Author: Lovely Refinement

Lovely Refinement is all about helping YOU build self-confidence, overcome anxiety, and relieve stress from your life. Most importantly, it’s about how you can love yourself and your life every single day. Our parent company is Mike Veny, Inc., a popular wellness and education provider with a great reputation. Because of our wonderful relationship, we're grateful to be able to offer you quality learning experiences that deliver results.
Toca Djembes in Action (including Freestyle) 2020 (Fast!)

Toca Djembes in Action (including Freestyle) 2020 (Fast!)

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.MikeVeny.Com Toca artist Mike Veny having some fun in the studio and demonstrating new djembes with his friends Tristant Marzeski and Brendan Finnegan (fellow Toca artist). In this video, Mike demonstrates a simple idea of how you can have fun with percussion regardless of your skill level or ability. This playful exchange was inspired by Mikes work as a drum circle facilitator, studying Developmental Community Music with Kalani, laughter yoga, and being his childlike self.

Having fun with music is so important. We’ve become a society that takes recreational music making way too seriously. Honoring traditional rhythms and techniques is important for education and childlike playfulness is important for the spirit. Mike, Brendan, and Tristan are clearly having fun.

In addition to the fun they are having, they are demonstrating the Toca 14 inch Freestyle Djembe (Toca’s best selling percussion item), the Toca 14 inch Freestyle Djembe with an extended rim, and the Toca Master Series Djembe. Mike has used both instruments extensively and has found the Freestlye to be flexible enough to fit a variety of musical situations. Best of all, this drum is really light. The Master Series Djembe is simply a work of art. The dense wood is hand carved and the drum has a crystal clear tone, regardless of where you play on it. As always, Toca succeeded in making instruments that sound great and looks great.

Both of these djembes have become an important part of Mike’s sound as drummer. He uses Freestyle djembe for most performances and recordings, and brings out the Master Series djembe on special occasions. Both instruments bring him much happiness.

Visit Mike Veny’s website at http://www.MikeVeny.Com

Like Mike Veny on Facebook at http://Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

How to Find a Good Therapist – Transforming Stigma™

How to Find a Good Therapist – Transforming Stigma™

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/how-to-find-a-good-therapist.html How to find a good therapist!

In this video, mental health stigma expert and speaker, Mike Veny talks about how to find a good therapist. As a person who has been hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital 3 times and been in and out of therapy for most of his life, Mike has learned a thing or two about getting good help.

One of the easiest ways to find a good therapist is to ask a friend for a referral. The challenging part about this for most people, however, is feeling uncomfortable letting anyone know about struggling with a mental health challenge. When it comes to other services, such as auto repair or a dentist, we don’t hesitate to ask friends for referrals.

Whether or not the therapist that you try was from a referral or not, you should be able to tell within 2 or 3 sessions if that particular therapist is a fit for you. Regardless of what anyone says about what you want to look for, it comes down to a gut feeling about that person being a good fit for you. You’ll know it when you find it.

Also, your therapists can change over time. Sometimes a therapist that was initially a good fit for you no longer fits you. Like many relationships in life, you may outgrow the relationship and that’s a wonderful thing. Keep in mind that there as many different types of therapy as there are therapists out there. Mike Veny has had sessions with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and licensed counselors. Each type of therapy and therapist brought something unique to the table.

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

Like Mike Veny on Facebook at http://Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Visit Mike Veny’s mental health blog, at http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/blog

What is Mental Health? – Transforming Stigma™

What is Mental Health? – Transforming Stigma™

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/what-is-mental-health-exactly.html What is mental health exactly. In this video, mental health speaker Mike Veny talks about what the term actually means. Some people refer to it as ‘psychological health’ or ‘behavioral health’. Regardless of which term you use, Mike believes that it refers to 3 things:

1. The health of your thoughts. This includes thinking about harming yourself or hearing voices. This can distort your perception of reality and lead to confusion.
2. The health of your feelings. This includes extreme mania and depression.
3. The health of your behavior. This includes acting out inappropriately toward yourself or others.

If any of these aren’t well, then you are having a mental health challenge (some call it a mental illness).

Some people are of the opinion that your thoughts lead to feelings. Your feelings lead to your behavior. Your behavior then leads to other thoughts. If you look at mental health from this point of view, then you have a framework for taking care of yourself mentally.

Taking care of your mental health can include:

* Seeing a therapist or counselor.
* Taking psychiatric medication.
* Surrounding yourself with positive people.
* Exercise.
* Nutrition.
* Meditation.
* Maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
* Getting sleep.

Interestingly, many of the activities listed above are essential for your physical health as well. Sometimes people like to separate mental health from physical health. Although they are different, they work in synergy.

The link to the article at the beginning of this description contains information about 2 mental health assessments that you can take online to check the status of your own mental health.

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

Like Mike Veny on Facebook at http://Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Visit Mike Veny’s mental health blog, at http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/blog

Toca Djembe Jam (with the Freestyle) 2020 (Fast!)

Toca Djembe Jam (with the Freestyle) 2020 (Fast!)

