TurningLeaf Wellness Center - It's not about change, it's about growth

HELPING OURSELVES FIRST

2012-03-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

One of my colleagues made a statement about marriage therapy I believe is important to pass along. She said, “I think people need to work on themselves first and clear up their individual issues before the couple counseling can be effective.” As I thought about this, it is true in all relationships and not just in marriages. In a friendship or in a work relationship, if we have personal issues centered around poor self-esteem, controlling others, poor boundaries, etc. it effects the relationship.

Steven Covey in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” outlines the 7 habits in working first on taking care of the inside of ourselves and then dealing with the outside or public. I would like to reference these habits for those who have not read the book, as a reminder of the importance of dealing with yourself first and the steps in doing so.

The first three habits:

(1) Be Proactive

(2) Begin with and End in Mind

(3) Put First things First

All deal with our ability to govern our life. Being proactive means taking responsibility for your life and thinking before you act. Beginning with the end in mind means defining your goals and your mission in life so your direction in life is clear. Putting first things first means to prioritize and do the most important things first so that your life doesn’t become cluttered.

The next 4 habits are centered on being able to interact effectively with others. Habit (4) is about thinking or working for a win-win. It is an attitude of mutual respect for the opinion of others as well as your own. Habit (5) is seek first to understand and then to be understood. All have a unique insight and we need to listen with intent to understand rather than to reply. Habit (6) is to synergize. When we work together with an attitude of success for all we will achieve more. Finally habit (7) is sharpening the saw. Sharpening the saw is about taking care of you and renewing yourself physically, socially/emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

I would love to hear ways you take care of yourself first so you can in turn have healthy relationships with others. Email me at pca@infowest.com with questions or comments.

Richard Y Moody, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

BRAIN BALANCE

2012-02-14T12:14:00.002-07:00

Last fall, I talked about three areas of recovery. The first is a need to be committed to the process of recovery and to doing the hard work required. And, it is tough work. It is “my” work and no one can do it for me. Therefore, I am accountable for my choices and consequences of my choices. The second area was balance and the six areas of balance were identified: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial. The third area is living in today or “the present moment”.

My last blog post I talked about the book, My Stroke of Insight, A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey, by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. She talks about the amazing healing power of the human body and brain. There are amazing gifts to each of us. Believe it or not there is a need for balance of the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Prior to her stroke, Ms. Taylor states that she lived much of the time in the left brain of analytical thinking. Since the stroke was in the left brain, her right brain now became dominant. She describes this as “gaining access to the experience of deep inner peace in the consciousness of my right mind when the language and orientation association areas in the left hemisphere became nonfunctional.” She further states that her goal during her process of recovery has been to find a healthy balance between the right and left hemispheres, and also to be aware and in charge of which (right or left) dominated her perspective at any given moment.

In recovery work, there is a saying of needing “to talk the talk and walk the walk”. We also refer to how our head (left hemisphere) as the thinking part and it is telling us to do one thing while our heart, feelings or intuition (right hemisphere) is telling us the opposite. There are numerous ways to describe the two hemispheres and she believes they are very separate and distinct. Therefore, it is important to honor both thoughts and feelings and to find alignment here. She used the phrase “step to the right” when she found she was over thinking and needed to relax and allow the feeling/intuitive right brain to come forth. Just spend some time checking in with yourself? Which hemisphere of the brain is more dominant? Can you choose to “shift to the right”? Often addicts, substance abusers (alcohol/drugs) use their addiction to avoid the right hemisphere feeling brain? How comfortable are you with your feelings? How comfortable are you with working with feelings and thoughts and finding that balance?

Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC

Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor

TurningLeafWellnessCenter.com

YOUR OPINION MATTERS!

2012-02-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

I am often amazed at how little people think of themselves. I recently had a woman who was injured several years ago by a fall and who relies on her family for care say, “I am such a burden and I have little to offer to anyone around me”. She and many others often believe they have little to offer to others and their opinion does not count.

