Dan McGann MSW, RSW Social Work Professional Corporation

05/29/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbzztfHo2oE

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05/08/2025

Daily Mental Hygiene Practice
Keep it simple – remember “Be more curious about the solution, not an expert on your problem.”
🧠 Brain Brush (Every Morning or many times a day*)
Brain Brushing is about mindfully setting your intention for your day – you taking control of your focus for your day (or just prior to new segments of your day where you want to intentionally create something different).
Decide each day “what colours you will use to paint your day today.”
You are the artist of your day—what mood, mindset, or intention do you want to paint with?
📊 20/80 Rule
Spend 20% maximum of your energy on the problem—and 80% on the solution; (20% on Why? And 80% on How and What?)
🎯 One Thing?
The one thing is a practical and simple way to prevent overwhelm. After you brain brush ask yourself “What is one thing I can do today that will make a positive difference.”
🌱 Practice the 3 G’s
• Grow a little (learn something new)
• Give a little (a small act of kindness)
• Practice Gratitude 😊

(Soft and Hard) A soft gratitude is something simple ie. “I am grateful for this beautiful day” – a hard gratitude is thinking about something hard or difficult that you have been through and would not want to go through it again but are grateful for the experience nonetheless because of the wisdom you acquired going through it. Ie “That loss or trauma was difficult but I appreciate what that experience taught me.”
🔍 The Four Logic Questions
When particularly stressed or feeling overwhelmed by a thought or experience, the logic questions can help you to reduce your stress and develop a more realistic perspective.
1) Is it true? … Is what I am thinking really true?
(Examine old patterns of thought and check the facts.)

2) Where is the evidence?
(Can you find evidence that other possibilities might be true? Where is the evidence that others go through the same thing and it works out okay? I am not alone)

3) What is the price you pay emotionally for holding on to that old pattern of thought?

4) What will be better or different when you let it go?
What becomes possible in your life today, tomorrow, and in the months and years ahead when you let it go?
💬 A Guiding Mantra
“Just do your best and life will do the rest… when we stop showing up, life has a way of calling us back.”
✨ The 2 C’s – Curiosity and Compliments
When feeling socially anxious – overthinking about what others might be thinking about you – try and be curious about others—ask them simple questions about them and compliment where you can – notice the difference*

03/13/2025

In each moment, I tell my clients, it is helpful to ask yourself, – “what I am I about to focus on or do … does it reflect who I am or who I want to be?” … such an important question for all of us now.
I must admit, I am just as frustrated and angry about what’s happening in our world as everyone else! There’s so much fear and division right now. There is a disturbance in the force for sure (Star Wars reference) . But instead of just reacting, I ask myself … as a trained “Solution-Focused Therapist”; What might be helpful or useful about this problem?
Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we are not, to realize who we really are or who we want to be.
My old supervisor used to tell me .. “You don’t get your greatest lessons on a sunny beach in Florida. Its only when you deal with the tuff stuff that you truly have an opportunity to grow.”
Even pain can serve a purpose—if we’re willing to see the lesson instead of just the wound.
The contrast shows us what we are not (called cognitive dissonance) - so we can remember who we are … or who we want to be.
The truth is, we get to decide. We can either drown in outrage, or we can use it as fuel to stand up for something better. We can let anger harden us, or we can let it sharpen our focus on the world we actually want to create.
So yeah, I see the hate, the division, the smallness. But I also see the movement toward something greater. People are waking up. And for that, I’m grateful. This isn’t the world falling apart—it’s the world waking up to what it doesn’t want to be anymore.
As a nation, as Canadians, we are celebrating with pride who we really are. Our national pride has never been stronger.
Thanks for the lesson, Mr. Trump …but you’re still a lost soul wrapped in your own BS! (sorry, I am still working on myself in therapy … I’ll get there.)
May the force be with you!

03/06/2025

A Jedi (Star Wars) Approach to our times
As a mental health professional and therapist (and a Star Wars Fan), I understand that healing only comes from a perspective of love and courage—not fear and anger. Interestingly, this is also the foundation of the Star Wars franchise. The Jedi, symbols of wisdom and goodness, live by a code of calm, mindful care, compassion, and courage—always staying connected to The Force, the unifying energy of all things. The Sith, on the other hand, follow a different path, seeking power through dominance and control. They draw strength from pain, anger, and hatred, feeding off fear to spread darkness.

We now live in a time of great chaos, anger, and fear. In other words, there is a disturbance in the Force. I see the negative impacts of this not only in our culture and economy but in the general mental health and well-being of children, adolescents, and families. This era of fear and anger is a virus more contagious—and more insidious—than COVID.

To bring balance back to the Force, we must emphasize the core values of the Jedi: mindful awareness, love, care, compassion, and the courage to say no to abuse, anger, and fear. We must choose to be a light in the darkness. By practicing mindfulness and living intentionally rather than reactively, we cultivate a mindset of love, growth, and courage. This is how we heal—ourselves and the world around us.

How to Cultivate Love, Growth, and Courage Daily
1. Start the Day with Intention – Before getting out of bed, take a moment to set a positive intention for the day.
2. Practice Mindful Breathing – A few deep breaths throughout the day can help anchor you in the present moment.
3. Respond, Don’t React – When faced with anger or fear, pause before responding. Choose a response rooted in wisdom rather than impulse.
4. Limit Exposure to Negativity – Be mindful of how much news, social media, and toxic conversations you consume.
5. Engage in Daily Acts of Kindness – A kind word, a small gesture, or even a smile can create ripples of positivity.
6. Move Your Body – A short walk, stretching, or any physical activity can help regulate emotions.
7. Express Gratitude – Each day, take note of something (big or small) that you are grateful for.
8. Connect with Others – Prioritize meaningful interactions with family, friends, or even strangers. Genuine connection nurtures resilience.
9. End the Day with Reflection – Before sleep, take a moment to reflect: Did I act from love today? What can I improve tomorrow?

By making these small but powerful choices each day, we align ourselves with the path of wisdom, love, and courage—the true way of the Jedi. May the force be with you.

12/07/2024

11/13/2024

As a therapist in private practice I am struck, but not surprised, by the number of clients I have seen this week extremely distressed and upset by the recent US election. They feel a sense of fear and anxiety as well as extreme dismay that the world has decided to lean toward lower measures of humanity. They have a feeling of helplessness and overwhelm. I guide them to resist exposure to the news and social media for now and focus rather in the present (in this moment) that they can control. I encourage them to DECIDE their FOCUS for today - using ideas like the 20/80 rule (20% on the problem and 80% on the solution) and the 3 Gs (what can I do to GROW today?; to GIVE back?; and be GRATEFUL for? ... FOCUS ... one day at a time from a place of LOVE & COURAGE not fear and anger.

10/30/2024

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