I enjoyed my trip to Indy this past weekend!

I went down to Indy this past weekend to visit with one of my best friends, Jared! I absolutely adore him and his partner, Israel (Izzy). Check out a behind the scenes look at all of us eating and enjoying each others' company before leaving for a night out! 

I know Jared spent a good 2 hours getting his face on before channeling his inner drag queen, Jarica! :D Thank you, Drew! (Drew is such a cutie, he needs a man) 

After partying and nursing my hangover, I have awoken to the sunlight rays. 

The next morning we decided to go out to breakfast at a cute little place called "Downtown Ollie's..."

Where I had the best Bagel I have ever had. Thank you, Allen! 

I am so looking forward to seeing my boys again soon! Happy Birthday again, Jared! I will be coming back to see you very soon! xoxo, Dusten

Hear Some Messages!

I'm sharing with you guys some of the messages I received this past week! These are real messages that have come through from spirits, I promise you. They're not always what we expect! I love how Spirit always knows what to give us though. Enjoy. :)

xoxo, Dusten

A Quick Little Resume

The Trick to a "One Pager Resume" is to put the most relevant things down for the job or position that you are wanting to have. Check mine out, and hopefully this will give you an idea on how to get that job or position you have been wanting. This Resume is for a Graduate Researcher Position, notice how I hit relevant information they may be looking for, such as editing, and having different perspectives. You're Welcome. ;)

Quick Highlights

Dusten Lyvers

Age: 23

1^st year grad student at IU South Bend studying Mental Health Counseling

Projects:

• SOCACT (Social Action Project) I’m working with Dr. De Bryant who is one of the 50 ambassadors for the world parliament of religions on giving people from different spiritual faiths and cultures a platform to educate the public on their rituals and traditions. This is a 3 year project, we are 1 year in.

• Transformative Grief Doctoral Thesis: I’m with Dr. Kylie Rogalla on checking in with her participants during her doctoral thesis study. We are brainstorming the best questions to ask and how to proceed systematically. We are currently waiting for IRB approval.

• Quick Fixes: I just finished a project with Dr. Catherine Borshuk and two other researchers on the belief in quick fixes. We made our own research questions, ran our own stats, and presented our results at Purdue Northwestern.

Experience:

• Editor for Undergrad Research Journal

• Studied Abroad in Japan

• Studied Abroad in England

• Self-Employed Spiritual Therapist (4 years now)

Education:

• Two Minors: Interpersonal Communication & East Asian Studies

• B.A. in Psychology

• Certificates through IUSB: Applied Behavior Analysis & International Studies

• Many Spiritual Certs (Life Coach, Reiki Master, Medium, etc.)

Character:

• Volunteered for over 30 Organizations (Mooseheart, Special Olympics, Hello, Gorgeous, etc.)

• Raised thousands of dollars through fundraising events with me as the main event

• Pro Bono Work

This entire document fits into one page on Word. Employees or internship sites like to see relevant information, it wouldn't hurt to label the sections. Yes, Character is something many business sites care about as well. We don't want to hire people who aren't honest or who don't play well with others. Hope you found this helpful! :)

Day Two of my Spiritual Retreat

As I say good-bye again to the outside digital world and my technology, I say hello to rest, relaxation, and my soul. I am disconnecting from the hustle and bustle, and even time itself, and reconnecting to my inner self, and higher power...

I have decided that tonight I will end my two day spiritual retreat at 5pm due to the sheer amount of e-mails, messages, and texts I have received from clients. I have to schedule appointments for the next week...

My day started at midnight (technically) where I was dancing at Woochi Japanese Bistro & Bar for Geurilla Gay Bar (GGB), the event held once a month where a bar in South Bend will host the LGBT community for a night on the town! I only used my phone to text a couple friends (absolutely no social media, and I allowed myself mild use of technology after 8:30pm) to hang at GGB. I figured it was okay to use my phone for this purpose because it was goal oriented (meet people for GGB) as opposed to being used just for fun. Again, I felt so present today at the bar. I had no worries from work, or others that were not with me at the bar. I felt I had discovered a secret world where I am fully whole and experiencing every moment of my life. I had so much fun, I even found a cutie to dance the night away with. ;) I had friends all over the bar, Meghan who runs the organization TREES for transgendered individuals showed me where a coat rack was in the bar, when the staff told me that they did not have one. I suppose my manifesting abilities were at work even at the bar! Of course everyone and their mother followed suit after I hung my coat up. I had friends in the back of the bar at the round table in the corner, so I had a place to sit down in between my dancing breaks. I also had my dancing friends, and even friends that would go to the bar to order me drinks! I had a great time even though I went alone! (I never did find anyone to technically go with me). 

