Laura L Tran

If you want to know the truth of how America started as a country, how capitalism, the economy, thrives on the sweat and pains of slaves (and I think in modern days on the labors of women and minorities), how White men in power created a false history and reality that we came to believe in. And so much more... About how things came to be, how American music was shaped, how banking institutions practice racism, etc. Basically, how racism really is systemic in America. Listen ...to the Podcast called 1619, produced by The New York Times. At least the first two episodes! The first slaves came to American shores in August 1619, 400 years ago. This series is told in a very respectful and balanced way...easy to listen to, easy to understand, told like a story. While controversial, the producers stand by the facts they present in their research for this series. Thanks to one of my sisters who told me about this series! I loved it. I listened to them via an app called "Podcast Addict" where I can speed up the audio. https://art19.com/shows/1619

Covid-19 Meditation: I hope you are well, staying healthy physically and mentally! Upon early return from my vacation, I have been under the weather. I am fighting off a virus, but my doctor can't tell which one it is. Testing wouldn't do anything at this point for me she said (plus it's nearly impossible to get a test now), as it wouldn't change how I would be treated, which is at home since I'm healthy. ... I am human too, and I can get anxiety when my physical symptoms are bad. So I came up with this image for us to meditate on, in regards to the Covid-19 virus. For my clients, walk yourself through the steps I taught you to enter a meditative state where you access your subconscious mind. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly, focusing on your inner world, shutting out the outer world. You can listen to relaxing music while doing this, or to a guided meditation, such as one of the free ones on Headspace app, in my previous post. Then imagine you are in your healing place. In this place, you can ask the Universe or God (whatever your belief may be), what lesson does the Coronavirus (pandemic) have for me? And what is it I must do or change to get the key to unlock and deactivate the virus? Just see the answers....and do not let your rational monkey mind be in the lead. That part needs to relax. You may see someone giving you the key. Maybe it's a higher power. Maybe it's you or your higher self. You take the key, see yourself committing to what you must do, and using the key, you deactivate the virus. At some point, if you think you have the viruses in your body, you might imagine a gazillion keys or antibodies unlocking and neutralizing/destroying all of the Covid-19 viruses. Or you can imagine the keys helping to neutralize the viruses for other people too, maybe even for all of earth. At the very least, this visualization gives you a sense of control over your thoughts. But there is strong evidence that suggests that our mind-body do not know the difference between real and imagined reality, especially in a meditative state. I hope this is helpful. I should be fully recovered in a few days, and see you soon! Take good care of yourself!

Believe in yourself. Reclaim your power. Remember who you are, your truth. Many lives, many lifetimes, across time and space... Heal them all by sharing your light.... Inspired by one of my spiritual teachers, a couple of weeks ago.

Headspace app is offering free meditations for everyone to help us deal with this high anxiety time on our planet. For healthcare providers, they are giving a free subscription until the end of this year. Take care of yourself and I'll be in touch. Go to this link: https://www.headspace.com/covid-19

My 10 year-old son pointed out to me that there is a Black Lives Matter booklist for kids at the online Hawaii Public Library!! Chances are, there is one where you live. When books are free to read, there is no excuse for us to not educate ourselves and our children on racism and what it's like to walk in the shoes of a Black American. It would only help us feel more compassion and empathy for others and ourselves, experience greater self-esteem, feel connected, and therefo...re feel happiness and joy. Apps to use are Libby and Sora, that I know of. You only need a library card. Hawaii libraries are also now allowing online holds for books. When they come in to the library you choose, you can schedule a time to pick them up! I am passionate about helping to bring awareness and change towards racial equality, gender equality, greater mental health, among other issues. In regards to the Black Lives Matter movement, there are a million ways for you to make a difference. Some of my White clients are feeling guilty. You don't have to. Just DO something, no matter how big or small... Speak out, talk about racism, share, donate, read, listen, self educate, vote, send a prayer or good intention, pay it forward, spend your money on Black businesses, teach your kids about privilege and social responsibility.... Jimmy Carter's statement on George Floyd protests, "silence can be as deadly as violence." Stay safe and healthy! Laura

Thanks to Cathy Malchioldi, teacher of Expressive Arts Therapy, for this. There are so much more you can add to those lists too, such as listening to music, singing, getting a massage, etc. Take especially good care of yourself during Covid-19!

And this is why we go to therapy, for greater and deeper understanding, always reaching for more love and wisdom.

