Does kindness matter? This simple question is central to a recent article in Diabetes Spectrum highlighting research revealing the health benefits of self-compassion. According to the article “Self-compassion is defined as the practice of treating oneself with kindness, care, and concern in the face of negative events.” The article goes on to state that “self-criticism, a common consequence of self-care failure . . . can be seen as the opposite of self-compassion”. Although this article focuses on the effects of self-compassion and its absence on diabetes patients in particular, it is clear that these health concerns can be more broadly generalized. The article cites “A series of experimental studies suggest[ing] that quantifiable physiological and neurological processes underlie the experience of self-compassion.” Furthermore, “consistent evidence suggests that self-compassion is related to physical and psychological health”. As an example, “in a study [see citation below]* in patients with obesity and pain problems, self-compassion predicted lower negative affect, higher positive affect, more adaptive pain coping, higher pain self-efficacy, and lower pain catastrophizing.”
Not surprisingly, the opposite has also been shown to be true. For example, ” the opposites of self-compassion, including self-criticism, self-hate, self-judgment, and negative perfectionism, have been linked to greater psychological distress, including depression.” The article is full of additional confirmations, citations and examples of the positive health effects, both physical and psychological, of self-compassion and the related negative consequences of its deficiency.
Self-kindness – the ability to be understanding with yourself rather than judgmental or harshly critical;
Common humanity – the recognition that none of us is perfect and all of us make mistakes, thus viewing ourselves as part of the human experience;
Mindfulness – the ability to pay attention to the present moment, neither dwelling on the past nor excessively worrying about the future.
If you’ve been following this blog, you may recognize these themes. In fact, a very recent post discusses the benefits of self-care which are obviously closely related to self-compassion. The articles referred to here also talk about the ways in which we sabotage ourselves. For example, some of us may believe that being kind to ourselves needs to be secondary to taking care of others. Think about that: how can you give others something you are unwilling to give to yourself? Furthermore, the consequences of denying ourselves the compassion that we wish to share with others can be pretty dire. From the Washington Post article: “The opposite of self-compassion is emotional reactivity, isolation, self-judgment and unhealthy perfectionism, all of which have been linked to depression, stress and reduced quality of life.”
These ideas are echoed in an article in Health Psychology Open. It states that “Substantial evidence supports the idea that self-compassion
can reduce perceived stress”. Research findings show that “people who have higher levels of self-compassion tend to handle stress better — they have less of a physical stress response when they are stuck in traffic, have an argument with their spouse or don’t get that job offer — and they spend less time reactivating stressful events by dwelling on them.” Since chronic stress has direct effects on all aspects of our health, this is no small thing. Additional research is also cited in this article indicating that people with higher levels of self-compassion are more likely to start and adhere to healthy behaviors which further enhances the benefits. In other words, self-compassion promotes better health which contributes to better feelings about oneself which enables more self-compassion. Conversely, negative self-care leads to poorer health which takes one’s self-image in a downhill spiral in the opposite direction.
So next time you’re tempted to run yourself down for any reason, it might be worth remembering that berating yourself may be more than just a temporary mood darkener. It just might have more serious negative health ramifications that could be avoided with a little kindness. Isn’t that simple step worth the effort? Try noticing those negative thoughts. Maybe you can remind yourself that “to err is human, to forgive, divine”. Our world would be a safer and healthier place if we all practiced a little more kindness. You can start that practice with yourself. If you want to treat other people well and you want other people to treat you well, you can set an example by treating yourself well, too. Your health care practitioners will applaud!
* Wren A, Somers T, Wright M, Goetz M, Leary M, Fras A. Self-compassion in patients with persistent musculoskeletal pain: relationship of self-compassion to adjustment to persistent pain. J Pain Symptom Manage 2012;43:759–770
Travel Requests – Mike Carter to Mass Care Training in Pierre, SD, at a cost of $170; Mike Carter to Mitigation for Emergency Management in Pierre, SD, at a cost of $170; Jeff McGraw and Marty Mechaley to Creative Leadership Training in Rapid City, SD, at a cost of $298; Matt Warren to Rifle Armorer course in Rapid City, SD, at a cost of $450
Conflict of Interest Declarations
Election of Officers
Selection of Board Chairperson
Selection of Board Vice-Chairperson
Annual Designations
Designate Legal Newspaper and Depositories
Adopt State Rates for Mileage/Per Diem
2018 Fees for Outside Board Members
Commissioner Committee Assignments
Emergency Management
2018 LEPC Grant
Quarterly Report
Highway Department
Appointment of Highway Superintendent for 2 years
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – 2 Hour Road, Section 24, Township 3S, Range 4E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Hall Drive, Section 24, Township 3S, Range 4E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Leyson Loop, Section 24, Township 3S, Range 4E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Spring Place, Section 19, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Spring Place, Section 19, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Kemp Road, Section 19 & 20, Township 3S, Range 5 E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Lizzy Lane, Section 19 & 20, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Shamrock Road, Section 20, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Needles View Place, Section 19, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Forest Park Road, Section 19, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Granite Heights Drive, Section 19 and 30, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Granite Valley Drive, Section 19 & 30, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Mineral Drive, Section 19, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Sidney Park Road, Section 19 & 30, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Application for Occupancy of the Right of Way – Harbach Lane, Section 19 & 30, Township 3S, Range 5E, Custer County, South Dakota.
