riversled's Blog

I had an experience as a child in first grade with bullying. There were some pretty insightful life lessons I learned through the experience. I wrote about it here. Check it out:


http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/09/lessons-learned-from-childhood.html

See how two teens, who have been abused themselves, take care of an abused horse? The issues of sexual abuse, physical abuse and adoption are no longer supressed as they get to know this new horse.

Check this out...you'll be glad you did!

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/10/sexual-traumahealing-horses.html

It was hidden in the rafters, the bedrooms, and throughout the house. Chad’s (not his real name) grandparents were finding p0rn0graphy everywhere. Unusual behavior for a 16-year-old boy? Not really. But the couple had a bad feeling about the boy’s behavior. Those feelings were confirmed when they began to find stolen underwear he’d hidden away.

Read more here:

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/family-secrets-true-story-of-courage.html 

 

When traveling, it’s often difficult to eat healthy. I’ve been traveling quite a bit… On this particular trip I noticed Brent was making an effort to eat healthy, and he had noticeably lost some weight over the last month or so. His commitment, self discipline and determination not only impressed me…but inspired me!

Read more:


http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/path-of-least-resistancea-runners-tale.html 



 

Picture if you will, a gymnasium with humming lights. Cheers after every play. Two girls volley ball games are going on at the same time. There is excitement and emotion in the air, for this is the championship tournament.

Read more here:
 
http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/04/life-lessons-from-teenage-vollyball.html 

I was sitting in Atlanta waiting for a flight to Bermuda. It was actually a work related trip and the conversation between my wife and I as I headed out the door was;

“Yes, it’s Bermuda. But, it’s a short stay and we will be in a workshop the whole time.”

“Oh…I’m crying crocodile tears!” she mocked.
 
Read more here:

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/peek-inside-interpreted-rock.html 

You see, Gabby was a lady in our neighborhood who was in her mid to late fifties, but looked and acted like she was much older. She had a history of mild mental health issues, but took advantage of people in the local church congregation to provide her care. She would fain-fainting spells during church meetings; attend with bandages and crutches and walkers. She requested that local women in the church help her clean her home and bring her meals. She was simply offensive in her mannerisms and her manipulation. She took advantage of others kindness. Many in the church avoided her. My mother however, took her under her wing.

Read more here:


http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/02/mothers-wisdom-lessons-for-teenage-boy.html 


 

“Bullet in my shoulder…blood…runnin’ down my vest. Twenty in the posse…and they’re never gonna let me rest! Till I became a wanted man I never even owned a gun. But now they hunt me like a mountain cat…and I’m always…Always…Always on the run! A wanted man…”
 
Read more here:

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/stairway-to-heaven-childhood-story_16.html 

The sky was beautiful. The pale morning light and wispy clouds glowed while the last shimmering stars started to fade. The pines were silhouetted against the horizon and the center line in the road pulsed past with a rhythmic beat.

 Read more here:

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/life-is-highwayi-want-to-ride-it-all.html 

In a previous post I discussed some of the physical aspects of ingesting alcohol. In this post I would like to share some of the emotional aspects of using alcohol and the effect it can have on our relationships. This is particularly important for teens since adolescence is a rough time of life to navigate anyway.
 
http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/teens-and-alcohol-relationship-on-rocks.html 

Families in the United Kingdom have an opportunity to meet and learn from an experienced consultant who understands how wilderness therapy can benefit troubled teens.

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/03/redcliff-ascent-assisting-families.html 



 

I find it interesting that when families, workplaces and communities discuss the dangers of alcohol, drunk driving and binge drinking seem to get all of the attention.

But what happens at the cellular level when we ingest alcohol?

Find out here:

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/02/i-find-it-interesting-that-when.html 


 

When teenagers start to struggle, the first thing to go are the relationships they have with parents, teachers, church leaders and other responsible adults in their lives. They tend to push those people away who really care the most.


http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/02/it-is-all-about-relationships.html 




 

I have never felt as helpless as I did this morning. I was stopped in traffic in a left hand turn lane. Traffic was humming by in all directions, people were busy...I was heading to work...

Read more here...

http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2011/01/good-samaritans-are-among-us-true-story.html


 

Whether you realize this or not, you may be helping your children to become resilient. If you can understand the concept of resiliency, you will gain the awareness necessary to raise your children to be more resilient. So, what is resilience? 

Read more here:


http://www.crisiscounseling.com/Articles/BuildingResiliencyChildren.htm

Yesterday I was working on a video shoot at another program that is part of the RedCliff Ascent Family. I turned from Bill, the photographer, to see a student crossing the room towards me with a look of friendly surprise on his face...

Read more here


 .....http://oxbowacademy.net/archives/2053 
 

Clan of the Hand is sort of like the Hall of Fame for wilderness therapy. Held at the RedCliff kiva, it honors the men and women who have been industry pioneers. Their work is recognized as the foundation of a profession that has changed the lives of thousands of families. In honor of their leadership, RedCliff invites these individuals to a ceremony where they leave their handprint on the kiva walls, just as they have left their influence on our lives.

Learn more here with this short 3 min video. Check it out...

http://www.redcliffascent.com/video/index.php?video=Clan_of_the_Hand

I went to Oxbow Academy today to shoot *equine imprinting. It’s a fancy term for the simple process of handling a new baby horse while it is only days old in order to help the horse feel comfortable with human touch. The theory goes that if the little one is used to having his ears rubbed, hooves examined, and face stroked he won’t be frightened when it comes time to wear a halter or be treated by a vet. Horse professionals say the animal won’t run from humans entering the corral. Instead, he’ll greet them. Sounded good to me. But what does this kind of horse theory have to do with teen boys who have been victims of sexual abuse, many of whom have, in turn, touched others inappropriately. How does this help them?

Read more here...

http://oxbowacademy.net/archives/2015

 “I’m going to do whatever I want and I don’t care any more.” That’s how Emily T. describes her attitude in the spring of 2008. “My life was falling apart before RedCliff. I was into a lot of heavy drugs and drinking. I had a lot of issues with self-harm. I didn’t know who I was and I didn’t want to know who I was.” 

http://www.redcliffascent.com/blog/?p=74 

Some longitudinal studies, several of which follow individuals over the course of a lifespan, have consistently documented that between half and two-thirds of children growing up in families with mentally ill, alcoholic, abusive, or criminally involved parents or in poverty-stricken or war-torn communities do overcome the odds and turn a life trajectory of risk into one that manifests “resilience,” the term used to describe a set of qualities that foster a process of successful adaptation and transformation despite risk and adversity. 

Read more here...

http://www.discoveryranch.net/educational-articles/fostering-resilience-in-children/