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.MikeVeny.Com Mike Veny, Brendan Finnegan, and Tristan Marzeski jamming in the Toca Percussion studio. This video features the Toca Master Series Djembe, Freestyle Rope Tuned Kente Djembe, and the Bougarabou.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V3IEdbK7Sua6AbscnWOYdbDxKtet0ByqoKdnLcA1QNQ/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kBf8BiegVd4MLw50-HTrFMisQpNIJWuVKg-xk_Sccuk/edit?usp=sharing

Mental Health Speaker – Transforming Stigma Into Strength™

Mental Health Speaker – Transforming Stigma Into Strength™

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com Mental health speaker, Mike Veny delivering an inspirational presentation at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (also known as FREE). FREE is a non-profit that serves people with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and mental illness on Long Island. He developed a relationship with FREE after a successful presentation at the New York State Self Advocacy Association’s Long Island Region Conference.

Mike delivered an abbreviated version of his keynote speech, Transforming Stigma into Strength. Mike believes that regardless of your challenge or disability, the stigma surrounding it can be more of a challenge. Mike knows what it feels like to have people judge him, say negative things about him, and treat him differently. After bearing that weight for the first 30 years of his life, he chose to take a hard look at a solution. His solution to stigma began with looking in the mirror. Looking in the mirror is the first step to successful self advocacy. Successful self advocacy is the key to transforming stigma.

Mike’s career path began as a professional drummer. After a mental health breakdown in 2011, he added motivational speaking to his career to empower other people to feel hope. His work as a mental health speaker allows him to grow in his own recovery and help others at the same time. Mike believes that the worst thing that any of us can feel is a lost sense of hope. The stigma surrounding intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and mental health is real and effects all of us. Regardless, we have the power to be proactive and transform stigma into strength.

If you are looking for a mental health speaker for your next event, then look no further.

* Follow Mike Veny on Twitter – @MikeVeny
* Find Mike Veny on Facebook – http://www.Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Speaker Mike Veny – 2020 (Actionable)

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Speaker Mike Veny – 2020 (Actionable)

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com Let’s face it – the right suicide prevention speaker can make or break your event. Mike Veny provides a new format for your attendees, that provides incredible value, and maximum efficiency.

Mike Veny is a sought after suicide prevention speaker. He delivers entertaining, engaging, and educational experiences to conferences and events throughout the world.

Mike has gone from being hospitalized, expelled from schools, and suicidal as a child to being a successful professional drummer, suicide prevention speaker, and entrepreneur as an adult … and did it all through trial and error. During his presentations, he give audiences a unique insight and understanding of what it’s like living life with mental health challenges.

Since he struggled with mental health and behavior challenges as a child, still struggles with mental health challenges as an adult (his behavior is much better), and serves those who struggle with mental health challenges (including staff & leadership in organizations), he speaks from a diverse perspective about suicide prevention.

Mike Veny, Gretsch Artist, on a Marquee Series Kit: Improving Your Groove

Mike Veny, Gretsch Artist, on a Marquee Series Kit: Improving Your Groove

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.MikeVeny.Com Professional drummer, Mike Veny offers insight on improving your groove. Check out the Gretsch Marquee Series kit with a Gibraltar G-Class Single Bass Drum Pedal.

Mike Veny, Gretsch Artist: Bass Drum Technique on a Marquee Series Kit

Mike Veny, Gretsch Artist: Bass Drum Technique on a Marquee Series Kit

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.MikeVeny.Com Professional drummer, Mike Veny offers insight on basic bass drum technique on a Gretsch Marquee Series kit with a Gibraltar G-Class Single Bass Drum Pedal.

Mental Health Motivational Speaker

Mental Health Motivational Speaker

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com Mental health speaker, Mike Veny presenting at the 2014 NERSC (New England Resident Service Coordinators) Conference at the Omni Mount Washington in Vermont. Resident Service Coordinators work hard to provide support and also manage residences for people in need of housing services to maintain their independence. Lead by Executive Director, Andrea Dobras, NERSC works hard to provide professional development and networking opportunities to resident service coordinators in New England.

Mike Veny delivered this inspirational and motivational mental health speech, knowing that dealing with a resident who struggles with mental illness or a mental disability can be difficult. As a person who could easily be one of their residents, he was able to effectively make his case for transforming stigma surrounding mental illness and also keep the audience entertained. Burnout is a real challenge for resident service coordinators. In addition to reminding the audience about the clients they serve, he encourage them to take care of themselves.

Mike was invited to be the keynote speaker for this event after successfully opening up and setting the tone for the 2013 Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Conference in State College, Pennsylvania. He believes in the working resident service coordinators do and is committed to helping them succeed. The stigma surrounding mental health exists everywhere and Mike hopes to transform this stigma into strength through connecting with housing managers and professionals.

If you are a housing manager or professional and a resident with mental illness is acting out inappropriately, what do you do? The answer is unique to every situation. However, the most important tool that will empower you to be successful with any resident who is acting out inappropriately, is to be in the habit of regularly taking care of yourself.

To learn more visit, http://www.TransformingStigma.Com

* Follow Mike Veny on Twitter – http://www.Twitter.com/MikeVeny
* Find Mike Veny on Facebook – http://www.Facebook.Com/MikeVeny