Second Chance to Live

Second Chance to Live –1400th Article — Special Edition

Second Chance to Live — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 17:41:07 +0000

Today’s article marks my 1400th article written since creating Second Chance to Live on February 6, 2007. Since creating Second Chance to Live some exciting events have taken place. Earlier this year I created 5 e Books to consolidate some of my articles and video presentations.

Below are links to my 5 e Books that are free for download

Living with a Brain Injury eBook Putting the Pieces in Place 60 Video Presentations (PDF file)

Being Your own Hero through Overcoming Adversity – Tool for Rebuilding Your Life e Book

Living with a brain injury and Building Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance e Book

Living with a Brain Injury, Making Sense of Why and What is my Destiny? e Book

Living with a Brain Injury, What Helped Me to Stop being my Enemy and Create a life for Myself e Book

On June 16, 2015 I launched a second website, Create a Spark of Hope; to share principles of recovery that have helped me to remove blocks and create hope in my life during the past 48+ years post traumatic brain injury.

In the last several weeks I have taken steps to have my own “real estate” on the world-wide web. My websites can now be found at the below addresses:

Second Chance to Live at secondchancetolive.org and Create a Spark of Hope at createasparkofhope.com.

With a help of a friend, I am in the process of moving Second Chance to Live and Create a Spark of Hope.

Once the move has been completed, I will write an article to let you know; so that you can begin reading article at those locations.

For the time being, no changes need to be made on your end.

I look forward to continuing to write, publish and create video presentations.

Have a great day.

Craig

You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however please attribute me as being the author of the article (s) video presentation (s), and provide a link back to the article (s) on Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. Copyright 2007-2015.

Receive more articles like this one simply by clicking on Subscribe to Second Chance to Live by email.

Bookmark and Share Second Chance to Live with your friends through a Feed Reader Subscribe in a reader

If my articles and video presentations can benefit anyone whom you know, you are free to share these articles and video presentations with them. You have my permission. If they have any questions, please have them contact me. All questions are good questions. Click on this link to contact me: Contact page

[contact-form]

Tagged: createasparkofhope.com, North Carolina, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Recovery, secondchancetolive.org, Traumatic Brain Injury Recovvery

Resentment and The Power of Forgiveness Video Presentation

Second Chance to Live — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:48:51 +0000

Several weeks ago I wrote and published the article, Resentment and The Power of Forgiveness. Today I will publish a video presentation of the article. Below is a brief excerpt of the article.

“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner!” Max Lucado

Last night I attended a support group meeting the topic of forgiveness was tabled for discussion. I listened to what people shared and when it came time for me to share. I shared my perspective. In my experience, I have found that resentments stem from unforgiveness and unforgiveness many times can be traced to expectations that have not been met or fulfilled. In my experience, I have found I may not even be aware of the reasons for resentment (s) until a current event reminds me of my resentment(s).

Resentment (s), unchecked and unresolved; smolder like lava beneath a volcano. Resentment (s), unchecked and unresolved, grow like a malignant tumor slowly destroying beneath the surface. Resentment (s), unchecked and unresolved; come out sideways, as the lava of unforgivenesss, through anger; oozes out at unpredictable and unexpected times. Resentment (s) unchecked and unresolved; leave banished souls in their wake. Banished from relationships, hopes and dreams that might have been.

“Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Carrie Fisher

“Bitterness and resentment only hurt one person, and it’s not the person we’re resenting – it’s us.” Alana Stewart

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of harming another; you end up getting burned.” Author unknown

“Resentments leave me stuck believing that I am a victim of some thing that I am powerless to change. The good news is that as I let go of the resentment (s), I am able to stop believing that I am a victim over that which I am powerless to change.” Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA

But there is good news. I have found that resentments can be checked and resolved through a process. The process involves being honest with myself, taking the time to examine who I am resentful at, the cause of my resentment, how the resentment impacts (impacted) my — self-esteem, personal relationships, finances, material goods, security, ambitions and my emotional well-being and what were my motives that resulted in my becoming resentful (what part did my motives play in forming the resentment).”

