Socrates Cafe Online, each Tue, Fri, Sat, 1st. Sun, 6:30 pm Denver MDT (303)861-1447 Socrates Cafe Dialogue Groups: Watch1 Lead1 Start1. Meeting ID and password emailed to members 30 minutes before each meeting. For free membership write JohnScottWren@gmail.com.

Friday, October 30, 2020

1959 Some Like it Hot.

 

Once upon a time in Miami Florida…


 This is a photo of my brother Randy, myself, and two other member’s kids at a national business meeting, the Toiletry Merchandisers Association (TMA) annual meeting where we went for a week with our parents. 


Our parents left us at the movie theater to see "Some Like It Hot" which had just come out.


The next time I went to Miami and a business convention was nearly 20 years later with my now ex-wife who insisted on going with me in spite of being in the last month before our daughter Regan was born. The thought of not going never entered my mind, which amazes me now.


The kid on the left became president of the small college in Iowa I attended for two years before returning to Denver to marry and work in Pop’s business full time.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Sunday, October 18, 2020

My 17th birthday, preparing to serve those who need and want my help.

Embed from Getty Images MAY 8 1965__Denver Post. "Crusaders Plan Retreat." The Order of Crusades, a leadership fraternity composed of young men from 15 Denver area high schools, will hold its annual retreat Friday through Sunday. The group will observe the 750th anniversary of the signing of the Magana Carta. In photo, Ben T. Weaver, left, 1665 Albion St., who claims direct descendancy from two of the baron* who signed the document, shows a framed copy to John S. Wren, 18, 2330 S. Monroe St., a recent graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and member (and Chancellor Commander) of the fraternity. Weekend retreat will be at Foss Park, Indian Hills. Credit: Denver Post (Denver Post via Getty Images) Note to Getty: Thanks for the 30-day loan of this from your online service. If there is interest we may auction this as a fundraising event for the Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. If you want it returned sooner, or if there is any other notice that should be posted with it, please call me immediately. Thank you. John Wren (303)861-1447

Never startup alone!

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

CDC Report: Deaths in Excess in Time of Corona Virus:

 

Best way to put Covid-19 deaths into perspective, in my opinion. How many more deaths than we expected?

Saturday, October 10, 2020

John S Wren, MBA+Personal Processing-- Robert Langs' Self-Analysis Made Simple

John S Wren, MBA+++ Life's short, start now!: Personal Processing-- Robert Langs' Self-Processin...: Friend,  Doing this seems to help me, so I want to share it with you. I’m not a medical or religious professional. This is my experience: I ...

New! I work exclusively for members of Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

John S Wren, Founder, President, and CEO.
Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
+Education to Strengthen the Grassroots+
1881 Buchtel Blvd, #501, Denver, CO 80210
www.SmallBizChamber.org  T @IDEACafe 

14th Annual Ben Franklin/ Martin Luther King 
Birthday Party/Annual Meeting, Monday after 1/17.

2020 Membership is free, join to generate publicity for the work you do:
1) "Visit Group" on our FB Page www.Facebook.com then SmallBizChamber; 
2) post an introduction, you and what you do, sorry no corporate memberships; 
3) share what you've posted with Facebook friends, encourage them to join.
4) Most important: call, tell me what you've done and how I may help you. 
I'll get back with you, it may not be right away but I will call 24/7 (303)861-1447. 

Friday, October 09, 2020

IMPORTANT: Watch and Share. Electoral College.

Another video about the electoral college.

Why we have the Electoral College and what we can each do about it.

We are hearing a lot of attacks on the United States and our government right now, many of them well deserved. One topic that is confusing to a lot of people is the electoral college, I found this very helpful and you and your friends might find it helpful too, take a look now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08H6KH9QV/ref=atv_dl_rdr?autoplay=1

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Personal Processing-- Robert Langs' Self-Processing Made Simple.



Friend, 


Doing this seems to help me, so I want to share it with you. I’m not a medical or religious professional. This is my experience: I hope this might help you, and I welcome your comments and any results you get from using this meditation. Send to:

John S.Wren

1881 Buchtel Blvd. #501

Denver, Colorado.80210



 For more about the roots of what I now call Personal PrOcessing see: Robert Langs, Empowered Psychotherapy—Teaching Self Processing; The Daydream Workbook; and Fundamentals of Adaptive Psychotherapy and Counseling.I’ve also found helpful  Richard Rohr, Breathing Underwater. James Martin, Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything.UK Jesuits’ daily mediations Pray-As-You-Go.org, and the Jesuits at Jesuit Retreat House, Sedalia, CO.

EMERGENCY? CALL 911. Not to be used without first talking about Personal Processing with a therapist, spiritual director, or friend you like and trust, someone who knows you well.


This is a brief introduction to a technique, a way of meditating, developed by a very well known and influential psychotherapist, the late Dr. Robert Langs, MD. What Dr. Langs called “self-analysis” and later “self-processing” and that we are now calling Personal PrOcessing, is a way to access (Observe) your HP, what Langs called “your deep unconscious wisdom system.” It could be called self-directed psychotherapy.

