Mind-Inspired Writings

Author: Catherine Ann White

Problem Behaviors: Causes, Myths, Solutions, & Responsibilities

The writer's opinion piece on real or perceived "Problematic Behaviors," the possible causes, misconceptions, ways to help, and reasons why.

Catherine Ann White

8 min read

The Psychology of Salience and Emotionally Salient Memories

Salience is the property by which something stands out. It refers to prominence. In a sea of sensory information, salience causes us to detect and attend to stimuli or factors that are of importance. In this process, an organism’s perception focuses on pertinent specific sensory stimuli, weeding out the vast amount of other information in our environment. There are things that stir our senses, aspects that make us feel more alive, or experiences that we just cannot forget. Sa

Catherine Ann White

6 min read

The Conundrum, The Undressing, & The Truth

The Coat They dressed us up like doctors. We had to wear a long white coat over our required professional dress attire. You know the kind. Those white jackets a doctor wears, or a scientist. I received my coat after my extensive training. It was an official rite of passage. A promised symbol of accomplishment. Hours of training to achieve. On the top left lapel, the coat displayed the university hospital symbol, very official. On the right, in bright, red embroidered letterin

Catherine Ann White

14 min read

A Place to Find Perspective

My husband and I regularly walk our dog, Fynn, at the Union Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. There, majestic trees surround. Deer, ground hogs, and squirrels feel at home in their own private playground. Red-tailed Hawks rear their eyas in the trees. The geese cluck and honk as we walk by. An array of gravestones decorate the earth. My husband and I live in Clintonville, Ohio. The Union Cemetery is a short walk or drive away from our home. Records on the Union Cemetery website st

Catherine Ann White

6 min read

The Curious State of Attraction

When cleaning the house with my husband yesterday, I paused and looked at him as he worked. After a few moments, I said, “Hey, babe. Do you know what I think?” When his attention turned to the question, I announced, “I think effort is sexy.” After he asked for clarification, I told him I found his effort to contribute to our relationship quite appealing. He smiled, I kissed him, and then we both proceeded with our work in silence. As I continued cleaning in silence, I mused a

Catherine Ann White

5 min read

For Dads Who Question Their Success or Ability as a Parent

Frequently, friends, family, colleagues, and parents of all kinds tell me they wish they could have been a better parent or, they wonder if they are doing enough, did enough, or did things in the right way. My deeply felt, honest response is, “There is no prescription for parenting.” Really, there is no prescription for anything in life. We just all move through it, hopefully trying our best and doing it with love. I’m not a parent, but I do fully know that parenting is not

Catherine Ann White

2 min read

On Gender, Sexuality, and Ownership of the Self

There was no shame in my family when I said I wanted to be a mechanic and also a ballerina. My parents taught me to not define ourselves by any gender label. Yeah, my baby Cabbage Patch was cute, and I liked to take care of her, but it was much more interesting to me to dissect the bugs, climb trees, use my kid’s tool belt to fix things, and practice my fighting punches with the boys. The toe shoes, tiara and tutu were fun, but they came off the very day I met a dance teacher

Catherine Ann White

6 min read

Changing Brain Thought Patterns

Negative thoughts occur for all of us. Individuals who live with depression, anxiety, or many other types of behavioral or chronic conditions often struggle to maintain positivity more than others. This is not a character flaw. Brain chemistry, neural pathways, physical health, and/or life challenges are the underlying factors behind this behavior. The good news is, change is possible. The brain can regenerate and create improved health. So can the body. Capability exists to

Catherine Ann White

3 min read