The Solution News Since 1991
January/February 2011
Recovery
Happy, Joyous and Always Free!!
Growth
Renewal
2 "Art opens the closets, airs out the cellars and attics. It brings healing." ~ Julia Cameron, from her book The Artist's Way Since the disease of addiction is due to the root cause of self-centeredness every time we get outside of ourselves we are healing. This occurs when we help others and also occurs when we are involved in the arts. More often these days professionals in the field of addiction are using a variety of forms of art, music, dance and drama to help with the healing process from trauma and addiction. We are all artists of life and it manifests for each of us in our uniqueness and individuality. My own personal passions have been photography and music. Ever since my father gave me a Leica C-3 at the age of 12 I have been taking pictures. and since I got my first trumpet I have been playing a variety of instruments. When I am involved in these activites I lose track of time and problems. I am in a zone; healing from the disease of self. I am pleased to share these phtos with you. More can be seen at: dgfine.etsy.com. I hope this inspires you to find your own artistic passion.
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The Solution News Contents Page 4 - Dave’s Page Page 5 - The Holistic Approach to Recovery Page 7 - Spiritual Medicine Tips
Page 26 - The Healing Nature of Art Page 25 - The Healing Nature of Music
Page 8 - Hotlines and Helplines
Page 26 - The Benefits of Meditation
Page 9 - Watershed Page
Page 27 - Traditional Chinese Medicine
Page 10 & 11- Events
Page 28 - Emmet Fox Page: 15 Points
Page 12 - Mindfulness Deepens 12 Step Process
Page 29 - Inspiration: The Cab Ride
Page 14 - Music and Recovery
Page 30 - Chef Lester: Healthy Eating
Page 16 - Creative Healing Page 21 - Tai Chi Page 22 - Rule 62 Page
Page 31 - Rebecca B.
Page 23 - Ask Bill: Spiritual Experience?
Page 34 - Movement Meditation
Page 32 - Mel B.: Money and Happiness Page 33 - Reverend Rhonda K. Liles
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Dave’s
Holistic Since 1935 which soon included the program, a design for living provided by the twelve steps. and the fellowship a social life that I had never really learned how to experience or participate in.
Page As people suffering from the disease of addiction we spent out active years living with the illusion that our addiction made us feel good, be happy and a part of.. When the addiction turned on us we stayed with this illusion even though our addiction made us feel bad, be unhappy and feel apart from. Once we put our addiction in remission most of us felt that life would be dull, booring and flat. In my own case I felt that libing a life without alcohol and drugs could not be fun and that there would be no joy or happiness but it would at least be better than the miseray and potentially fatal life that continuing in my addiction promised. What ws I going to do with all my time without alcohol and drugs? How was I going to fillthose clean and sober hours? For me the first solution was active involvement in a 12 step program
holistic tools as significant part of their programs. Lori Reyes, Jeannie Saros, Sarah Gntry, Kim Koslow, Giri Beck, Bernadette Gelvan, and Penelope Love were some of the teachers that help me and my readers become aware of On top of this 12 step foundation I was able to the magnificaent possibiliteis that holistic healbegin to work onunderlying mental health issues ing offered th provide health,happiness,a peacewith the help of therapists and good medication. ful mind and serenity that was never availble to us in our addiction. Finally I was encourged through the eleventh step to open my mind to the many possibilities Once thought of as “new age” fads holistic medthat spirituality, science, philosophy and medi- icine, practice and healing have become a cine had to offer. It was at this point that I dis- respected and scientifically documented and covered the writings of Emmet Foxthe new validated tool in treating addiction. Holistic thought practitioner whose body of work fit practices are practice used for infants and in closest to my own personal beliefs aroung God hospice care. It has been successfully utilized and spirituality. and is well respected by the medical and psychological professions offering more tools for As a real geopgraphical bonus I was living in mental and physical health and healing. South Florida which had become a mecca for those both seeking and living the recovering Back in 1935 our founder’s realized tha we suflifestyle. Not only did this area have possibly fered from a spiritual malady that affected mind the most vibrant recovering community in the body and spirit. One of the first recommendaworld but also an exciting new (for me) number tions for anyone entering the program in the of holistic practitioners of accupuncture, mas- early days was that they get a physical. The dissage, reiki, yoga, martial arts, therpeutic touch, ease was called an alergy. Alcoholism was clearart, dance and music therapy. ly defined as a mental illness in the big book and defined in the psychiatric terms of compulsion By nature of my publishing of the solution news and obsession. We are encouraged to seek “extra I was fortunate to meetvand become friends help” when needed and urged to explore the with some of the finest holistic healers in all “many helpful books” in Step Eleven. When all these fields. Several became advertisers and is said and done our goal is contented sobriety. contributers of content to the paper others were Once sober the big book says “the problem has implementing holistic arts to their treatment pro- been removed it does not exist for us”. “That is grams. All became friends. the miraacle of it.” That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spirituJuly Queler of Orchid, and Judy Crane of The al condition.” Holistic practices can help to keep Refuge were the first to include implement us there.
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Holistic Approach to the Addiction Recovery Process by Lucy R. Waletzky, M.D.. Marsha J. Handel, MLS As with every health condition, decreasing stress and boosting one's immunity and psychological resilience can help the body cope better, heal more quickly, and maintain health. The holistic approach encourages the patient to include healing strategies that support the whole person. There are many healing modalities that offer specific benefits related to withdrawal and relapse prevention. These modes of care can help to reduce tension, anxiety, depression and insomnia, improving overall mental, physical and spiritual well being. They also provide tools that help increase control over one's behavior in positive ways.
mal pattern of alpha and theta waves which are disturbed by long term substance abuse. Brainwave biofeedback has shown dramatic success in several studies to prevent relapses from drug and alcohol addiction. * Exercise - Exercise provides benefits on many levels - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - that can contribute to the process of addiction recovery. A regular exercise program can boost mood and immunity, increase self-esteem, improve sleep, increase vitality, and promote a deepened awareness of the connection of mind and body.
