINITI, MA MFTC, LPC >
      • DAVID'S CLIENT PAPERWORK
    • JANELL HARVEY, LPC >
      • JANELL'S CLIENT PAPERWORK
  • General Resources
    • Eating Disorder Resources
    • Substance Abuse Resources
    • Hotline #s
  • Contact
  • Directions