Hi Unique, that is a good question with a not so good answer. As a social worker, I facilitated groups for abused women. Across the hall, a group for "men who batter" was conducted. These men were court ordered to attend the weekly sessions and had to pay a fee to be there. The man who faciliated the men's group was an ex-marine and a chaplain. I asked him how he measured the success of the program. He said that there was no good way to measure it, that he really did not know who went home to offend repeatedly, unless of course the abused women pressed charges again. I asked the facilitator what his rewards are, considering the high recidivism rate of abusers. His said he can only hope that his program helped. I know of one woman whose father attended the program, and she reported it did help him to change and break the cycle of abuse because he was 1) voluntary 2) in counseling. So the motivation to change was different for this man. The restorative justice system claims that victim statements presented to abusers help. I was invited to present a victim statement to a prison group, but I could not go through with it, even though I would have had a nun turned social worker, a warden, and a chief of police to escort me. I could not face a group of batterers in the prison environment. My professional and personal opinion is that men who abuse don't change, unless divine intervention is involved. The bottom line is that it is the victims who have to change their enviornment. I'm sorry for the unfortunate response.

I was very impressionable when it came to politics, culture, and sub-culture of the 1960's. Here's from the book:***In 1969, the country was in the midst of a cultural revolution in protest of the Vietnam War, and to bring attention to civil rights and the women’s movement. Social activists staged sit-ins and political militants motivated moratoriums. The mottoes were “Tune in, turn on, drop out,” “Sex, drugs, and rock and roll,” and “Don’t trust anyone over thirty.”***Who else was affected by the pop-culture? Now, I do march to my own beat, but back then, I didn't know which way to go, which protest or parade to get involved in. I always had a sense of danger, but that was also my view of the world as a scary place. Since the fear has subsided, I am better able to pick and choose my projects concerning society. How about you?

I was much more adventurous then than I am now. I wanted to go to Woodstock (but my mom wouldn't let me)
"Tune in, Turn on, Drop out" has become:
"Tune out, Turn Off, Drop outa sight"

My sister's subset of Boomers started all that; but my subset took it further with a vengence. Most of us 'grew out of it'; my friends who didn't are dead now. Sad, sad, sad.

Oh, Unique, thank you for sharing that you experienced this cultural phenomenon much as I did. I could say the same thing about "friends" who died. Yes, it is sad, sad, sad. I wanted to go to Woodstock, and fought with my parents about it. I am glad I did not go! I am with you: tune out, turn off, drop outta sight! I need lots of peace and quiet and solitude. My husband listens to the Grateful Dead LOUD. Once, we went to counseling on the subject. I said I needed peace and meditation, and the music was intrusive. She said that his listening to the Dead was HIS version of relaxation. Not everyone was going to experience peace in the form of quiet. So, we learned to compromise with headphones. That's a sign of my new found maturity, learning to negotiate!

Hi everyone, since Saturday is my last day as Featured Author, I thought I’d close with some food for thought about peace of mind. The following conversation from the book is begins with my counselor Karen:**** “What you describe are panic attacks, a common reaction related to anxiety. There is a physiological connection between the mind and the body. One way to relax is to concentrate on breathing. Deep breathing allows calmness to enter the body. Breathe in, hold to the count of four, breathe out to the count of four, inhale, hold, exhale, take it all in, let it all out. With every concentrated breath, you can experience peace of mind.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“You make it too hard. The inner silence you cry out for is a search for inner peace. Try repeating affirmations as you breathe: ‘I am submerged in peace. I am immersed in peace. There is nothing but peace.’”
“I thought peace pertained only to political issues such as war and peace and peace treaties.”
“Peace is also achievable from within. You can tap into that peace at any time by breathing deep. You know what Ralph Waldo Emerson said?
”What?”
“He wrote: Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”***
So, friends, what brings you peace? How do you experience peace of mind? Is peace of mind achievable?

LOL! I wasn't old enough to fight about it - if I had been, there wouldn't have been a fight - I would have just gone!! I, too, need lots of space, peace and quiet; but like your husband, sometimes I want to hear it LOUD!! Real loud!! Some music esp. helps me get the 'angry' out - so I blast it - enjoy it - then turn it off. I might not turn music on again for 6 months. It just depends.

Hi Unique, that's so true that music can help to burn the angry out. Good point! Lately, I've been listening to the country music stations, yet I hated country as a kid, when it was Merle Haggard.

As I begin to close on my reign as Featured Author, I want to thank you all for participating. I hope that I have offered information and inspiration. Some of you have been on similar journeys, and I appreciate your willingness to share. I also want to thank those who have said they were reading along. I appreciate that you let me know via PMs. Love and Light, Lynn

Thank you for being with us Lynn. I know I haven't posted much but I have enjoyed following along.

Hi TV, thanks for letting me know you were there!