For the best chance of success the healing approaches mentioned below need to be combined with total abstinence, a 12 step program and other addiction recovery resources. Many of the healing approaches described are currently used in addiction treatment centers and are increasingly being studied in scientific clinical trials. Some studies of acupuncture, brain wave biofeedback and meditation have already shown dramatically improved success rates. * Acupuncture - Auricular, or ear, acupuncture is based on the idea that points in the ear are associated with specific parts of the body. Thus acupuncture needles placed in the ear can achieve a therapeutic effect anywhere in the body. Acupuncture is often used to reduce symptoms related to withdrawal and detoxification and may also have a role in relapse prevention by reducing anxiety, craving, irritability, the inability to focus, and muscle aches. * Biofeedback - Biofeedback uses instruments to provide information back to patients on their internal bodily processes so they can then learn to change those processes. This can include reducing muscular tension, heart and respiratory rate, and blood pressure, for example. Biofeedback has been found effective in several aspects of addiction treatment such as stress reduction and anxiety sensitivity, a fear of arousal-related bodily sensations that are interpreted as signs of impending catastrophe. Anxiety sensitivity is thought to increase drug withdrawal severity and to lower tolerance for withdrawal symptoms. People practicing biofeedback often say they gain psychological confidence when they learn they can control their physiology. * Brain Wave Biofeedback (neurofeedback) In this type of biofeedback patients learn to alter their brain wave patterns. In one type of neurofeedback, the training involves restoring a nor-
* Herbal Therapy - Herbs are natural botanical substances that have effects on the body. Many herbs have long been used in detoxification. Among the herbs currently being studied are ginseng for its effect on drug tolerance and dependence, kudzu for its potential to moderate alcohol abuse, kava and valerian to treat the insomnia that accompanies withdrawal, and milk thistle to improve liver function. * Hypnosis - Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness that creates an openness to learning. This state of focused attention and concentration can be induced by the self or by a therapist. Hypnosis can be used as part of a total recovery program by re-enforcing ideas and suggestions compatible with a person's goals, and can help clients reach their goals in more rapid, reliable and safe ways. * Meditation - There are many different types of meditation which all work to quiet the mind and promote relaxation and mental clarity. In particular, studies have shown Transcendental Meditation's (TM) effectiveness in reducing the rate of relapse. In addition to reducing tension and anxiety, TM may also enhance a sense of
control in anxiety-provoking situations that strengthens the long-term resistance to stress. * Nutrition - How we eat can have a powerful effect on how we feel and how well our bodies function. Diet and nutritional supplementation can strengthen our immune systems, improve mood, enhance the natural process of detoxification, and restore the body to a healthy balanced functioning level. * Prayer - Prayer can have a strong impact on healing by deepening one's inner spiritual awareness and connection to a higher power. It can help people cope with stress, provide a sense of hope and optimism, reduce feelings of powerlessness and isolation, and enhance a deeper sense of safety and well-being. * Qigong - Qigong, a traditional Chinese health practice, consists of a series of slow moving exercises, breath work, visualizations and meditation. These serve to gather and stimulate the movement of energy (or Qi) in the body. Qigong is believed to have general health promoting and healing effects. It has also been shown to be helpful in addiction by lessening anxiety and promoting more rapid reduction of withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. * Yoga - The techniques of yoga, which include stretching, diaphragmatic breathing, guided relaxation and meditation, can induce the relaxation response and have other profound restorative effects. Regular practice of yoga can increase flexibility, calm the mind, improve concentration, and promote patience. It can also contribute to a greater sense of control in more acute states when experiencing cravings, insomnia, and agitation. Lucy R. Waletzky, M.D. is a board-certified psychiatrist and fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. From 1982-1993 she was the cofounder and co-president of the Medical Illness Counseling Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She is currently practicing Holistic Psychiatry in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Her son, Jacob, died from a tragic relapse in his recovery from drug addiction in May, 2001. The Addiction Recovery Guide addictionrecoveryguide.com is a memorial to Jacob. It is designed to provide concise, yet comprehensive, evaluated and user-friendly help for addicts and alcoholics. Marsha J. Handel, M.L.S. is a medical librarian specializing in Integrative Medicine. She is coauthor of the award winning book Alternative Medicine Resource Guide and assisted Dr. Waletzky in the development of the Addiction Recovery Guide web site. Ms. Handel is currently the Director of Infomatics and Online Education at the Center for Health and Healing at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and developed their comprehensive web site on Integrative Medicine at healthandhealingny.org.
