Who is
Dr. Bird?
Dr.
Stephen "Bird" Birchak is an author, professor, coach, parent,
husband, and professional speaker. He is a leader in
character development and conflict resolution. He combines
optimism with humor to bring a hopeful message.
Dr.
Stephen "Bird" Birchak has worked in higher education for 30 years. He is a widely
known authority and speaker on issues of change, character, aggression, violence,
and relationships. He is the author of a
popular bestselling book titled How to Build a
Child's Character - by tapping into your own, and the co-author
of the Champions
of Dignity.
Dr. Bird is also the author of a recently released novel - Brotherhood
of the Times. Dr. Bird's efforts as a writer and a speaker are
focused on the idea that we all have the ability to tap
into the great joys of life and we all have the ability to
tap into our character. Whether we are working in communities,
corporations, businesses, or schools we can make a change
in this world. We can deal with change, create
relationships, and remain true to good human nature in
spite of the struggles we have to face.
Want to order Dr. Bird's
book? Want it autographed? Online orders? Quick delivery?
There are 4 ways to order - Click on the book to order
today!
Click the DVD above for more information on Dr.
Birchak's video -
The Five
Golden Rules For Staying Connected to Children
Brotherhood
of the Times - What happens when our past meets
the present? Dr. Megan Talden is a gifted and driven
therapist who has spent her professional life as a psychologist
trying to help others through pain, addictions, and failing
relationships. While running a series of group therapy
sessions in Denver, she struggles to uncover the mysteries
surrounding a suicidal, alcoholic man. What happened?
And, why is she finding herself enmeshed with his struggles?
In his debut novel, Stephen Birchak masterfully crafts a rich
story that moves between two summers; one of innocence, green
grass, and Colorado sunrises, while the other is in present day
agony and self-destruction. Brotherhood
of the Times is an engaging story that will make you
laugh, cry, and change the way you think about friendship,
innocence, and healing. The most memorable journey we take in life
is the one down the path between childhood and the real world…
Brotherhood of the
Times is available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnobles.com,
Borders.com, and Xlibris.com.
Contact Information
I would love to hear from you. I can be contacted by
e-mail, old-fashioned mail, and phone.
- Telephone
- 518-613-4081
- 518-542-0392
- FAX
-
- Postal address
- 197 Sunrise Dr., Gloversville, NY 12078
- Electronic mail
- General Information: sbirchak@nycap.rr.com
All
questions submitted to docbird.com shall become property of docbird
inc. The questions represented in this column are submitted by
mail, in person, or as the result of a question generated in one of Dr.
Birchak's workshops. The names, content, and question may be
edited. The views may focus on the family, relationship, or
parenting but are solely the opinion of Dr.
Stephen Birchak and are designed to assist readers in everyday problems.
The answers focus on the family but are not to be interpreted as therapy,
relationship advice, or parenting advice. The experiences voiced
here are simply opinion and do not need to be substituted for one's own
truth. Docbird Inc. is not responsible for any damages that may
occur as a result of ones choices regarding these issues.
VALUABLE LINKS!
(for more information on these links go to the Links page)
Safe School Links-
Blueprints for Violence Prevention - is a terrific site
that has evaluated hundreds of programs- http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/model/overview.html
What is Project SAVE? - This is your direct link
to NY state documents that outline the Schools Against Violence
in Education legislation. www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SAVE/
You can also get the entire NY - Guidance Document
for School Safety Plans - in PDF at the following site.
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SAVE/ProjectSAVEWeb424.pdf
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center - A
comprehensive connection to numerous resources! http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/index.asp
Keep Schools Safe - A good resource to get tips on
bullying, define school bullying, and make schools safer. http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/students/bullying.htm
Project Wisdom - This is a great site to help foster
ethics in schools. http://www.projectwisdom.com/
Guiding Character Education Principles - Character.org
is a site that helps schoold to develop guiding principles for Character
Education principles. Many good ideas! http://www.character.org/
Character Counts! The Character Counts site focuses on
the six pillars of character http://www.charactercounts.org/
The Character Education Group - Phil Vincent - A great
website devoted to resources, links, and workshops. http://www.charactereducation.com/
Links for Help with
Bullying-
Ten Tips to Stop Bullying - a quick print (2 pages) with
great ideas to keep in mind when you are trying to change an
environment http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/HHS_PSA/pdfs/SBN_Tip_23.pdf
Ben and Jerry’s 50 ways to promote peace -
http://www.benjerry.com/features/50_ways/50ways.cfm
Preventing Classroom Bullying - What Teachers Can Do - booklet
answers numerous questions about bullying.