Let me make it very clear, your opinion always counts! I say this because of the way each of us is put together. We all come from hundreds of millions of different gene combinations from our parents and grandparents and genetically none of us is alike. All of us are raised in a different environment even if you come from the same family as your siblings and are all raised in the same town and home. No one ever has the same experiences as their siblings or friends. We may all go to the same place or be in the same accident or have the same physical experience but because of our genetics and experience to that point in our lives we see it in a different manner and it impacts us in a different way. Thus our sense of the experience is different. Because of all of the factors affecting our lives on a daily basis we are all singularly different.

As a result I would be a fool not to listen to someone’s opinion no matter their age or situation because theirs is a unique perspective.

Richard Y Moody, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS

2012-02-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever come home to a frustrated spouse? What about arriving to work only to be greeted by an angry boss? How are you affected by the negative energy they are giving off? Most addicts in recovery would agree using drugs and/or alcohol can make dealing with the negative energy of others manageable. This poses a problem for the recovering addict: How do I deal with other’s negative attitudes without using?

Attitude is like a virus, untouchable even by the strongest antibiotic. Antibiotics have the power to slow, and even kill, the growth of the deadliest bacteria, nevertheless are powerless when confronted with the smallest virus. This leaves many of us overcome by another’s attitude, which infects us like a virus. Our smiles turn to frowns and laughter to anger as we let another’s negative attitude infect every cell of our being. There is no way to cure a virus, just like we cannot control another’s attitude. In the past we have used drugs and/or alcohol to suppress the virus multiplying inside us, and as long as we kept using our drug of choice, the virus remained suppressed and continued to multiplying under the surface.

In recovery we have made the choice to abstain from drugs and/or alcohol, leaving us vulnerable to the virus of a negative attitude which we are confronted with on a daily basis. This is why we must prepare ourselves with an arsenal of antivirals. Antivirals, unlike antibiotics, do not destroy their target, they inhibit development. Another’s attitude cannot be controlled and a virus cannot be killed. However, you can inhibit the development of another’s negative attitude within yourself. Support, meetings, counselors, groups and self-care are all antivirals we must use in our recovery in order to inhibit the development of a negative attitude within ourselves and maintain our sobriety.

So if attitude is a contagious virus, what kind of virus are you spreading to others?

Ally Neppl, CSAC, ES

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Equine Specialist

www.TurningLeafWellnessCenter.com

HEALING THE BRAIN IN RECOVERY

2012-02-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have been challenged to blog once a week and I am making a commitment to do so. No, this was not originally one of my New Year’s Resolutions, however, it now is.

I recently finished reading the book My Stroke of Insight, a Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. At age 37 she suffered a massive stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. She states it took 8 years, however, she has now healed her brain completely and her book recounts her journey. It is a powerful read in further understanding the brain, the right and left hemispheres, and the brains amazing capacity to heal. Since alcohol and drugs also affect the brain, I learned some important tools that can apply for healing the brain in recovery from addiction. In her Appendix B at the back of the book, she lists Forty Things I Needed the Most. I am not going to repeat all 40, however, I am going to paraphrase the first 5 and compare healing in recovery from addiction.

Number 1 – I am not stupid, I am wounded. Please respect me. When someone is wounded physically it is easy to see and be empathetic, however, when one’s brain is wounded, it is hard to see and appreciate just how severe the wound may be. In the process of recovery, it is important to respect ourselves and how we have wounded our brain enough to do the work of healing. Dr. Taylor spent eight years working and challenging herself to heal her brain completely. She is living proof, it can be done! Yes, she had a great support group, however, she did the hard work.

Number 2 – Come close, speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Here she talks about how energy can be positive or negative to our healing. Those who are loud and speak fast with nervous energy is counter-productive. How is our own energy and how is the energy of others around us.

Number 3 – repeat yourself, assume I know nothing and start from the beginning over and over. So many times I hear from client, “ I know all that, I have been to treatment before”. Perhaps repetition is needed for my brain to internalize and for me to take action?

Number 4 – Be patient with me the 20^th time you teach me something, as you were the first. The average for treatment experiences by clients with addictions is 8. How patient can we be with ourselves and with others in the recovery process?

Number 5 – Approach me with an open heart and slow your energy down. Take your time. Hopefully, we can approach our recovery and healing with an open heart and offer the same to others.

Again, any thoughts and comments from others is greatly appreciated.

Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC

Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor

TurningLeafWellnessCenter.com

ADVERSITY: DON'T YOU KNOW? IT'S POTENTIAL ENERGY!

2012-02-01T16:47:00.002-07:00

It is important for us as human beings to remove the value statement of “Wrong” from the adversity we experience throughout our lives. So many times as I have worked with clients, the fear of being wrong has played a significant role in their ability to take healthy risks, progress, let go and heal. It is critical for us as human beings to change the way we see adversity.

We have grown in our understanding to believe that adversity comes because of something we have done wrong or believe it is some form of cosmic punishment. The reality is adversity is the potential energy that growth needs to occur. Just as a germinating seed will grow within its husk, pushing itself to the point where it eventually bursts through; the strength and energy it now has after working through adversity creates the capacity to then penetrate through the soil under which it finds itself.

Our adversities are no different in that they contain the same energy which will propel us forward. Our understanding and confidence building will increase to prepare us for the journeys that lie ahead. To stifle or avoid it is to deny progression. Avoidance comes through the fear of not wanting to be wrong or feel discomfort. We find ways to avoid through addictions, blame, self-loathing and other forms that keep us numb. The solution comes through embracing adversity and understanding that it is potential energy that promotes growth.

Simply put, here are the steps to moving through adversity:

1. Change the way you see adversity. Adversity is potential energy that promotes growth.

2. Remove the fear of adversity by seeing the value in it. Adversity is needed to progress.

3. Build a tolerance for the discomfort that adversity creates. Let go of the fear of being wrong.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

YOU WANT ME TO GO WHERE?

2012-01-27T15:28:00.002-07:00

The willingness to commit ourselves to a path that brings both knowledge and growth requires commitment. It is our commitment that opens the doors and guides our feet as we set out on a journey to progress and heal. It is through the commitment to the path that intention is born.

The intention that we carry in our hearts will always guide our focus and give us the ability to see the subtle answers that we normally would miss day to day. As we walk with a hunger in our hearts and an appetite for whatever it is we seek, our senses are more open to finding, consuming and internalizing the steps we need. As we progress through our days, if we commit to ourselves to set healthy boundaries with those we love and do not let fears or insecurities interfere, we will be more alert to the subtleties. We will have the ability to discern how and when to set boundaries even when we find resistance in it.

Commitment is what pushes through the barrier of resistance and allows us to refocus on the intention of keeping relationships healthy. We do not allow discomfort sway us from the ultimate path we are on.

Dean N Nixon
Seminars Director, Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

I DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THIS WHEN I STARTED

2012-01-20T08:44:00.001-07:00

Humans have a tendency to be extremely adaptable. This has been proven simply by the ability we have to live and survive in the extremist of conditions. At times I think to myself, “We have no business living in the desert when it’s 125 degrees.” Then I see those who live in Antarctica or the Arctic Circle and not only live but thrive. This is true of all climates.

It is this adaptability that often times becomes our demise. A few weeks back I was pulling oranges from a box. I was intrigued by the fact that round oranges had flat sides where they had pressed next to another orange very tightly in this box. I pondered how the natural shape of this orange had been changed by its need to adapt to the temporary living conditions prior to being consumed. It was then that I realized we are also like these oranges and our natural shaped behaviors, thoughts and feelings can all be shaped by the environment that we allow ourselves to be in.

I have often said that we are easily defined by our 5 closest friends because it’s these 5 closest friends we allow to influence our shape. Take a look and see if you can learn something new about yourself. Are you like the orange?

Dean N Nixon
Seminars Director, Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

IT'S NOT ABOUT CHANGE, IT'S ABOUT GROWTH

2012-01-14T11:09:00.002-07:00

What does this mean???

TurningLeaf has founded this motto based upon the understanding that the majority of human social issues come from trying to change who they are, to be of value to somebody else, rather than taking who they are and growing the strengths that are inherently theirs.

Our philosophy is derived from the two ways that people are motivated. Fear or Love. We have learned that fear, as a long term motivator, is a defunct system and that over time, breaks down, creating repetitive unhealthy behaviors. Love or “Value Based” motivation creates long term healthy behaviors, simply by helping people understand why they are doing what they are doing.