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Spirtitual Medicine Tips for a Happer and Healthier Life by Laurie Leah Levine You may be wondering just what is spiritual medicine. Quite simply, spiritual medicine is love. It is the greatest healing agent that we have. Without love, people die, maybe not literally, but some part within us dies and gives up hope. Love gives us hope and nourishes our soul as well as our body and mind. So many people spend so much time helping others and giving their love and energy out to everyone but themselves. In turn they end up feeling quite drained, unmotivated and depressed. It is as if their tank is out of gasoline and they have not filled it up again. Cars can not run without gasoline to fuel them, neither can human beings. How can you begin right now to fill yourself up with love? When I talk about loving ourselves, I am speaking of self- acceptance and treating ourselves as if we were our own best friend. You may want to take a moment to ask yourself the following questions: * How do you treat your best friends and loved ones? * Do you treat yourself the same way? * If the answer is no, what can you do to start treating yourself better? * In what ways can you begin to forgive, love and accept yourself more? The first step is to be more aware of what you say to yourself. I am speaking of the negative thoughts and judgements that we unconsciously have and project upon ourselves every day. These thoughts can be quite damaging to our self-confidence as well as to our health and well-being. One of the best ways I have found for stopping these thoughts and self-judgment is to forgive ourselves for past actions and to release from your mind and body any beliefs
and emotional pain you are still carrying from whenever you feel weighed down with negative the past and from other people. thoughts or having a hard time feeling good Here is a technique that will help you do this: about yourself. * At the end of this visualization, take the time to breathe back in and claim back all the parts of yourself that you may feel separated from. I am referring to your energy, personal power, joy, your ability to love yourself, your confidence, trusting in yourself etc. * Get comfortable in a chair or lying down and * Spend a few minutes filling yourself up with close your eyes. love and inner peace before getting up. To help * Imagine in your mind that you are in a beauti- you do this, place one hand on your heart and ful place in nature, somewhere you love to go or the other on your belly and take in several deep make it up. breaths. This is an energy balance that will help * Let your senses come alive. Smell the fresh you to feel calmer and more centered inside. air, feel the sun on your body, hear the sounds of Affirm to yourself on a daily basis that you nature all around you and feel your feet connect- are a special and worthwhile person. It is so ed to the earth. important to your health and well-being to con* Imagine that in front of you is a beautiful con- tinue to love, accept and be kind to yourself. tained fire. This is a fire of transformation and Remember to always be your own best friend. purification. Spend the time to fill up your cup, so that you * Take a deep breath and begin now to place in can more easily share this love with others and the fire all the negative thoughts, beliefs and in turn make this world a better place for all of emotional pain that you may be carrying inside us to live in. of you from the past. Put in the fire any fears, doubts, judgements against yourself and others Laurie Levine has over 20 years in the area of Holistic Health and is known by many as an you are ready to let go of. As you do this imagEmotional Intuitive. Her book, SPIRITUAL MEDIine that it is releasing from the whole of you; CINE, offers a new path for those looking for your mind, body, emotions and spirit. Let go of love, better health on all levels, less pain and the burdens that you have been carrying. Start to spiritual upliftment. Based in Los Angeles, CA, feel lighter inside of yourself now. Laurie offers powerful telephone and in-person sessions which help people release blockages * As you do this, you may want to say a prayer and live their purpose. She runs Personal or declaration like, "I am now letting these fears Healing Power™ workshops, corporate healthy and burdens be released and set free. They no lifestyle seminars and meditation classes. Visit longer support my life and I am now free to love www.spiritualmedicine.net or e-mail laumy self, to forgive my self and to live a happier rieleahlevine@hotmail.com - to order her book and audiotapes or find out how Laurie can assist and healthier life." Add in whatever words you. empower you. This is a good visualization to do
“You may be wondering just what is spiritual medicine. Quite simply it is love. It is the greatest healing agent that we have.”
Coaching....takes a person to a higher level. Coaching is a partnership of equals. It is a one to one interactive relationship that helps you to identify and accomplish your personal and professional goals faster than is you were to do them on your own. Did you know that there is a billion dollar industry built around teaching people to be creative? We will provide you with a process that will help increase your creative problem solving abilities. If you are interested in learning more about being Coached or becoming a Coach contact:
International Coaching Unlimited WEB: www.ICUCoaching.com
1-888-90COACH
561-396-0362
EMAIL: ICUCoaching@aol.com
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Why One Language Is Enough! English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn't a Let's face it -- English is a crazy language. There is no egg in race at all). That is why, when the stars are out, they are viseggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in ible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetessay, I end it. breads, which aren't sweet, are meat.
Commentary On The English Language
We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, SO YOU THINK ENGLISH IS EASY TO LEARN? {Read it out loud.} we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why We must polish the Polish furniture. is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, He could lead if he would get the lead out. why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one The farm was used to produce produce. moose, 2 meese? The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one The soldier decided to desert in the desert. amend, that you comb thru annals of history but not a single annal? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all This was a good time to present the present. but one of them, what do you call it? If teachers taught, why A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum. didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. what does a humanitarian eat? If you wrote a letter, perhaps I did not object to the object. you bote your tongue? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Send shipments by car and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell another?
The buck does funny things when the does are present.
Have you noticed that we talk about certain things only when they are absent? Have you ever seen a horseful carriage or a strapful gown? Met a sung hero or experienced requited love? Have you ever run into someone who was combobulated, gruntled, ruly or peccable? And where are all those people who ARE spring chickens or who would ACTUALLY hurt a fly?
The bandage was wound around the wound. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row. They were too close to the door to close it. They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. The wind was too strong to wind the sail. After a number of injections my jaw got number. Upon seeing the tear in my clothes I shed a tear. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend? Bow down before the man with the bow and arrow.
I hope to live to see the next live Elton John concert. You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a I have read the book I was supposed to read. form by filling it out and in which an alarm clock goes off by I will resume writing my resume tomorrow. going on.