 Personal Processing is used, in the context of: (1) your 11th step (for more about the12-steps see www.AA.org); and (2) the algorithm very widely used in the military and business, the OODA Loop:

According to John Boyd, decision-making occurs in a recurring cycle of Observe–Orient–Decide–Act. 

An entity (whether an individual or an organization) that can process this cycle quickly, observing and reacting to unfolding events more rapidly than an opponent, can thereby "get inside" the opponent's decision cycle and gain the advantage. As John Boyd explained:

“The second O, Orient—is the repository of our genetic heritage, cultural tradition, and previous experiences—is the most important part of the O-O-D-A loop since it shapes the way we observe, the way we decide, the way we act.”


Adapted from Wikipedia article, 

www.Wikipedia.org/OODA_Loop 

There are many types of psychotherapy, each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that's right for you depends on your individual situation. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy or, simply, therapy. (Note: some call it “care of the soul.”)

Psychotherapy can be helpful in treating most mental health problems, including:

  • Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias,
  • panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder
  • Addictions, such as alcoholism, drug dependence or compulsive gambling
  • Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
  • Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder or dependent personality disorder

Not everyone who benefits from psychotherapy is diagnosed with a mental illness. Psychotherapy can help with a number of life's stresses and conflicts that can affect anyone. For example, it may help you:

  • Resolve conflicts with your partner or someone else in your life
  • Relieve anxiety or stress due to work or other situations
  • Cope with major life changes, such as divorce, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job
  • Learn to manage unhealthy reactions, such as road rage or passive-aggressive behavior
  • Come to terms with an ongoing or serious physical health problem, such as diabetes, cancer or long-term chronic pain
  • Recover from physical or sexual abuse or witnessing violence
  • Cope with sexual problems, whether due to a physical or psychological cause
  • Sleep better, if you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia)

In some cases, psychotherapy can be as effective as medications, such as antidepressants. However, depending on your specific situation, psychotherapy alone may not be enough to ease the symptoms of a mental health condition. You may also need medications or other treatments.

Generally, there's little risk in having psychotherapy. But because it can explore painful feelings and experiences, you may feel emotionally uncomfortable at times. However, any risks are minimized by working with a skilled therapist who can match the type and intensity of therapy with your needs.

Adapted from Mayo Clinic, see

www.MayoClinic.org 


Robert Joseph Langs M.D.  (June 30, 1928 – November 8, 2014) was a psychiatrist,  psychotherapist and psychoanalyst, the author, co-author, and editor of more than forty books on psychotherapy and human psychology. 

Over the course of more than fifty years, Robert Langs developed a revised version of psychotherapy, currently known as the “adaptive paradigm”

… By working through the evolutionary and communicative problems, he came to believe that the evolutionary selection processes favors minds which are prone to death denial, since the alternative appeared to be facing potentially overwhelming anxiety over the inevitability of death…

… Langs’ own model of the mind accommodates elements from each of Freud's models while articulating something new. Langs distinguishes between the "unconscious" (or "superficial unconscious") and the "deep unconscious". 

The "unconscious" or "superficial unconscious" mind—the descriptor "superficial" denoting a contrast with "deep," not a value judgment—is a part of a complex conscious mental system with its own laws of functioning and its own form of  communication. The latter, according to Langs, communicates in terms of encoded derivatives, in part because straightforward conscious communication about death-related traumas would be too difficult to bear. 

Hence the work of the adaptive therapist includes learning to hear the encoded derivative communications both to discover the sources of psychic conflict which arise from the diverse points of view the conscious and unconscious systems have on life events, with a specific focus on death anxiety and death-related traumas and, second, to obtain encoded validation of therapeutic interventions.… 

Langs wrote a number of popular texts and books for clients rather than for therapists. Among these are popular texts on dreams and on unconscious communication, a workbook designed to measure the value of one's psychotherapist, and a book on doing self-analysis. Langs also published books about his self-processing classes.

The above adapted from Wikipedia article: “Robert Langs.”


Pocket Guide for

Personal Processing.


1.  Bring to mind an emotional narrative.

*Your dream, daydream or story. 

*A fairy tale, movie, book or news item.

2.  Repeat the narrative, as themes (topics in story) and triggers (memory of emotional events) to emerge.


3.  Associate a strong theme with a strong trigger


4.  Allow a surprising insight to emerge


5,  Validate the surprising insight:

a. Make up a story/ day dream.

b. If joyful, take as validation of insight.     

c. If negative (desolation), repeat process.

6.  Pivot: Re-O(rient), new OODA Loop.



Questions? Call (303)861-1447

John Wren by appointment only.

 Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 1881 Buchtel Blvd. #501, Denver, CO 80210

www.SmallBizChamber.org  (303)861-1447



Personal Psycodynamic Processing: 

Dr. Robert Langs’ “Decoding Your Daydreams” Made Simple.

Monday, October 05, 2020

"What is a Franklin Circle" handout for talk.