Planning
Appeal from Michael and Sara Janson for reimbursement of survey
Vidal Davila from Wind Cave – update on 266th Street project
Airport
Correction on Project Pay Request #3
Maintenance Department
Advertise for sealed bids for surplus maintenance vehicles
Sheriff
Vehicle bid update
Surplus 2013 Chevy Tahoe to Search & Rescue
Notice of grant award for 24/7 Program in the amount $18,107
Auditor
Intergovernmental contract for the South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance
Review Liquor License Fees
Addition and Deletion of Bank Signers
Resolution 2018-01 Resolution to Establish Salaries of Elected Officials
Library
2018 Library Board Member List
Public Comment Meetings of the Board of Commissioners are open to the public. The audience will be allowed to comment on specific agenda items during the time allotted on the agenda for those items, according to established procedures of the Commission. This is a time for members of the public to express concerns or discuss issues having relevance to the County. Anyone wishing to address the Commission during this time shall be asked to identify themselves. The number of presentations and time allotted to individuals may be limited by the Chairman and individuals shall refrain from discussing personalities. The Chairman, at his discretion, may recognize patrons at other times during the Board meeting. No action will be taken by the Commission on any issue raised without being first placed on a future agenda, by the Commission, to allow for proper notice.
Commission
Mail call – Thank you card from the Storehouse
Meeting schedule
Meeting reports
Executive Session
Request for release of lien
Adjourn
Adjourn the meeting
Next Meeting Dates: January 25, 2018 and February 7, 2018
Custer County fully subscribes to the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you desire to attend this public meeting and are in need of accommodations, please notify the Commissioners’ Office at (605) 673-8173 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate services and auxiliary aids are available.
All Images: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press
All images were taken on Beaver Creek Road between Rifle Pit Road and Flynn Creek Road September 13, 2017 between 2:30 and 4:30pm .
Fire update: The Custer County Sheriffs office is calling this the “Beaver” fire which makes sense now because I was there around 2:30 and left around 4:30pm. Search and Rescue come in just before I left the area. I came down Rifle Pit Road and at that time no roads were blocked. The smoke column’s from my view appeared to be one burn area…
The “Beaver” fire is located in the area of Beaver Creek Road and Flynn Creek, the fire appears to be traveling in a NW direction. This is a separate fire from the one in Wind Cave National Park. Several fire agencies are on scene, including aircraft support. We do not know the approximate size of the fire yet; structures have been threatened during this fire. The Custer County Sheriff’s Office and Custer County Search and Rescue are currently blocking many of the roadways and we ask that people avoid this area. If you live in this area please be aware of your surroundings as fire conditions can change rapidly and evacuations are possible.
I was waiting for this and it broke out heavy smoke and this is the one full image I shot. Was on the back side of the fire with a Canon 7D and a 70-200 f2.8 on the camera cranked all the way down to 70mm.
“Beaver” fire, Custer, SD – September 13, 2017.. Image: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press.
“Beaver” fire, Custer, SD – September 13, 2017.. Image: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press.
“Beaver” fire, Custer, SD – September 13, 2017.. Image: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press.
“Beaver” fire, Custer, SD – September 13, 2017.. Image: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press.
“Beaver” fire, Custer, SD – September 13, 2017.. Image: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press.
Custer, SD – There will be a march against hate on Saturday, September 2nd, at 10:00 am in front of the Custer Courthouse Museum. Participants will be anyone who wishes to support the principles of the US Constitution as they relate to equality and inclusion for all citizens of the United States and it’s territories.
Sponsored by the concerned citizens of Custer and surrounding communities.
Custer Free Press - HFR DESIGN STUDIO 