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Hotlines and Helplines AA BROWARD COUNTY AA FLORIDA KEYS AA HOTLINE, North Palm Beach
954-462-0265 305-296-8654 561-655-5700
DEPRESSION - OVER 55 FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM FLA. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
954-746-2055 305-292-8445 800-500-1119
AA HOTLINE, South Palm Beach AA HOTLINE Broward
561-276-4581 954-462-0265
FLORIDA BAR LAWYER’S REFERRAL
800-342-8011
FLORIDA HIV/AIDS HOTLINE
800-FLA-AIDS
954-462-7202
FLORIDA INJURY HELPLINE FLORIDA INTERGROUP AA FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY FLORIDA PET GREIF SUPPORT GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS HEPATITIS-B HOTLINE
AA MIAMI DADE
305-371-7784
ABUSE REGISTRY
800-962-2873
ADD PARENTS SUPPORT
954-473-8644
AL ANON HOTLINE, Palm Beach
561-278-3481
AL ANON HOTLINE, Broward AL-ANON/AL-ATEEN
954-491-1915 8884ALANON
ALIEN ABDUCTION SUPPORT GROUP
954-698-6926
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
954-726-0002
ALZHEIMER’S COMMUNITY CARE AT RISK YOUTH PROGRAM BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS CAPITOL CITY YOUTH SERVICES
561-278-6649 727-726-8829 561-966-4120 850-576-6000
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORLANDO
407-658-1818
CDC NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE
800-342-2437
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE
800-4ACHILD
COCAINE ANONYMOUS CODEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS CONSUMER HOTLINE COSA (co-dependents of sex addicts) COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING
954-779-7272 800-254-1333 800-848-3792 763-537-6904 800-426-7711
CRIMESTOPPERS CRIME LINE
800-458-TIPS 800-423TIPS
DASH (Divorced and Separated Help) DEBTOR’S ANONYMOUS DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR SUPPORT DEPRESSION AND MANIC DEPRESSION
800-510-5553 407-276-4581 1-866-325-0500 352-392-4700 800-891-1740 800-891-0707
HEPATITIS HOTLINE HIV/AIDS HOTLINE HOSPICE HOSPICE/HOMECARE BY THE SEA JEWISH FAMILY& CHILD SERV LAWYER ASSISTANCE RECOVERY, INC LUPUS FOUNDATION OF S. FLORIDA MARIJUANA ANON. MIAMI HELPLINES
800-545-2437 800-352-2437 954-467-7423 800-3923189 561-684-8443 800-282-8981 561-642-1722 561-279-8606 800-766-6779 305-358-4357
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION
800-441-7055
NTNL. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE NAR-ANON, Broward
Nare-Anon Florida Region
800-799-SAFE 954-584-6578 888-947-8885
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Palm Beach NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS, Broward
561-848-6262 954-476-9297
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS gold coast
954-476-9297
NAT. CTR. ELDERLY ABUSE
800-96-ABUSE
561-451-2312
NATIONAL RUNAWAYSWITCHBOARD
800-RUNAWAY
954.925.4068 813-878-2906 954-746-2055
NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE
800-SUICIDE
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
954-746-2055
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS, Palm Beach
800-273-1696
The Solution News 640 Beacon Street, Manchester, NH, 03104
Phone:
603-657-5580 WEBSITE: solutionnews.org Email: solutionpublishingcompany@gmail.com
The Solution is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous or any other 12 Step Program although our content is directed towards those who have found the 12 Step philosophy to be a significant factor in their lives. The Solution News published by Sobersolution six times a year for people actively working on their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being. We are committed through articles and advertising to provide a broad spectrum of recovery, renewal and growth information. The opinions are those of the contributors. We seek to attract advertisers who represent their products and services with integrity but we urge readers to be wise consumers.
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RNS & LPNS For Admissions Department We are looking for Florida licensed LPNS and RNS who are friendly & compassionate and able to work with alcoholics and addicts. The hours are a mix of evenings and nights with weekend work involved. We are also looking for an RN to supervise the clinical aspects of the department and work as an integral part of an allied health professional’s team.
Therapists
Behavioral Health Techs
Are you looking for a place where the concept of "team" has deeper meaning? We are looking for caring, insightful therapists who are committed to the highest quality care for our patients and who have the desire to support those who are struggling with addiction. Our facilities offer our patients comfortable and safe surroundings to begin their journey of recovery. The Watershed is Joint Commission accredited and fully licensed by the State of Florida. Our therapists provide individual and group counseling to patients in our inpatient treatment program. The therapist is able to develop a relationship with the patient that begins in detox and lasts throughout the entire length of stay. The therapist functions within the limits of their licensure, registration and/or certification. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Masters Degree in a health-related discipline; licensed and/or accredited applicants preferred. Experience with chemical dependency and/or dual diagnosis programs preferred. The Watershed welcomes recovering individuals to apply! Recovering individuals must have a minimum of 1 full year of abstinence from drugs/alcohol to eligible for employment.
Are you a caring, compassionate individual? Are you able to provide supervision and support for others in a thoughtful, respectful manner? If you have these qualities we encourage you to apply for a position as a Behavioral Health Technician, (BHT). Our BHT's are directly involved in providing quality care for patients as part of the overall team and are responsible for conducting meetings and providing structure for our patients during their treatment experience. As a BHT you are the frontline staff member, having frequent interactions with the patients throughout their stay. As a result you are in a position to have a positive impact on the patient's view toward recovery. The average day for a BHT involves a variety of activities; there isn't a lot of time spent in one place since our patient's care is conducted in different areas of the facility. The BHT should have a clear sense of personal boundaries and be able to enforce clearly established guidelines. People with their own personal recovery experience are encouraged to apply! Must have a minimum of 12 months of sobriety.
Alumni Coordinators
We are currently seeking hard working, customer service oriented individuals with excellent communication skills to become members of our team. The Call-Back Representatives will work collaboratively with the Admissions Coordinators in order to admit new patients into our treatment facilities. This position involves making follow-up calls to individuals who have previously called The Watershed seeking treatment but were never admitted into our facility. Our goal is to reach out to those who may have avoided treatment in the past and assist them with their struggles of addiction, by offering our treatment services. This position is full-time with some weekends involved & located in our Delray Beach, corporate building.A year or more of 12step recovery experience is very beneficial to anyone working in this position. Prior call-center and/or healthcare experience are a plus!
