Have you ever procrastinated about a certain task or situation? Both you and I fell into the trappings of taking it easy every now and then. Here’s a simple exercise you can do to overcome the procrastination!

Step 1: Imagine a picture or an image of you procrastinating – avoiding – the task you are meant to do. In this picture, see the colours vividly. Notice the size, the emotions attached. Let’s make this picture more interesting – add sounds to it. Whatever sound or words you hear coming from this picture. If a thought comes to you, put it in this photograph with any other sensation you may feel when you procrastinate.

Step 2: This picture of procrastination, where is it in relations to your body? Can you physically point to it? It can be in front of you, beside you, hovering above your head or beneath you. Where do you point when you have the picture in mind and it feels right? Any location is perfect.

Step 3: Take a deep breath and clear away all the emotions, the sounds, the sensations and any remnants of the picture.

Step 4: Think about something you love to do. Something you would do no matter what! Think of how this thing just gets your heart beating faster and faster as the adrenaline fills your veins. More and more you think of this image of the activity, notice the sounds you hear: sounds of gratification and satisfaction. Feel what you feel when you’re doing this passion of yours. Make this picture as clear as can be. So clear and so strong the vibes that you now want to jump off your chair and start doing this wonderful task! Where is this Picture of Action? Point physically to where you see and feel it is.

Step 5: Again, take deep breath and clear away everything: the sensation, the vibes, the emotions, the picture, the sounds, the taste and even smell! Take several deep breaths and cool down.

Step 6: Recall where you saw, hear, feel, smell and tasted the 1st picture, the Picture of Procrastination, before you continue. Remember the position. Move this picture along with the sensations from where it now is to where the Picture of Action is. You may want to use your hands to physically move the Picture of Procrastination. Closing your eyes can be useful. Repeat doing this five (5) times – making sure all the emotions, vibes, colours and image, move together in synchronicity. You may feel awkward at first, but more and more you do, you will notice that it becomes easier with every try. Every time the Picture of Procrastination reaches where the Picture of Action is, notice the change of emotions, perception and vibe.

Notice what happens when you think about the task you put off more often than once. That was easy, right? Now you have a simple and powerful tool to turn procrastination into action.

by Sylvia Tan

Avoid telling clients they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments, the world’s largest association of psychologists tells mental health professionals.

Mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments, says the American Psychological Association in a press statement released on Aug 5.

The Washington-based association, which represents more than 150,000 members, presented a 138-page report at the group’s annual meeting in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday.
The "Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts" also advises that parents, guardians, young people and their families avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services "that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth."
"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Judith M. Glassgold, chairwoman of the task force that presented the report.
"At most, certain studies suggested that some individuals learned how to ignore or not act on their homosexual attractions. Yet, these studies did not indicate for whom this was possible, how long it lasted or its long-term mental health effects. Also, this result was much less likely to be true for people who started out only attracted to people of the same sex."
The association said some research suggested that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.
The 6-member task force examined the peer-reviewed journal articles in English from 1960 to 2007, which included 83 studies. Most of the studies were conducted before 1978, and only a few had been conducted in the last 10 years. The group also reviewed the recent literature on the psychology of sexual orientation.
"Unfortunately, much of the research in the area of sexual orientation change contains serious design flaws," Glassgold said. "Few studies could be considered methodologically sound and none systematically evaluated potential harms."
The association urged proponents of reparative therapy (also known as the ex-gay movement), many of whom are known to be aligned with Christian-based beliefs or groups, to consider multiple options, which could include celibacy and switching churches, for helping clients live spiritually rewarding lives in instances where their sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.
Two of the largest organisations in the world promoting reparative therapy are Focus on the Family through its Love Won Out programme and Exodus International with an affliated network of groups internationally whose chief message is “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.”

Rev Steve Parelli (right) and his partner of 12 years Jose Ortiz are slated to give two talks about Christianity and homosexuality in Cheras, Malaysia and Bangkok on Aug 13 and Aug 28 respectively.

Reverend Steve Parelli of the MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches) in New York, who describes himself as ex-ex-gay, says the news should not come as a surprise to the evangelical ex-gay supporters who have read the books of the ex-gay writers themselves; some of whom including ex-gay leader Andrew Comiskey who himself revealed that he continues to "lust" after men even after 20 years of marriage to a woman. [For details, click onto the 'Ex-Gay Ministries in their very own (sorry)' link below.]
Speaking with Fridae in Singapore where he is on a Southeast Asian tour speaking tour and meeting with evangelical churches, Rev Parelli highlighted that the evangelical ex-gay movement in fact  "does not, in the fine print, claim to change sexual orientation."
"To be clear, the evangelical ex-gay movement uses catch words like ‘ex-gay,’ ‘healing,’ ‘coming out of homosexuality.’ But it is a bait-and-switch sell. Upon close examination of what the evangelical ex-gay movement teaches, any one who will give a simple read of their major writings will see that the evangelical ex-gay movement is teaching ‘behaviour modification’ not change of one’s sexual orientation. The evangelical ‘ex-gay’ leaders teach in their writings that the ‘change’ they are talking about is a life-long process that involves multiple disciplines from accountability to rigorous spiritual disciplines.
"This is obviously not change," says Rev Parelli who is the Executive Director of Other Sheep, a worldwide volunteer, non-profit ecumenical Christian organisation with a mission to empower sexual minorities.
Glassgold’s advice: "We recommend that psychologists be completely honest about the likelihood of sexual orientation change, and that they help clients explore their assumptions and goals with respect to both religion and sexuality."

A copy of the task force report may be obtained from http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/therapeutic-response.pdf.

Related Links

• APA press statement: Insufficient evidence that sexual orientation change efforts work
• Other Sheep
• MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches)
• Ex-Gay Ministries in their very own (sorry) words

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