Charlie Finn on March (not) Madness

A Lot Like Fathers and Sons

It’s down to the Final Four.
You know the coaches by now,
see how each educates and motivates,
observe relationships a lot like fathers and sons,
see how all (save one) model acceptance of defeat
for the rest of us to follow,
teach what the players will remember
when they leave the court for life.
Even were I not an ACC fan
I think I’d be tipping my hat
to the likes of Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski
for what they’re modeling for the rest of us
when we return to the tournament of life.

For more Poetry by Charlie Finn: http://www.poetrybycharlescfinn.com/

New Poetry from Charlie Finn

The Mastery of the Thing! Transcendence in Counseling and Sports is Charlie Finn’s newest book of poetry. Charlie defines transcendence as “rising above or triumphing over negative or restrictive circumstances, going beyond the limits of ordinary experience. ” Speaking to both the world of sport and the world of counseling, he explores the refusal to give in to adversity or discouragement that most defines us as human and allows us to grow.

Copies are available directly from Charlie ($10) at Psychological Health Roanoke
(540-777-7086 or cfinn@psychhealthroanoke.com)

For more on Charlie Finn’s poetry: http://www.poetrybycharlescfinn.com/

Charlie Finn on the Winter Solistice

At our 4th Annual Holiday Season Celebration, Charlie Finn offered his perspective on the approaching winter solistice, and its meaning in our work.

We Are the Winter Solstice

Before we eat, drink and be merry,
let us remember a good reason to do so,
let us remember who we are.
This is the year’s dark time,
the deep and dark December time.
Long nights will keep getting longer
until the great reversal point is reached on December 21st
when, sun standing still, the deepest advance of night
swings back towards the light.
What does this have to do with us?
It has everything to do with us
for we are the winter solstice!
We are the winter solstice in the lives of every man, woman or child
who comes through that downstairs door.
They come at a dark place in their lives,
a stuck place,
a weighed down with worry place,
a heavy with sadness place,
a place that most of all feels like a long dark tunnel,
but they come clinging to a hope there is a light at the end of it
and that some how, some way, some one can help them reach it.
We are the some how and the some way, but we are more than some one.
It’s not just what happens in the counselor’s office.
It’s every single encounter of kindness they receive,
from the first contact over the phone to every contact at the front window,
along with all the absolutely essential business behind the scenes
that make possible that mysterious reversal back towards the light
that can happen in the counselor’s office.
It takes a village, they say.
Well, tonight is for celebrating the whole village of us.
We have reason to eat, drink and be merry,
for we are the winter solstice!

Charlie Finn on Abraham Lincoln

In these days of partisan acrimony and shrill attack, we have need of remembering the manner in which Abraham Lincoln's courage and kindness transformed adversities such as we are witnessing, and worse. Among Lincoln's greatest achievements of spirit... was his refusal to vilify, to demonize, to retaliate in kind when vitriol was heaped upon him.

Read the Roanoke Times for more of Charlie Finn's thoughts on the enduring relevance of Abraham Lincoln http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/cpmmentery/wb/221938

Poetry by Charlie Finn

Charlie Finn is a licensed professional counselor specializing in addictions and working with adolescents. He describes the counseling process simply and incisively as: helping people get unstuck, learning to tap outer and inner resources when “up against it,” regaining confidence that “I have what it takes,” turning discouragement into encouragement, from “ain’t it awful” to “I can grow through this.”
Alison Allsbrook, who has worked with Charlie for about 15 years describes a strong silence presence that evokes trust and confidence. She takes care to listen closely when he has something to say, and is a fan of Charlie’s poetry.
A sample of Charlie's poetry is at http://www.psychhealthroanoke.com/resources.html