The Watershed’s newest department is that of the Alumni coordinators! Coordinators main focus is in making contact with ALL of Watershed’s alumni dating back to it’s doors opening in 1998! Through this effort any alumni who may have encountered relapse and needs help can be given a means to get back into their recovery and those who are maintaining recovery can be orientated to our current program which offers a variety of services, activities and opportunities to our alumni & their families.Work hours currently are: Mon.-Fri. 10am to 6pm at our office in Delray Beach. Six months or more of active 12-step recovery is needed and being an alumnus of The Watershed is preferred. Having basic computer & phone skills is a plus.
Call-Back Representatives
The Watershed is a Drug Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit: www.thewatershed.com. To apply, please go to www.thewatershed.jobs.
Watershed alumni - you don't want to miss this!!!! Are you a graduate of The Watershed Treatment Programs? Do you have an interest in personal growth in your recovery? Would you like to be able to help others, even as you were helped? If the answer to any or all of these questions is "YES", then we want to hear from you! The Watershed has a unique one of a kind ALUMNI PROGRAM that is quite literally filled with events, activities & services for you!! It is a place to find support, fellowship and numerous ways for you to be able to reach out and help others. We currently have over 3,800 registered alumni members around the country and we want YOU to be a part of this community! We also have an Alumni Family Outreach Program for YOUR family members to offer them the same connection and support with each other that now numbers just under 2,700!!! We hope that whether you are an alumni or a family member of an alumni, that you will join our social web site called Lives in Recovery. To register just go to www.livesinrecovery.com today! You will find a place to register under "ALUMNI" and a place to register under "FAMILY". On this site, you will be able to chat, create groups and meetings, upload videos, create photo albums, find local meetings, be up to date on events, access the Alumni or Family Magazines, the monthly Alumni or Family Newsletter, the Life Saver's Club Newsletter, and SO MUCH MORE! We hope that you will get involved with alumni if you aren't already. (YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED!!) We have the Alumni Speaker Meetings EVERY SATURDAY from 10:30am to 12 noon at BOTH the BOCA and BOYNTON facilities. You MUST have 90 days clean and sober to attend. If you are a new alumnus with less than 90 days in recovery, we have special support meetings just for you and we WANT YOU TO COME. It is called the ALUMNI SUPPORT meeting and is held at THE WATERSHED APARTMENTS in Lake Worth, FL on THURSDAY nights, from 5:30 to 6:45pm under the tent by the pool. There, you can gain important information related to your early recovery AND at 90 days you will be presented a medallion at the end of the month Anniversary Meeting! (IF YOU ATTEND ALUMNI SUPPORT MEETINGS YOU MAY ATTEND SATURDAY SPEAKER MEETINGS) For directions or further information or questions, contact Rebecca Balko at the contact information listed below. Last but not least…if you are an alumnus and have in interest in working in the field of Addiction Recovery and/or in our Alumni Department, The Watershed wants to hear from you! If you are interested in seeking
employment you can either contact Rebecca Balko or go directly to our web site at www.thewatershed.com. Just go to Human Resources & place an "on line" application. *You need to have 1yr. clean and sober for most positions* We look forward to hearing from you! You can contact Rebecca Balko at: Rbalko@thewatershed.com (or write) 200 Congress Park Dr. Suite 101 Delray Beach, FL 33445 (PHONE: 877-416-9566 ext.88204)
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Events Last Year’s Women In Recovery Retreat Feedback You're Not Alone! Live and Let Live! One Day At a Time! They were just slogans on the wall until I went to a recovery retreat. It was at the retreat when recovery became real ... and do-able ... and even better ... Desirable! Over the course of the 28 hours of the retreat, I gained friends I hope to keep for a lifetime. I gained an understanding of myself and why I had let my disease make me feel like an outsider. I learned that pretty much every feeling I had in me was shared by someone else. I truly came to believe I was not unique. The meetings or functions - whatever you want to call them - they worked their magic on me. They helped me really understand how much alike we all are. There was a time I would have thought that was a bad thing, but now I understand how much comfort there is in identifying with the look I see in my recovering friends' eyes. I also discovered a source of strength in myself that I didn't realize existed. I feel stronger and know that I can do anything ... one day at a time. One thing is for sure - I didn't clean up my act to be miserable. I've resigned from the miserable society! Laughter rang through the rooms and frolicked through the trees at this retreat. Pure joy! Smiles that begin somewhere in the heart and spill out all over the place. We laughed till we cried, and then we laughed some more. If I had to try and find one word to describe the whole retreat, it would be "enriching." I feel so much richer now than I did before I went. The activities were stimulating ... they really brought out the best in us. The drumming, meditation and stress reduction activities were just what I needed to feel more centered and alive. The environment is unbelievably serene and peaceful ... I could feel myself relax and unwind from the pressures of day-to-day living. I stood there with over 100 women who were all very different ... yet just like me. Their fellowship means the world to me. I've made friends to last a lifetime, and I know we'll continue along the path to recovery ... one day at a time. Yep! I'll be back next year! Hope to see you here on February 12-13, 2011.
Women in Recovery Retreat: February 12-13, 2011 Speaker Meetings Recovery Countdown
Location: Billie Swamp Safari
Take Alligator Alley , I-75 from Ft. Lauderdale or Naples to Exit 49 then go 19 miles to park entrance
Arrive Saturday at 8:30 AM - Noon Sunday
Drumming
Includes continental breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday continental breakfast.
Meditations
Cost $120.00
Resentment Releases Indian Feather Circle of Hope Comfortable Chickee Dorms Linen and Pillows Provided
Laura Kelly 1720 NW 21st Ct. Delray Beach, FL 33445 561-577-3083 AONECOACHING@yahoo.com
Dr. Darlene Silvernail PO Box 18745, West Palm Beach, FL 33426 561-396-0362 ICU Couching@aol.com
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Events ATTENTION!! MEETING SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE
Certified by The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Board of Addiction Professionals Feel Free To Explore Our Website: www.ProfessionalEnancementServices.com Or Give Us A Call:
561-642-3103
SMOKING NON-SMOKING. MOST TIME SLOTS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL KATHY K.
