The Interpreted Rock

 By Stephen C. Schultz The Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Over the last few months, most people recognize that the COVID-19 Pandemic has seriously disrupted life as we knew it. From sheltering in place to academic shut downs to economic down turn and unemployment...it is obvious there has been an emotional toll on everyone. Over 53% of adults in the United States report that their mental health and substance use has become worse since the start of the pandemic due to stress, anxiety and simply worrying about COVID-19. Many also report having problems with sleeping, eating and increased use of alcohol. This information and more can be found at this link that contains data concerning the impact on mental health. In my position at Discovery Academy , I have been speaking with parents who are struggling with the associated issues of working from home or no work at all...and, their kids out of school trying to be educated online. This is certainly a failure path in the makin

By Stephen C. Schultz "Sugar and Spice" A feel good story in the midst of the COVID-19  The isles were crowded with people, carts of food and forlorn faces. Empty shelves made up most of the store. No eggs; no water; no milk; no paper products; no pasta; no canned soup; no canned vegetables...other than pickled beets; no meat.  There was sadness. It wasn't chaotic, it wasn't frenzied. No one was speaking and everyone was keeping their distance. A few people wore masks while others donned surgical gloves. This was my excursion to the grocery store In these times of uncertainty. As I looked for a five pound bag of sugar and walked beside the spice rack on the baking isle, I was reminded of this blog post I wrote many years ago. In times of trial and adversity, sometimes it is nice to read or be exposed to something heartwarming and uplifting. Please enjoy this short piece about an experience I had with my family in San Diego.

By Stephen C. Schultz The high pitched whirring sound traveled throughout space and time. It was both annoying and comforting, a dichotomy that came around once a year. My senses were being bombarded mostly through sound and smell. There was the constant chatter about the local collegiate football team, the sweet aroma of apple pie baking in the oven, a turkey and sage combo simmering in roasting pan and the whirring of the beaters whipping up the mashed potatoes. Yes, the holidays are upon us once again. The Holidays are a time for families to gather together. It’s a time for reunions to be made and for relationships to be strengthened. Some of my fondest memories are sitting at the proverbial “Kids Table” at Thanksgiving with my siblings and my cousins. There was running around the house while parents talked and got caught up. As kids, we would run by the relish tray and grab ourselves some celery with cheese whiz in it. Next, it was raiding the olives and putting them on o

By Stephen C. Schultz The stickiness was thrilling and annoying all at the same time. My fingers stuck to the side of the plastic cup as I lifted the fragrant elixir to my nose and smelled it one more time. Seeing the rusty color for the first time didn't scream "Drink Me!"...but, I did. So did about 12 other people who were standing there with me. In fact, on a cool fall day in Mid October, at about 5000 feet above sea level, there isn't much that can beat the taste of fresh squeezed apple cider prepared tree to press in less than twelve hours time and less than fifty yards in distance. This particular activity was set up to involve the students at Discovery Academy and Connection. Each Friday they have an opportunity to participate in an Experiential Activity. An activity that is educational, fun and relatable to the many emotional issues and concerns that these students have faced in their relatively young lives. Earlier in the year, students went and

By Stephen C. Schultz The sun was high in the sky with a slight breeze that kept the temperature an even 87 degrees. This was a comfortable day in the West Desert of Northern Utah. It was a two hour drive just to get to this point in time. The veins in his neck protruded and the grimace on his face matched the guttural growl that escaped his lips. A long screech filled the air as the lug nut finally moved a fraction of an inch. Yes, it had happened…a flat tire in the middle of nowhere! Daniel Hazen was the one asked to bring me out to a team of kids in a wilderness treatment program. Daniel is the Program Director at Outback Therapeutic Expeditions . What a great guy! Well rounded and easy going, it is obvious to see how much he loves this work of assisting families and their struggling teens. I was on my way to visit with a young lady who was scheduled to attend Discovery Academy. She was anxious to learn more about where her eventual transition would take her

By Stephen C. Schultz This is just a quick note to provide an update on Discovery Academy and Connections. If you have explored my blog before, you are probably aware I am involved with a group of treatment programs for teenagers.  Please allow me to share a couple of experiences I had at Discovery Academy. Last week we were preparing for a parent tour. I was in the middle of identifying a student that would be able to assist with the tour when I got a call from one of our staff members. Thoughts raced through my mind; “Shoot, Troy won’t be able to help us...he is at his internship at ADOBE”.  Then I thought to myself; “Wow! How cool is that!”  Later in the week I ran into a young lady enrolled in Discovery Academy who I had spoken with previously. I asked how she was doing and what she was up to. She mentioned that she was just returning from her job. I mentioned that was awesome and asked if she would share with me what she was doing. She said she was wo

By Stephen C. Schultz Spring is in the air and that well known feeling of wanting to get out of the house and go fishing is surging through my body. I found myself in a sporting goods store the other day perusing the fishing lure isle. I was in the yard after mowing the lawn and realized I was walking around my small 12 foot fishing boat that is still covered from winter. I have had people ask me over the years, "What's so fun about fishing?". They usually follow that question up with, "It's so boring!". From my perspective, they couldn't be further from the truth. Fishing represents so much more than being entertained. It's time in the wilderness with fresh air and solitude. It's time to think and ponder on life's problems.  It time to express gratitude and count your blessings. There is also the satisfaction of reading the water, observing a hatch and placing a lure or fly in the perfect spot. It's the excitement of the fish