Group Session Notes: July 2026

Another sign that procrastion remains; it is my oldest vice.

7/3:

Self-assurance or inner peace.

Steps to:

1. Think of yourself less often
2. Live according to values. Integrity plays a big role.
3. Get good at what matters to you.

[Ah, values. Nietzsche trashed Western values over a century ago. Nihilism rises out of their lack. Integrity dissipates when values are shown to be worthless. When society values hypocrisy, when society values the grifter and the performance over the substance, then integrity must be able to subsist in the desert. Nihilism leaves only destruction of one's self, of the world, as the only thing that matters. The only way I found to get out from under my nihilism was to have a complete breakdown, a return to the consolations of philosophy (starting with Aristotle and David Hume), reforging a will to live my life on my own terms, and ended with me entering the Eastern Orthodox Church. sch 8/15/26]

Live with integrity makes life better, not being ashamed.

[See Albert Camus's The Rebel. See Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. sch 8/15/26]

How to get out of your head -

1. grounding
1. form of attentiuon mindfulness - goal is to be present in the moment.
2. mindful eating (been here before) 
2. Actuall practicing gratitude 

7/10

2 pillars of well-being

1. spiritual
2. social supports

Ecological model

For Americans only

1. time
2. political
3. culture

Next

1. Local government

Micro:

1. Soap opera: become dramatic

[A diagram was provided, which I cannot properly replicate Think of 6 circles. The first is ME. The second is labeled MICRO SYSTEM and contains family, school, work, friends, and major investments; the next is labeled MESO SYSTEM, and my notes show no content; the thrid circle is EXO SYSTEM and contains local government, parents, friends, mass media, and extended family; the last system has the title MACRO and contains social norms, economy, culture, and political system. I think its presumptions are clear, but what strikes me most is an assumption of impenetrability, a rigid hierarchy instead of an active, flowing pluralism of influences. It does help in a simplistic presentation,and maybe the creator found inspiration in Dante. sch 8/15/26.]

7/17

5 A's of healthy relationships

1. Attention: communicating value; listen - them be misunderstood [That is what I wrote and I do not think it can be right. sch 8/15.] 
2. Acceptance
3. Appreciation - for efforts, contributions
4. Affection - every expression of warmth and care
5. Allowing - not same as enabling

[This made me think of JH. We had more of this than I had with A-.]

Love = best for everyone

Will = set of principles need aligned

Healthy differentation

Everybody keeps their identity throughout the relationship.

Good opposite of co-dependence.

co-dependence

people pleasing

people policing

from Passionate Marriage. 

 brain wired to new people, to keep them around. focus on pleasing them.

People policing - opposite of allowing

Brain is built 1st of all for empathy; acknowledge and appreciate differences.

Our insecurities are a mirror of ourselves.

Not partners responsibility to fix your deficits.

If you don't love yourself, properly won't love others. 

Personal passions.

7/31

For some reason, I do not have notes for 7/31. My recollection is that all we did was talk and the weekly check-in so as not to be too far ahead of the other classes.

sch

8/15