(561) 926-0330
OUR CLUB
219 SOUTH DIXIE HWY. LAKE WORTH, FL.
33460
Can’t get enough of “The Solution”? Check out our online virtual edition available for free world on the web at:
solutionnews.org
Hundreds of pages of archived articles and information a click away.
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Mindfulness Deepens Daily Practice of the Twelve Steps "Mindfulness" is changing our cultural conversation about health, including recovery from alcohol and other drug dependence. Interest in the therapeutic uses of mindfulness has increased. The National Institutes of Health has launched studies of mindfulness as an adjunct treatment for people dealing with substance abuse, cancer, bone marrow transplants, problem gambling, low back pain, fibromyalgia and other conditions. Mindfulness is also a core element of new developments in mental health treatment, including mindfulnessbased cognitive therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Mindfulness comes from the oldest practice of Buddhist meditation--vipassana, usually translated in English as "insight meditation." This practice combines mindfulness (nonjudgmental observation) with concentration (focused attention). Buddhist teachers sometimes compare mindfulness and concentration to the wings of a bird. A bird can fly only when both wings move in harmony. Likewise, said the Buddha, both mindfulness and concentration are needed to bring liberation from suffering. This idea is taking hold among people who practice the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Elene Loecher, a retreat leader at Hazelden's Dan Anderson Renewal Center in Center City, Minn., leads retreats based on Insight Meditation. These include "Prayer and Meditation: The Path to Conscious Contact" and "Meditation: Antidote to Self-will Run Riot." Loecher compares the relationship between mindfulness and concentration to the relationship between Steps Ten and Eleven. According to "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" (AA
World Services, 2007), the daily practice of both steps is needed to create "an unshakable foundation for life." "Step Ten is the spiritual principle that invites us continually to take a personal inventory each day, and, when we are wrong, to promptly admit it," says Loecher. "It invites us to pay attention, to notice, to show up for our lives, to be in the present moment." Yet this is precisely what the practicing alcoholic or other drug addict wants to avoid. "The present contained too much pain, and what we wanted most was relief," Loecher says. "Much time and effort was given to the past, trying to make it different, trying to fix it in some way. When we weren't busy doing this, we were focused on the future, trying to control it. The result of all our effort was growing disconnection from the self, other people, and Higher Power." Rebuilding those connections is the purpose of the Twelve Steps, and especially Step Eleven: "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we
understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." The result of Step Eleven practice is a sense of belonging--of rejoining the human community and getting daily guidance from a source of help beyond ourselves. To experience the full benefits of mindfulness, concentration and Steps Ten and Eleven, you can create a daily practice. Loecher offers the following suggestions: * Find a form of meditation that works for you. You can start with the instructions on pages 85-88 of "Alcoholics Anonymous" (AA World Services, 2001), a core Twelve Step text. In addition, consider taking a class or workshop on Insight Meditation. If possible, join with a qualified teacher and other committed students once a week to deepen your practice. * Do a Step Ten "spot check" at any point during the day. Focus on a behavior that threatens relationships, such as dishonesty. Then use your meditation technique to observe this behavior in your own life. "Look at yourself from the vantage point of a fair witness, an observer--one who does not judge or criticize," says Loecher. "This is the mindfulness element. Simply notice when you practiced dishonest behavior and then make amends. Also note when you practiced honest behavior, and express gratitude to your Higher Power for the change." * Welcome insights. If you consistently practice meditation, you will receive spontaneous insights about the next actions to take in overcoming selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear. In the spirit of the well-known prayer-"Thy will, not mine, be done"--welcome these insights as guidance from your Higher Power..
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Recovery Bulletin Board A CHRIST CENTERED 12 STEP PROGRAM Every Tuesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm RSVP for Free Childcare New Children’s Recovery Celebration Station nrunhaar@FUMCBocaRaton.org FUMC,625 Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432
The BEACHCOMBER Family Center For The Treatment Of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction 4493 North Ocean Boulevard Delray Beach, FL 33483 Telephone: 561-734-1818 From Broward County: 421-6226 From South Palm Beach County: 276-6226 JOSEPH R. BRYAN, Director
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Music and Recovery We've been told that music soothes the savage beast and that certain kinds of music can help flowers to grow. We've all experienced different types of emotions brought on by hearing music and we know that some music makes us feel happy and some make us feel sad. Why not use this effect of music in a deliberate and positive way to uplift our spirit and change our moods and emotions in a natural way instead of with the chemicals that we used before recovery?
Music and sound are valuable tools for recovery that can help us to heal the body, mind and spirit in very real ways. Most of us come into recovery ravaged by the effects of chemical dependency. Our bodies and souls have been battered by years of neglect and abuse. Now is the time to repair the damage and listening to soft and soothing music is a good way to begin our healing. First, I'll talk about the properties of music that help to heal the body. Music is a series of pitches or vibrational frequencies moving in rhythmic patterns, causing pleasing sounds. Our bodies pulsate with vibrational frequencies and all the systems of the body have specific cycles and rhythmic patterns, just like music. In Chinese medicine, it is known that each organ and energy opening of the body has its ownfrequency or pitch. For instance the heart is "F" and the throat is "G". Are we not then musical beings by nature? Many composers put this knowledge to good use and write music that centers around keys that will help to heal various organs and parts of the body. Meditating on this music is even more effective when it is deliberate and we focus on the healing.