To watch and listen to the video presentation of the article, you may click on this link: Resentment and The Power of Forgiveness Video Presentation

To read the article from which this video presentation in made, you may click on this link: Resentment and The Power of Forgiveness

Receive more articles like this one simply by clicking on Subscribe to Second Chance to Live by email.

Bookmark and Share Second Chance to Live with your friends through a Feed Reader Subscribe in a reader

[contact-form]

Tagged: Freedom from resentment, Freedom from Unforgiveness, North Carolina, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Traumatic brain injury recovery, unrealistic expectations

What’s Holding You Back? Video Presentation

Second Chance to Live — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:09:38 +0000

Several weeks ago I wrote and published the article, What’s Holding You Back? Today, I am going to make a video presentation of the article. Below is a brief excerpt from the article:

“I attended a support group meeting earlier today. The topic that was selected was spiritual awakenings. The discussion was set and people began to share their experiences with spiritual awakenings. When the time came for me to share, this is what I discovered through my recovery process. First, I discovered that I had transferred my relationship with my Dad on to my relationship with God. The relationship I had with my Dad was one in which my good was rarely good enough, to be enough. I experienced a come close go away relationship with my Dad.

That coupled with being blamed, shamed and made to feel responsible for the criticism that I received for not being good enough. I internalized the message that I was therefore not worth being enough, to be able to count on my Dad. In my desire to please my Dad I strove all the more to gain his approval, which only came when I worked to meet his expectations. I also felt responsible for the reason why my Dad did not give me his approval, because I clearly did not prove my worth and value in his eyes. As an adult I continued to seek the approval of surrogate “dads”.

Through my recovery process I discovered that much of my approval seeking and people pleasing was driven by my desire to gain my Dad’s approval. What I discovered through my recovery process was that I had transferred my concept of God from my relationship with my Dad. I am not blaming my Dad, for he did the best he knew how to do; probably because of the example that his Dad set with him. Although I am not, I imagine being a Dad is very difficult. What I discovered through my recovery process was that I needed to forgive my Dad, to make peace with God.”

To watch and listen to the video presentation of the article, you may click on this link: What’s Holding You Back? Video Presentation

To read the article from which this video presentation is made, you may click on this link: What’s Holding You Back?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great day.

Craig

Receive more articles like this one simply by clicking on Subscribe to Second Chance to Live by email.

Subscribe to Second Chance to Live, Bookmark and Share Second Chance to Live with your friends through a Feed Reader

Subscribe in a reader

[contact-form]

Tagged: Having a relationship with a loving God, Making Peace with God, Making peace with your Dad, Making Peace with Yourself, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury

Limbic System, Fight or Flight Response and Brain Injury Recovery

Second Chance to Live — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 17:58:06 +0000

My friend, Mr. Ken Collins; has been speaking about the need to consider how the Limbic System and the flight or flight response affects individuals living with brain injuries with regard to stress. Understanding how stress impacts the manner in which individuals respond and relate to life plays a major role in each individuals recovery process. The fight or flight response can be exacerbated by a number of factors in the lives of individuals living with the impact of a brain injury. The reaction to these factors, for individuals living with brain injuries; can be accelerated and exacerbated by filters in the brain that have been damaged due to a brain injury.

Understanding how these filters have been damaged due to an injury to a brain injury can be very helpful. Understanding how these damaged filters impact how individuals react to the fight or flight process can be pivotal in the individuals recovery process. By understanding how these filters have been damaged, the individual then can take steps to monitor and use different techniques to process the stress. Through being aware of how they react to stress, individuals can in turn use the stress to empower their lives. Instead of being a reactor to the stress or, through a fight or flight response; the individual can take steps to be empowered by each stressful situation or event that occurs in their lives.

In my experience, I have found that many stressful events, evoking a “fight or flight response” in present day events; have their origins in past events.