Value Based Living increases the understanding and need to continue healthy behaviors.

Currently we implement value based living in all of our services. Specifically, if you have thought about attending our Value Based parenting class but wanted more information, follow the link which will bring you directly to our web page that gives a breakdown of this 8 week course. (Value Based Parenting)

Dean N Nixon
Seminars Director, Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

SILENCE

2012-01-09T13:05:00.002-07:00

The restlessness of the day disturbs the stillness of the quiet mind. It is within the silent moments that we can find answers to the struggles we are working through. By increasing the stillness or the quiet moments we will connect to our discernment. Just as the stillness of water reflects our image, the stillness of our minds will reflect the answers we seek.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

JUST ONE MORE PIECE OF PIE

2012-01-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

The true demise of New Year’s resolutions isn’t the failure to accomplish them, but the intent by which they were set. Most of the time we feel that the true failure to keep New Year’s resolutions is due to a lack of will power or the inability to stay committed. In truth, the demise is set within the intent of why we chose the resolutions to begin with.

All too often we allow external influences to become our motivation rather than focusing on our own truth, our own needs and focusing on what is healthy for us. For example, getting caught up in the physical self-image that we portray to the world and placing high value on our physical appearance can often times cause us to be self-conscious or insecure about our weight. We plan on losing weight, or working on our figure knowing that we will be attending a high school reunion or playing on the beach in the summer. We work hard until we reach those end dates. Once those end dates have moved on our purpose and resolution has now disappeared. We find our motivation to continue to exercise and eat well starts to become less of a priority.

If, however, we can see the value in the long term health benefits, we can now start to focus more on the value of why we are doing what we are doing as an internal motivation rather than an external. This can be accomplished by focusing on how we feel when we are eating healthy and exercising and focusing on the feel of the success of keeping our agreements with ourselves and commitments that we have made. The New Year’s resolutions that are most often kept come from an internal motivation and resolve to increase one’s value and the ability to see ourselves in a long term healthy way.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

FACEBOOK CONTEST - Win TurningLeaf Services

2011-08-02T15:59:00.003-06:00

TurningLeaf Wellness Center "LIKE" Contest

HOW IT WORKS?

The "LIKE" contest is simple. Every new "LIKE" to the TurningLeaf Wellness Center Facebook fan page from August 2, 2011 to August 31, 2011 will be entered into a drawing to win a TurningLeaf seminar gift certificate (Valued at $478). This certificate may be used for any scheduled seminar through 2012. TurningLeaf will keep track of who is "LIKE" ing the page through reports available to us.

CURRENT FANS

For our current fans, we did not forget about you. If you are the one who referred the Winner of the contest, you will also win a Seminar Gift Certificate in addtion to TWO coaching sessions with Dean Nixon, Life Coach. As new fans are referred, a thank you will be placed on their wall asking who referred them. If the new fan lists you as the person who referred them, we will make note of your name, in case they are the Winner. New fans may list multiple people who referred them. In this case, and if they win, a separate drawing for those who referred them will take place for the multiple people listed. In the event that no referral is given, a random drawing will occur among all those who have been listed as a referral for others. The more people you referred, the more entries you will have in the drawing.

INCREASE YOUR CHANCES

If you are a New fan during the contest time frame, you may also increase your chances of winning by making your own referrals to the TurningLeaf Wellness Center fan page.

How to Find our Page and SHARE?

At the top of this site, click on the Facebook icon which will take you directly to the TurningLeaf Fan page. If you haven't already, click the "LIKE" icon. Then, share the page with your friends by clicking the "Share" button (found on the lower left hand side of the page) which will post a link on your Facebook wall. In your personal message, post something like “Like this page for a chance to win a Free Seminar valued at $478. Don’t forget who referred you if you win, because I will win too”

Additional Information

No purchase necessary. No age restrictions apply. Contest ends August 31, 2011 at Midnight. The winner will be contacted the same day as the drawing (September 5, 2011) through a Facebook post. The winner(s) will also be announced on the TurningLeaf Wellness Center Facebook wall.