When I woke up at 11am after resting from going to bed around 4am, I enjoyed coffee, and turkey bacon and turkey sausage. After I finished my breakfast, I started a cleaning spree! I did 4 loads of laundry, 2 loads of dishes, took out the trash, and even threw out these old dead plants in my front yard that have been here since I moved in (this was in November)! I also found some dog toys, a pooper scooper, and a dog post thing in my back yard, I gave them to my next door neighbors who have a dog. I even found time to start my taxes for 2017! I still feel empowered, whole, strong, solid, and myself. I think I'm pretty cool after spending this time bonding with myself. Omgosh, I have also been having some physical phenomena happening! I always knew I had some physical mediumship (where my energy moves physical items), and since my energy is so high from disconnecting it has been knocking down clothes, pens, and even a wine glass in the kitchen. This is my life. 

I later took a nap, I mean, I was partying 'til the AM. When I woke up I realized dancing is part of my soul's food. I feel like nothing can hurt me when I dance, I also feel this feeling when I run. I won't make a career out of it, but I have to do it. I feel fulfilled. I know I can handle the outside world by myself, I went to a huge bar all alone! My faith in humanity is restored, and my energy is still extremely high as I write this. I manifest even the littlest of things to aid myself in my daily life, and my energy is where it needs to be. I thank Spirit for giving me the insight to know I needed this cleanse, and I can't wait for my next spiritual retreat from technology! 

xoxo, Dusten

Day one of my Spiritual Retreat

As I say good-bye to the outside digital world and most of my technology, I say hello to rest, relaxation, and my soul. I am disconnecting from the hustle and bustle, and even time itself, and reconnecting to my inner self, and higher power...

My day started with pancakes, I greeted one of my closest friends, Chris, and I really connected with him when he was here. I was aware that I was more present, and I could retain everything he said to me without having to ask for clarification. When he left, I had two clients show up (this was around noon). I had a fabulous reading with the two lovely ladies, and I was shocked at the number of names that came up during the reading. I could tell that my work was better due to this disconnection from technology.

After my clients had left, my mom (Joy) came with my brother (Forest) to pick me up and take me out to Hacienda for lunch. (I gave up almost all technology, including my car until 8:30pm on this first day of my cleanse). I ordered the original burrito combo with double rice (my healthy lifestyle, no cheese soup for me!) While I was eating I felt a peacefulness, I was free from being rushed or distracted, and I had no concept of time. I was totally at peace.

When we finished with Hacienda, we went to CVS so my brother could fill out his script, and we ran into my Aunt Gail! (Divine Timing). While visiting with my aunt, I also managed to entertain all of the staff and pharmacists with my flamboyant personality, it was very fun. My mom and I decided to check out an antique shop across the street while my brother waited for his script (Forest doesn't like going to new places). Unfortunately the antique shop was not open, so we looked around for another place to visit for the 20 min we would have been waiting at CVS. We spotted what looked to be a dance studio a few buildings down from the antique shop and so we decided to check and see if it was open, it was! When we went inside we were greeted by the owner, and a wonderful dance instructor! Long story short, we signed up for dance lessons together! $78 for 4 private lessons with me and my mom, I think that sounds like a good investment. My mom was already complaining we don't get to spend enough time together, and now we have a fun and exciting activity we can experience together!

We returned home and dropped my brother Forest off, and I still felt the peacefulness I had at lunch. I knew I was right where I was supposed to be in life. My mom and I decided to go to Kroger and do some shopping, and I felt so grounded and focused with my energy. I even remembered that my aunt's grocery list at my mom's house had said that she needed taco seasoning! I'm never this observant! Aside from purchasing groceries, I was aware of a gay couple at Kroger's in the frozen section, and they were an attractive gay couple at that! When I first saw them I felt a sadness because I had just been dumped yesterday by my man of interest, but as I watched how they interacted with each other while getting groceries, I felt a renewed hope that I would not be single for the rest of my life. It was a timely experience, because as I reflect on this, I believe I was not meant to be with my old man of interest. My energy is changing and coming back to me, and I need someone who can handle my energy. I think my energy is literally preparing me for what is next. When my mom and I went to check out our groceries, the computer crashed for a few seconds. (This happens when I have a lot of energy, I affect electronic devices). When we arrived back to my mom's, I noticed that I had two bottles of wine in my grocery bags that I didn't purchase! My energy is certainly manifesting things! The universe is providing and clearing a way for my path, I am so ready for day 2 of my spiritual retreat. Right now, I am on my way to do some yoga and meditation.