Besides terrible things happening, this pandemic is also inspiring a lot of good new things in the world. A lot of people are collaborating and creating new things, and giving to society in new ways. We will learn to live creatively, because we have to now. After sleeping in yesterday, I felt ready to do something creative. I needed a reusable mask, so I found a pattern and instructions from the University of Hawaii to make one. This morning, instead of doing my meditation or... art journaling, I decided to make a second mask as my art practice. The one that says, "Save Lives". These masks have pockets to add filters to them, making them a little more functional. You can also use double sided fabric tape on the edges to make them close up gaps and make them almost like N95 masks. After making masks for my 3 sisters, I will make masks for hospitals if they need me to. My kids are helping too. I think Hawaii is stepping up big time to make masks for hospital workers. My husband said he saw a crazy long line like those at Costco, at a fabric store this morning! Go Hawaii! I am newish to sewing, so if I can do it, so can you (if you have a sewing machine). If you need supplies, let me know. I can mail some to you, until I run out. If I didn't have a job right now, I think I'd enjoy making functional fashion masks, with pro-social statements, as my new job! I hope to inspire you to try something new, stretch yourself to be creative. You will end up feeling so energized by it! Here is the link to the pattern and video instructions : https://www.hawaii.edu//03/30/uh-sewing-masks-calls-for-h/ When you so something altruistic, you gain happiness and calm, and a better immune system, It's a scientific fact.

We want to be seen for who we are...Do we see others for who they are inside? This question came up in one of my sessions this past week. It made me ponder about how it could apply to me too. How much time do I spend seeing my loved ones for who they are inside? Do I really know them the way they wish to be known? Do I feel the nuances of their feelings, and sense their evolution? I can do better. Being in quarantine is good to slow me down, to appreciate all the people in m...y life at an even deeper level than before. And I don't know about you, but when I feel this feeling of having a beginner's mind, of knowing there is so much I don't know and can learn...about someone, something...I feel a magical sensation, that there are many worlds out there to explore...the journey is exciting! This week, among other things, I've enjoyed seeing friends showing their inspiring talents, and exotic and delicious hobbies on social media. This can be surface stuff, but if I sit and meditate for a few moments on them, I can sense the things that drive them and make them happy, and sense their happiness and uniqueness. When we gaze into the other's eyes long enough, we can feel them. As a therapist, I am lucky. I get to deeply see and feel my clients every day. And there is always goodness there, when we shift our lens to see clearly at an issue. We can only "really feel" when we slow down. Otherwise we may be projecting our thoughts and feelings onto the other, and we do not see them for who they truly are. I don't want to live my life to only come to the end, and wish I had spent more time loving the people in my life. So note to self... Slowing down is being loving. It is not being lazy nor unproductive. It may just be the most productive thing we do!

We are born with an ego to help us navigate being in human body, to stay safe, to judge and discern, and physically belong. But the ego is dictated by the rules of society and is just a layer of our existence. Often, this layer is fraught with negativity and pain. It tells us we need things, to do things, that go against our own inner knowing of what is loving. It is just trying to survive. Let’s remember the ego is just a part of us, like a child we need to take good care of. In truth, we are greater than our ego. We are our soul. Our soul has infinite power, and it is connected to ALL.

I visited one of my BFFs yesterday (the ocean), and when I do, synchronicities happen...I met these high vibrational friends. We are starting a group for alternative healers. Something like that, right Jason? The meeting of powerful minds and hearts...I am excited thinking of the things we can accomplish TOGETHER!

Our shadows are our self-inflicted limitations, our unhealed "parts" from experiences that hurt us. In my work, I help you have a meaningful relationship with your "parts," and transform them.

Are you a MULTIPOTENTIALITE? Someone who is passionate about many things, learns quickly, is very adaptible, and naturally synthesize ideas from various fields? If so, you may still be wondering, "what should I do when I grow up?!" A lot of my clients seem to be multipotentialites. I know I am. I want to reassure you that even though our culture may not understand us and support us, preferring we choose one thing and stick to it, we bring unique value to society. Especially i...n the post Covid-19 world...the ability to creatively and quickly bring solutions to unprecedented problems by integrating various fields/perspectives, talents, skills, answers is necessary for the future survival of humanity. People who stick to one thing, Specialists, are also valuable... But we all know that already. I watched this Ted Talk a couple of years ago, and remembered it today after my kids took their personality tests, and their results suggest to me "multipotentialite" traits, being very close to being 50/50 on each of the Myers Briggs scales. At least 3 of my clients this week also talked about having passions that are very diverse and not knowing what to do. Check out this Ted Talk to better understand either yourself, or someone you love, who may be wired "to be everything!" Emilie Wapnick's website Puttylike.com may be helpful to you figuring out how to be the best you, a unique multipotentialite! Have a good weekend!