TRUE BALANCE

2011-08-01T15:54:00.001-06:00

True balance is one of the hardest things for humans to acquire because of where we chose to put our focus. We tend to become more focused on balance as what we want things to feel like rather than embracing what it is in the moment. An evaluation of which we may be more focused on can be done by looking at which of the two kinds of emotional pain and discomfort is present in our lives (necessary pain or unnecessary pain). Necessary emotional pain and discomfort is what generates growth and emotional coping skills. Unnecessary emotional pain and discomfort is created by our fears and expectations and is where we allow ourselves to draw our personal value from. We fear emotional discomfort because we often perceive it as a sign of weakness, that we are bad or that there is something “wrong” with us or the other who is causing it. With this energy we assume we are out of balance. The reality may simply be that this emotional discomfort is what we need to help us progress and grow to become balanced. True balance is obtained when we learn to stop avoiding issues and problems that are necessary in our lives. It is not achieved by eliminating all emotional discomfort. Embracing our humanity and accepting our short comings, while doing our best to eliminate unnecessary emotional pain, will prove itself to bring true balance.

Dean N Nixon
Seminar Director, Life Coach
TurningLeaf Wellness Center

EMOTIONAL BALANCE - Honoring Feelings and Emotions

2011-08-01T13:33:00.001-06:00

Last week we discussed mental balance as one of the six areas of balance. This week the third area of balance to be discussed is emotional balance. The Level 1 Seminar is as important for emotional balance as it is for mental. Do you remember the Serenity Prayer said at the end of Twelve Step meetings? “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. How often do you feel peaceful and serene? Many of us try to avoid feeling emotional pain or discomfort. We may use alcohol and/or drugs to avoid feelings; to escape from feeling pain. Sometimes, we may even escape the joy or sabotage our own success if we are not feeling “good enough” or “worthy”. Sometimes we are feeling the guilt and shame of our thoughts or actions and this keeps us stuck in our addictions. Remember, feelings are not good or bad they are just feelings. They are clues to my emotional state moment to moment. I can accept and honor: “this is what I am feeling” and then choose how to work with the feelings. I can choose constructive or destructive ways to handle my emotions. For example, if I am feeling angry, I can go to the gym rather than “punch” a wall or someone. Galileo reminds us: “We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.” Discovering and honoring feelings can be rewarding and it helps us identify with others as we all feel feelings . In Seminar, we learn there are two ways to live life: coming from love or coming from fear. A Course in Miracles states: Perfect love casts out fear. If fear exists, then there is not perfect love. But only perfect love exists. If there is fear, it produces a state that does not exist. And Emily Dickinson wrote: That love is all there is, Is all we know of love. I have found meditation most helpful in getting to know and honor my feelings. What have you found? Click the "Contact Us" tab at the top of the page and let me know. I would love to hear from you.

Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC

Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor

TurningLeafWellnessCenter.com

MENTAL BALANCE and SELF-CARE - Take your power back

2011-07-19T13:24:00.002-06:00

In my last blog, physical balance of self-care in relation to Substance Abuse Recovery was discussed. Today let's talk about mental self-care as a part of the six areas of balance. How often to you check in with your mind and your thoughts? Are you a positive or a negative thinker? Do you believe that you have a choice to change your thoughts? Are your thoughts working for you are against you? As you thought about each of these questions, hopefully, you are aware that you have the power and the choice to change the way you think. You are responsible for your thoughts. Certainly there are people from the past who have influenced the way you think and there are people today who may still influence your thoughts. You, however, have the power to choose whether or not you are influenced. One of the first things to consider, is experimenting with challenging your thoughts and taking back some of your personal power. How willing are you? I find it helpful to think of the brain as a computer that has been programmed. You have done the programming and you can choose to reprogram your thinking. Certainly people have been influenced the programming, however, you alone choose to keep the negative programs running. So, choose today to make a different choice and put boundaries around those thoughts. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "People only see what they are prepared to see." Or Robertson Davis said: The eyes see only what the mind is prepared to comprehend." Are you stuck in a self-limiting belief system because of this? In our Substance Abuse Recovery and Life Skills Group, we address this and it is a start. Have you worked with Affirmations? This is a way to start reprogramming the brain. However, if you really want to challenge your belief system attend a Personal Development Seminar offered by TurningLeaf. The Level I Seminar is a part of the Intensive Outpatient program and will help anyone start to identify self-limiting beliefs and thoughts and begin to think and be more positive and loving. You can improve your life in so many ways and it is my joy to see people make positive changes in their thoughts and actions. Do not doubt, you can do it. As stated by William Shakespeare: "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt". We are here to show you ways to take back your personal power and live a more fulfilled and joyful life.

Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC

Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

NEW LOOK, FEEL and CONTENT of TURNINGLEAF BLOGS

2011-07-15T15:35:00.002-06:00

One of the main questions I get over and over is how do I increase the value within myself? The answer is very simple, it’s the ability to invest in one’s self and to find ways to continue to change the way we see ourselves. Many times in our lives we reach out to find answers when we are struggling. But we fail to maintain that nurturing spirit when times are good. Just like the physical body the emotional and mental body needs continual nutrition. We are continually bombarded daily with information that is both helpful and toxic. We have the ability to digest healthy information and material.

For this purpose TurningLeaf has now turned to our blogs as a source of continual nutrition on an emotional and developmental level. The information contained come from professionals in the fields of personal development, emotional growth, parenting, addiction and mental health. We hope our blogs become a source of insight and information and you will continue to refer to them. We are grateful for insight, input or requests for information in the source of feedback along with questions we can address in future posts. This is about you and the needs of your personal development. Visit our "Contact Us" page to send your questions and feedback.

Aside from mine, TurningLeaf hosts 4 other main blogs which can be found on our website or in the right hand column of this or any other TurningLeaf Blog. They include; TurningLeaf Wellness Center (All Areas of Wellness), Richard Y Moody, Ph.D. (Mental Health), Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC (Substance Abuse) and Jamie Lightner, Life Coach (Parenting). Each blog will now have a new post at least weekly with information pertaining to its area of expertise. These posts will link to TurningLeaf’s Facebook fan page in addition to each individual’s fan page.

It’s not about change, It’s about growth! Watch for future posts and use this tool to keep moving forward!

Dean N Nixon

Seminar Director, Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

SIX AREAS OF BALANCE - Physical

2011-06-07T13:22:00.001-06:00

Last week I discussed the six areas of balance and this week I am focusing on physical balance. Physical balance looks at how I stay physically healthy with exercise and diet. Let's take about exercise first. There have been studies that show regular walking helps mental and physical health. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of cardio exercise daily and walking works! TurningLeaf Wellness Center has a Zumba class taught by Cliff Tapusoa on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Zumba's motto is "Ditch the workout and join the party." Cliff really does make it fun! This is a beginning class and he will go slow so no one needs to be fearful as he wants you to "get it". When you find yourself stepping out of your comfort zone and trying even though you are afraid, that is when you gain confidence and personal power. Classes are $5 or you can buy a punch card for $20 and the 5th class is free. Great deal! We have had a Kundalini yoga class in the past and I loved it and I would like to start another one. There are so many fun ways to exercise and feel great. Do you have a favorite? I would love to hear about yours. Now let's talk briefly about diet. I am quoting ideas from a book I would highly recommended buying and reading: "All Health's Breaking Loose: The Handbook by Loa Blasucci. What are you willing to experiment with as far as diet? Most of us do not eat very healthy; the American diet is sorely lacking. Consider this: "Toxic foods prevent us from feeling our best, and therefore our reactions to situation may be be at their best - the vicious cycle begins. Begin to notice how your body feels as you become toxin-free. Eliminate: sugar, white flour, caffeine, processed and packaged foods, milk, diet soda, pork, cold cuts, and any cannor boxed food with additives. These substances accelerate aging. They are basically 'dead' foods that offer no energy to your body and contribute to degeneration and decay. They prevent you from feeling the vibrance that you deserve to feel." This may seen extreme, however, hopefully, it will help you to pay more attention and be more aware of what you are eating. "How you eat is how you fuel your body. This 'fuel' will determine how good you feel, and feeling good is how you win the game of life." If you are intrigued read Loa's book, it is filled with great health ideas. From Walt Whitman: "If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred". How well are you honoring yourself in this area?

Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

6 AREAS OF BALANCE

2011-06-01T13:15:00.001-06:00

For the month of June, I would like to focus on balance as an essential part of the recovery process. How committed are you to working a balanced recovery program? Commitment can be strengthened by doing a daily inventory to see how well balanced you were for the day. Also, it is important to live in the present and work at this one day at a time. It is important to live in today and not in the past or the future; yesterday is gone and tomorrow is yet to be. Today is all we have. These are six areas of balance to consider: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial. Next week, we will address physical balance. Start thinking about each of these areas and how you honor each area each day. To quote George Bernard Shaw: "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get UP and look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them. What are you making of your life today? Do you eat healthy and exercise regularly. Are you aware of your thoughts; are they positive or negative? Are you thoughts self-affirming or self-defeating? Are you comfortable with all of your feelings and know how to use them constructively? Who and where do you find social support; do you know how to play, laugh, and have fun? What is your spiritual basis? The Twelve Steps are a spiritual program and the best recovery is found in combining treatment and Twelve Step meetings. Finances are the last piece in the balance equation and we will look at what that entails. I am excited to focus on each area and look forward to your ideas as well. One final note from Lao Tzu: "If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

Sue Judd, M.S.S., LSAC

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

The Overwhelming Cost of Addiction Treatment

2011-05-11T09:29:00.002-06:00

As an addictions counselor, I am, and have been for some time, frustrated that clients need or want treatment and cannot pay. Even with insurance, it can be overwhelming. However, many clients have no insurance. Often they give up after the initial evaluation especially if Intensive Outpatient treatment is recommended. They give up and do not even give it a try or they find "something cheaper", or they may start and then drop out because they feel overwhelmed. There is the often erroneous belief that they somehow found the money for alcohol or drugs, so just take that money and pay for treatment. However, the monies they used for drugs were often acquired illegally, ie., through dealing, stealing, etc. Or they have let things go unpaid to use bill monies for alcohol or drugs and once sober, they are trying to play catch-up as well as pay for treatment. We will be able to offer sliding scale rates based on income for substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and/or seminars. In April, we had an open house at TurningLeaf Wellness Center to announce the TurningLeaf Foundation. Our Executive Director, Shelley Lantz, has been a major force in paperwork filed and sharing her expertise in fund raising. I owe her a big thank-you. Our initial fundraiser is collecting change and filling the jar we have in our front waiting area as many times as we can within the next 100 days with spare change. Or we can send you a bag to fill and you can be a "change bandit" asking others to help. Our goal is $100 in 100 days from as many people willing to collect change and give to help save a life and families. If you or someone you know needs help with treatment, counseling or seminars, please go to the TurningLeaf Wellness Center web site or the TurningLeaf Foundation web site. Give us some basic information and we will call you.

Sue Judd, M.S.S., L.S.A.C.

Help us Help "One Life at a Time!"

2011-05-03T15:15:00.000-06:00

We are collecting spare change as a fundraiser for TurningLeaf Foundation. Little effort can yield Big Results. If you would like to participate please email ed.tlfoundation@gmail.com. We will get a "Collection Kit" to you. In 16 days, one business efforts collected $153.92. In 100 days that would be $625.00! More than enough to help someone in need of services. If we had 10 people collecting spare change for 100 days...Just Imagine! Evidence speaks for itself! -- http://www.TurningLeafFoundation.org

Healthy equals Beautiful

2011-04-23T14:24:00.001-06:00

"I believe that how you feel is very important to how you look - that healthy equals beautiful." -- Victoria Principal

The Economy of the Heart

2011-04-22T12:47:00.001-06:00

"Forgiveness is the economy of the heart... forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits."
- Hannah More

Found it with QuoteZen (http://bit.ly/quotezen)

Let Go of Resentment

2011-03-31T08:00:00.001-06:00

"Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head." -- Esther Lederer, a.k.a. Ann Landers, 1918-2002, Syndicated Advice Columnist

Behavioral Addiction

2011-03-28T20:03:00.000-06:00

http://www.stumbleupon.com/to/s/1PXYWp

What kind of Life do you want?

2011-03-24T23:30:00.001-06:00

"The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years." - Deepak Chopra