The fight or flight response can unconsciously be triggered by unresolved issues or resentments experienced in the body, soul and spirit of the individual. These reactions can be exacerbated by damage to the filters in the brain that regulate impulse control. These unconscious reactions can unknowingly create negative consequences in an individual’s life, unless identified and addressed to a positive resolution. Techniques to quiet the “storm” at the time of the “stress-or” help to relieve the “stress or”. Facing, addressing and overcoming triggers, evoking the current stress / flight or flight response; can result in reducing future related stress.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein

Through the articles and video presentations that I have written, published and created for Second Chance to Live; I have spoken to facing, addressing and overcoming stress producing stimuli. With out being aware, I am prone to being victimized by repeating what has not worked for me, created unrest and stress in my life. By facing, addressing and working to overcome the effect of “stress ors” in my mind, body and spirit I find that I am less susceptible to reacting to those stress ors. Through being aware, I am able to make different and better choices in my life. Through using principles and strategies, I find that I am less prone to reacting to my life and more prone to responding to my life.

Facing, addressing and overcoming stress is and continues to be a process for me, as I encounter stress in my life. I have not arrived, but I am glad that I have the tools to face, address and overcome the impact of stress ors in my life. I am grateful that I do not have be controlled by the fight or flight response. I am grateful to be aware of the fight or flight response and to have the tools to help me respond to what occurs in my life, instead of subconsciously or unconsciously reacting; to what occurs in my life. I am grateful that I have tools to make peace with my past in my present, so that “stress ors” related to my past do not continue to control how I respond in my present, as I live my life.

Make Peace with Your Past, so that Your Past Does Not Spoil Your Present

Thank you Mr. Ken Collins for the important work that you are doing to bring awareness and understanding to how the Limbic System and the fight or flight response impacts the lives of individuals living with brain injuries.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great day.

Craig

Receive more articles like this one simply by clicking on Subscribe to Second Chance to Live by email.

Subscribe to Second Chance to Live, Bookmark and Share Second Chance to Live with your friends through a Feed Reader

Subscribe in a reader

[contact-form]

Tagged: Fight or Flight Response, Ken Collins, Limbic System, North Carolina, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury

Recognizing, Addressing and Overcoming Blocks to Recovery

Second Chance to Live — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 19:54:07 +0000

In my experience and through my recovery process I discovered that there were various blocks that impeded my ability to create a life for myself. In my experience I discovered how to recognize, address and work to overcome those blocks. I launched Create a Spark of Hope on June 16, 2015 to share, in a methodical and progressive manner; the blocks that I discovered through my recovery process that hindered my ability to be aware, accept and then create a life for myself as an individual living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability.

Through my recovery process, I discovered that living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability were secondary to these blocks. Living with a brain injury and invisible disability created a puzzle in and of itself, however until I began to recognize and address these blocks I found myself stuck and bewildered as I ran into one wall after another wall as I attempted to create a life for myself.

Create a Spark of Hope is an ongoing distillation of the principles and strategies that I have shared through my nearly 1400 articles and 273 video presentations published on Second Chance to Live and uploaded to You Tube. That is why I encourage my readers to start from the beginning of my Site Map of Articles on Create a Spark of Hope and read forward. The principles and strategies can help anyone create a life for themselves, regardless of the adversity they may be facing in their lives due to a disability or some other life changing event / circumstance.

The high lighted links that you see in this paragraph are links to the progression of articles posted in my Site Map of Articles on Create a Spark of Hope. I would invite you to click on each link to read through the progression of articles. By doing so you will gain insight into the process of my recognizing, addressing and overcoming these blocks to recovery. Through my recovery process I discovered that I needed to have a healthy relationship with hope, before I could begin to open, move through the door of hope, confront my denial, recognize factors that distract, realize how the drama was impacting my life, begin to own my reality, grasp that I no longer had to give my power away, keep from falling back into a victim role, breaking free from isolation and the benefit of having healthy boundaries.

I plan to continue to share information through articles on Create a Spark of Hope that you may find to be helpful in recognizing, addressing and overcoming blocks in your recovery process. Follow Create a Spark of Hope and you will receive articles as I write and publish those articles. There is a tab on Create a Spark of Hope that you can click on to follow Create a Spark of Hope.

I will say so long for now.

Have a great day.

Craig

I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great day.

Craig

Receive more articles like this one simply by clicking on Subscribe to Second Chance to Live by email.

Subscribe to Second Chance to Live, Bookmark and Share Second Chance to Live with your friends through a Feed Reader

Subscribe in a reader

[contact-form]

Tagged: Creating a Life for Yourself, Overcoming Blocks to Recovery, Strategies for Facing and Overcoming adversity