Associated we can accomplish more than in isolation. Ben Franklin


What is a Franklin Circle?


Experience keeps a dear School, but Fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that. We may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct. They that won’t be counseled can’t be helped. If you will not hear Reason, She’ll surely rap your Knuckles. Poor Richard.

 

In 1727 Benjamin Franklin formed his more Ingenious Acquaintances into a club for mutual improvement, which they eventually called the Junto. Each meeting had two parts: 1)  In rotation, each member was to, as Franklin said, “produce and read an Essay of his own writing on any subject he pleased.” 2) In addition, the group addressed Franklin’s 24 Standing Queries or Questions for Discussion, which we have edited down to 7.  Franklin’s original Junto Group met each week for 35 years, and Franklin called it “the best school,” it having helped him and the others learn to become successful business people and civic leaders. Training Magazine has cited Franklin’s Junto as an example of the best principles of modern adult education. The Franklin Circle may be Franklin’s best invention!

 

         Franklin Circle Model Meeting  Format (to be modified by groups.)

                Individuals Associated can do more for society, and themselves, than they can in isolation. Benjamin Franklin

Guidelines:

1.        This model meeting is for people who might like the benefits of a Franklin Circle..

2.        Membership is usually limited to 12 people interested in similar learning topics. Split up today?

3.         Proceedings of the group are intended to be confidential but no guarantee, of course.

4.        All those in attendance subscribe to the Questions for Members, (these modified by each group.)

5.        Discussion will center on the Standing Queries, (again, modified) below. Time kept by the chair.

6.        The member recognized by chair will control the floor.

7.        One of those attending will read a paper or make a presentation at each meeting (this for today.).

8.        Groups take no position on outside issues or candidates. We seek to inform, not reform.

9.        Impolite behavior or violation of these guidelines shall be fined by a simple majority vote

             10.       Such money may be used to help celebrate Ben Franklin’s birthday each January 17.


Questions for Members (Answered in unison at the beginning of each meeting. Modified by each group)

1.        Do you have any unresolved differences with any member present. NO

2.        Do you believe any person should be harmed because of his opinions or religion? NO

3.        Do you love truth for truth’s sake? Will you endeavor to find it yourself and communicate it? YES

Standing Queries (Answered by each member in turn. Modified by each group.)

1.        Have you read over these queries this morning to consider what you might have to offer the group?

2.        Have you read, heard, or seen anything that might be helpful if communicated?

3.        Who has failed or done well, and what were the causes?

4.        Can you think of anything at present in which members may be serviceable?

5.        Can the group or anyone in it do anything to be of assistance to you?

6.        Is there any matter of opinion, of justice, or injustice, which you would have discussed at this time?

7.        Do you see anything amiss in the present proceedings of our group which might be amended?


 

Training Magazine, “What We Know for Sure About Adult Learning,” June, 1995.

Malcolm Knowles, Self-Directed Learning—A Guide for Learners & Teachers,  Josey-Bass, 1975.

Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, Yale University Press, 1964. (Best annotated edition.)

H.W. Brands, The First American—The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, Doubleday, 2000.

Ronald K Esplin,  MA Thesis, Franklin’s Colleagues and Their Club: the Junto.. Uof VA, 1979.

 

A celebration of Ben Franklin’s birthday is planned for each January 17. How may we help you? If you’d like this free presentation repeated for your organization, if you want help to start a new group with your more Ingenious Acquaintances, or if you’d like to join one of our SBCC Franklin Circles contact us. (720)495-4949. 


Today’s presentation “How to revive your club, association or chamber,” is a free service of your

Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc. www.SmallBizChamber.org Questions? (303)861-1447


Saturday, October 03, 2020

Why you feel what you feel | Alan Watkins | TEDxOxford

Understanding why you feel what you feel is one of the most important aspects of human development. After understanding comes control. When you control your emotions through vertical development, you can be more successful and happy. We’ve all seen adults behave like children and ‘throw their toys out of the pram’ if they don’t get their way. An inability to control emotions prevents us from growing up and becoming mature successful human beings. Dr. Alan Watkins, founder of Complete Coherence, introduces the key phases of human development and explains why poor emotional control is holding back progress. He asks us to imagine a world where we never have to feel anything we don’t want to feel; where we have complete control of what we feel and when we feel it. Emotions meet technology in a new app (Universe of Emotions). Taking us on a journey around this Universe, Dr Watkins explains how we can choose our own emotional ‘planetary’ address and live happier and more fulfilled lives. Alan Watkins is CEO and founder of leadership consultancy, Complete Coherence. He is recognized as an international expert on leadership and human performance. Dr Watkins has a broad mix of commercial, academic, scientific and technological abilities. Over the past 18 years he has been a coach to many of Europe’s top business leaders and has helped companies treble share price, enter the FTSE 100, salvage difficult turnarounds and establish market leadership in their industry. He has written five books and numerous peer reviewed scientific articles. He advised the GB Olympic squad prior to London 2012 and is working with them leading up to Rio in 2016. He has three degrees and is a neuroscientist by background.