http://www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/bully/bullyBooklet.pdf
Stop Bullying Now - a great interactive site for
children that helps with the bullies and the bullied. http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp
Don't Laugh at Me - Educational
resources that are designed to establish a climate that reduces the emotional
and physical cruelty. http://www.dontlaugh.org/
People with a Cause-
The Academy for Character Education - Located
in Troy, New York, http://www.sage.edu/resources/charactereducation/
Joe Torre - Safe At Home Foundation - The
Safe at Home Foundation was founded by LA Dodger manager Joe Torre
in an effort to stop the cycle of family violence. http://www.joetorre.org/index.html
The Southern Poverty Law Center - is a tremendous
organization devoted to teaching tolerance and nonviolence. http://www.splcenter.org/
Ben and Jerry’s 50 ways to promote peace -
A great connection to little reminders about how
each of us can play a small part in changing the
world. http://www.benjerry.com/features/50_ways/50ways.cfm
Connecting Women for Peace - Such
a nice website for men and women. Women are victimized by
violence much mor eoftne than men. This site serves to
empower and connect women. http://www.peacexpeace.org/default.asp
The World of Leo Buscaglia - Leo Buscaglia was one of
the most influential authors on the subject of love, kindness, and human
compassion. He devoted his life to encouraging others to examine love in
relationships, families, and in everyday life. Every one of his books had
powerful messages. http://www.buscaglia.com/
Martin Luther King - Established in 1968 by Coretta
Scott King, The King Center is the official, living memorial dedicated to the
advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America’s
greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace. Wonderful
inspiration - http://thekingcenter.org/
Mahatma Gandhi- The Mission of the Gandhi Institute is
to promote and apply the principles of nonviolence locally, nationally, and
globally, to prevent violence and resolve personal and public conflicts through
research, education, and programming. http://www.gandhiinstitute.org
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Have a Dear Dr. Bird
Question? email at: sbirchak@nycap.rr.com
For previous "Dear Dr. Bird" columns
go to Dear
Dr. Bird Letters
Dear
Dr. Bird - Question
of the Week
Keep
the Hope! Give Yourself a Hand!
Dear Dr. Bird,
I heard you speak recently and
you gave everyone a “Clapper” and told us to “Give
ourselves a hand!”
First of all, thank you for your inspiration, our
school district is suffering so many cutbacks that it is
hard for us to keep our motivation.
I just have a quick question; what’s the secret
to “hope,” and what can we do to keep it alive?
Sincerely, Troubled but not
broken
Dear Troubled,
Hope is a habit.
It is not always easy to obtain, and it can be
easily lost if we are not careful.
In these trying times, all of us have to
continually remind ourselves of our values and our purpose
in life. There
are three things that help me.
First, I try to spend as much time as possible with
positive people and I try not to obsess on, or hang
out, with the petty people.
They have very little to offer other than their
misery. Second,
stay in love with the world.
It is a great place filled with a lot of lovely
people, and they deserve the best me that I can possibly
give them. As
the great author Leo Buscaglia once said, “The opposite
of love is not hate- it is apathy.”
Once we become apathetic, we lose all our power
over life. And
third (and most important), give away all the things you
can make from nothing.
You can create an abundance of love, hope,
kindness, patience, and compassion, and you can make these
things from nothing!
They don’t require money, possessions, or college
degrees. And the most wonderful miracle is this- you can give them all
away, and still have just as much.
In these trying times of economic depression, we
have to be certain that we don’t let it result in a
spiritual depression.
As Erich Fromm once said, “Give that which is
alive in you, if nothing is alive in you, you have nothing
to give.” Keep
giving, it’s worth it, stay alive in your heart!
Best
Wishes,
Dr.
Bird
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