Bonus Story: Before my friend Chris had left, he suggested that I put a sign up in my front yard for clients to know where I live. I told him maybe and that I would think about it (to be honest, I was leaning towards no). Well, as my family and I were headed towards Hacienda, we found ourselves behind a truck in South Bend, IN (this is the first time I have ever seen a vehicle advertising this in my entire life) that had printed on the back "Sign Shop- Call this number xxx-xxx-xxxx." The Universe has spoken, there will be a sign titled "The Fabulous Dusten Lyvers" in my front yard.
Yaaaaaas, Universe.

xoxo, Dusten

It's a hard life being a senator on SGA

As a senator in the IU (Indiana University) system, we have a lot of responsibilities. I'm one of the ten pillars, or senators, that keep this student body at Indiana University South Bend running happily and smoothly. It's not always easy running a $636,000 budget every year, but I try my best to be as serious and effective as possible. Please, enjoy the video about the important and life altering decisions I have to make for students on our campus... enjoy a few snapshots during the process...

As you can see, the process is a daunting one. It takes a special senator with a fearless and daring personality to make the hard decisions. I only hope I can make my student body proud. There is the actual official document depicting the ranked applicants during the process, a precious heirloom in Student Government Association History. Just trying to make the world a little better than I found it.

xoxo, Dusten

To all my Psychology Fam

This is an actual assignment I had to turn in during my 500 level Master's in Counseling class. It is titled "Letter to Freud," and as the title suggests, that is just what it is. Have fun reading it! :D

Letter to Freud

Dear Freud,

            I want to thank you for all that you contributed to the world that I now live in. I can remember the first time I heard your name, it was during my first psychology class in high school. My teacher at that time was Ms. Kitkowski, and she spoke about your contributions to psychology. You paved the way for a young gay boy at seventeen years old who did not know what he wanted to do with his life until he took his first class in psychology. It is because of you, Freud, that I will have a career and meaning in my life. Even though I do not agree with all of your theories or the way that you go about your therapeutic style, I would not be where I am today without your pioneering efforts to make the field of psychology and counseling what it is today.

            I would like to think since you started this whole healing effort in the world that you would look at those who follow in your footsteps kindly from the other side. However, in addition to learning about your theories in every psychology class I have taken in the past six to seven years, I have also had the chance to learn about your very distinct personality. If you were alive you would definitely not agree with my therapeutic style, and you would say I’m full of shit while throwing a temper tantrum. In God’s infinite mercy, let’s hope he allowed for you to see others’ points of view, especially in the realm of psychology, without judgement or ill will. If you have even the faintest bit of interest in me, you would also appreciate my subtle clever humor written in this letter.

            I think you would also like know that there are even some psychologists who make a living by attacking your theories. A personal favorite that I have found many clinicians in the psych-world like is your theory of “penis envy.” I could tell you my thoughts on penises all day since I’m a young gay man with a strong sex drive, and I want to try my hand at sex therapy too, but that’s a topic for another day. You personally inspired Karen Horney to develop a theory in stark contrast to yours called “womb envy.” I know that you are probably laughing at this on the other side, but just know that you are still impacting the field, even in some semi-humorous ways. Full disclosure Freud, I like my penis, I have no interest in bearing children like Horney believes, but I don’t envy my penis either, or envy other penises. I’m comfortable with my penis.

            I will continue to add my fair share to the psychology blood-line that you have created, even though I don’t fully agree with your theories, or character. I will even use some of your techniques, I have tried my hand at hypnosis and I have found that I am effective with it. I also like your idea of free association, but between me and you, I know that you developed that technique by rambling a bunch of bullshit while drunk and high at a bar with your friends. I can totally see you flaunting your new technique to the world while causing a scene due to your big ego (clever reference here, I know), but I’m glad you had the balls to do it before anyone else. Thanks again Freud, and I’d like to hang out with you for a bit when my time comes.

With Thoughts, Dusten

I'm doing mini readings at Mystic Beads Today!

I'm just breathing and preparing to leave out the door. I love doing readings out of Mystic Beads! :D

I always think it's so cray how Julie and Boyd put my name out on their sign! I am so pumped for a full day of readings! Usually the line is outside the door and people are fighting for time slots! :P

These girls took such good care of me in the shop today! The one even bought me the most delicious veggie burrito! Spirit is still alive and well. Thank you. :)

I have a new hair style! 

I feel that it is time for a change in my life... and so I have decided to go "blunde!" The new hair style that is sweeping the nation, a blonde and brunette mix! Check out the second video below for the full behind the scenes story! 

As you can see, I am a little nervous when it comes to new chemicals going on my body... but I just breathed through the process and knew that Spirit would take care of me...

I think it was worth it! What do you guys think? :D