What music should we listen to for this healing effect? It might be completely different from what we would ordinarily listen to on the radio every day. For healing in recovery, we're looking for soothing, mellow sounds. Most rock music has a hard edge and tends to arouse and disturb rather than sooth and soften. Music with lyrics can be distracting so that leaves out a lot of country, pop music and opera. Classical music is soothing for many people and New Age music was composed specifically for healing the spirit and quieting the mind and body. How can we find the music that's best for us? Most stores these days have listening stations were you can hear CD's before you buy them. Take advantage of this and find music that FEELS good to your spirit. Close your eyes when youยนre listening and try to focus on the sounds and let your inner voice tell you what music is right for you. If you feel yourself relaxing and the tensions are slipping away, then itยนs the right music for you. by Marilynn Seits {Marilynn Seits is an accomplished jazz and new age pianist and owns CMR Records in West Palm Beach. Her tapes and CD's are available at Shining Through in Delray and other retail outlets.}
NO RECOVERY - NO FEE OR COSTS 660 E. Linton Blvd., Ste. 200-7 Delray Beach, FL 33444 ********** 6100 West Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 5 Margate, FL 33063 ********** 3353 West Mallory Blvd. Jupiter, FL 33458
Call Eliot M. Bader At:
1-800-854-9311
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Do you want to help those people in your life currently caught in the grips of the progressive and fatal disease of addiction…to get the very life saving help that they need? Do you want to spread the message that WE DO RECOVER? To make an impact on YOUR community one person at a time? The Life Saver’s Club is a recovery resource offered by The Watershed Addiction Treatment Programs and is unique in that we don’t simply offer help to those who are going to come HERE. We have a department of full time Resource Specialists, who are trained and experienced in throwing out a life line to those who are suffering with facilities and services in their area that will fit whatever budget or financial situation that they may have. By joining and becoming a member, you can have the peace of mind in knowing that the person you refer to call us will receive prompt attention and that NO REFERRAL goes unassisted. Becoming a member is fast and easy! Simply go to our new web site: www.LivesinRecovery.com and register or give us a call at 877-416-9566 Ext.88426 and start the process of healing for those around you needing help! Membership benefits include: Acknowledgements, Recognition Gifts, Intervention Materials, Life Saver’s Club Cards and soon Educational Packets that will enable you to be an educator about addiction and recovery for your community and more! The Watershed’s Support Team is available 24/7 for any questions or support you may need along the way.
We look forward to hearing from YOU soon!!! Rebecca Balko, C.A.C. Alumni Department Manager # 877-416-9566 (Ext.88204) Rbalko@thewatershed.com
Sarah Gentry
Creative Healing Uses Art to Foster Emotional Well Being Creative healing is a powerful tool in the treatment of addiction. Its practice often provides the opportunity to express emotions that can not easily be identified or verbalized. When a person in early recovery is working with a therapist or a sponsor they may find it difficult to effectively describe the life experiences they have had. Creative healing offers us new tools to do just that. Many different practices and the use of many different types of media can be considered creative healing. In this article we will focus primarily on the use of expressive arts and journaling as creative healing tools. Some common examples of such expressive arts include collage, drawing, clay work, painting, mask making, and creating mandalas. There is no need for artistic talent or skill to use these exercises for the purpose of creative healing. For recovering people there are many advantages to using these techniques. It can help us increase self-esteem, foster a deeper sense of spirituality, learn to receive validation from others, develop community spirit with the help of encouragement and support from our peers, verbalize our feelings, express ourselves artistically, identify similarities with others, and create a vision for your lives in recovery. It also gives us the ability to nurture ourselves in healthy ways. Aside from the spiritual rejuvenation we experience with the practice of creative healing, it helps us focus on who we are and helps us develop a vision of who we want to be. We learn to reconnect with our bodies and to listen to the messages they send us. We develop a deeper sense of connection to a power greater than ourselves. We are able to explore painful feelings like grief and loss, anger and resentment, loneliness and abandonment. We learn to affirm ourselves and to begin to allow ourselves the love, nurturing, and protection we have always needed. We gain empathy, gratitude, and hope by learning about what we need and by recognizing the value of what we already have. Finally, we are able to develop more intimate relationships with ourselves and with others. The results I have seen from using creative healing techniques in both a treatment setting and in private practice have been no less than amazing. It never fails to take people by surprise. "I had no idea how powerful this would be," one client of mine once said. "I am so grateful that I am doing this work." Ideally, creative healing is done in conjunction with ongoing therapy. In my practice I often ask clients to complete assignments in between sessions. This gives them the opportunity to get the most out of the work we begin in my office. They have the time to complete the exercises with-
out supervision, yet we are also able to process the feelings, memories, and insights they encounter while doing the work. I will often recommend specific books for the issues they may be addressing. I am careful to choose reading materials that are congruent with the creative healing work that we are doing. For example, if a client is working through trauma issues from childhood, I will often recommend that they read "Recovery of Your Inner Child" by Dr. Lucia Cappachione and that they complete the assignment at the end of each chapter. Then when I see them again, in session, we discuss the emotions that surface in the process. I will also use creative healing exercises in a group or workshop setting. This gives clients the added benefit of support and validation from peers as well as the ability to relate to group members in a new way. I have used creative healing techniques with children as young as four years old. Assignments that I have given to couples have yielded profound results as well. Creative healing is a powerful tool for a recovering person to have in his or her arsenal. For ten years now I have seen creative healing techniques help people express their emotions directly and effectively. Often people will experience feelings that have been suppressed for so long, they may not even realize they still exist. One of the biggest testaments to this work was made by a woman at one of my workshops. "This was like doing a fifth step with pictures," she said. "All of my issues came right out and before I knew it I was sharing my feelings with a group of people I had never met before." We all deserve the blessings of healing. I hope you consider adding creative healing techniques to your own recovery. Sarah Gentry, LMHC, CAP, CJEA, is a mental health counselor and certified addiction professional who practices privately in West Palm Beach, Florida. She specializes in individual, couples, and family therapy. She helps clients and families heal from wounds related to chemical dependency, codependency, sexual compulsivity and other process addictions. Areas of concentration in her profession include dual-diagnosis treatment, women's issues, creative healing, and trauma resolution. Upcoming Workshop:
The Art of Forgiveness Saturday, March 25th from 6:30-9pm Cost $25.00 New Office Location: 224 Datura Street Suite 318 West Palm Beach, Florida,33401sarahgentry@yahoo.com
561-294-0427
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Recovery Bulletin Board
“We all marvel at the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely do we consider what it went through to become that butterfly.� -Maya Angelou
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Life is short, eat dessert first.... Edible Oils by Maura Fine
To see more delectable treats and other fine works of art visit:
blue mango.etsy.com maurafineart.blogspot.com
19
JO LINDA BROWN
obcottages@aol.com
OCEANBREEZE COTTAGES Safe Supportive Living Delray Beach, FL Cell 561-523-2806 Call for Info
Tel 561-495-1001 Fax 561-495-1002 www.obcottages.com
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JEANNIE SAROS
CAP, LMHC, CCHT, MH8070
National Board Certified Counselor EMDRA trained and certified Clinical Hypnotherapist Specializing in Trauma and Healing for Individuals and Families Curriculum Development and trainer/supervisor of a nationally recognized Recovery Coach Online Training Program Featured in documentary “Sobriety First”, local and state news, Vanity Fair Magazine and the New York Times for community and professional contributions
Holistic Life Coach Specializing In: Recovery/Addiction/Trauma Group & Individual Therapy Clinical Hypnotherapy, EMDR, Recovery Coach Training Offering “koffee and kounseling” as a free service to the community at Gizzies Coffee (2275 S.Federal Hwy, Delray Beach) every Tuesday from 7- 9, all seekers welcome! WEB SITE: http://authenticpresencecounseling.com EMAIL: jeanniesaros@authenticpresencecounseling.com FAX: 561.999.8853 OFFICE: 6699 South Federal Hwy, Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Phone: 561-542-0941
21 David McVinney
TAI CHI: Healing Mind, Body and Spirit Alcoholism and other forms of chemical dependency negatively effect individuals in several major areas of functioning. The seriousness of these effects, of course, are different for each person depending on factors such as drug type, amounts used and length of use. We can, however, categorize the major areas of personhood into the following three categories: 1. BODY
2. MIND
is first trained to be calm and still through guided meditative instruction. Once this is accomplished, the mind then has the capacity to focus on ideas that activate and stimulate accupoints in the body. During this process the mind leads the chi to selective areas which achieve profound feelings of calmness and well being. Advanced breathing techniques, based on centuries old Buddhist and Taoist health and longevity practices are also done. Thus begins the MIND/BODY connection.
3. SPIRIT CHI KUNG (Qi Gong)
The profound effect on these three areas as a result of substance abuse and addiction makes the recovery process challenging for both the recovering person and the professional treating them. In the philosophy of ancient China, the mind plays a much more significant role that opens many more opportunities for the serious student of Tai Chi. These opportunities can be fully explored with a teacher. The incorporation of TAI CHI into a program of recovery, whether provided in treatment or obtained by the individual, can assist in bringing about a balance in a persons life. BRIEF HISTORY OF CHINESE HEALING ARTS Asian healing arts have been getting a lot of attention lately as many West-erners are beginning to discover the health benefits offered by these disciplines. Acupuncture, massage, yoga and herbal treatments are becoming mainstream as many experience the benefits of these alternatives to traditional Western medical approaches. Tai Chi began as an internal system of martial art which utilized internal energy (chi). The practice of a fluidly moving Tai Chi form also helped build strength, flexibility and stamina as a secondary gain. Traditional Chinese medical aspects were also encompassed by Tai Chi practice in terms of balancing the yin/yang aspects of chi (vital life essence) and balance of the Chinese five elements (water, earth, wood, metal, fire), which correspond to the internal organs. Ancient Tai Chi masters observed nature and found that there was a cooperation between two opposites, (called Yin and Yang in Chinese), which is incorporated in authenic Tai Chi. Tai Chi as it is commonly referred to in English, is correctly termed Taijiquan in Chinese and is represented by Chinese characters which contain a much more detailed meaning. Once again, a high level teacher will be able to assist the student in understanding these concepts and incorporating them into actual practice of movement. As Tai Chi found its way into the United States. teaching of the art began to be customized to fit with Western lifestyle and practice time constraints. Some traditional authentic training still exists, but a lot of Tai Chi being taught is a combination of systems that include meditation, chi kung, and some westernized techniques tailored to the student expectation. AUTHENTIC TAI CHI (Taijiquan) As previously stated, chemical dependency affects body, mind and spirit and recovery requires healing to occur over time in these same areas. Tai Chi, practiced in its authenic manner, addresses all three areas in a gentle and progressive manner that promotes balance, health and well being with the student progressing at their own pace and ability. The various components of authentic Tai Chi can be divided into the following categories: NEI GONG This meditative practice addresses the area of the mind. The mind
This type of gentle exercise routine helps the body develop stamina, coordination, flexibility and balance. Several methods of chi kung practices can be utilized depending on the health needs and ability of the student. Hundreds of types of chi kung are practiced throughout Asia. A combination of a Five Ele-ment Meditation, Muscle/Tendon exercises and Energy Gathering exercises appear to present the best method of the types of chi kung which lend themselves useful for the recovering person, at least initially. Due to various types of physical trauma suffered by the addict as a result of addiction, withdrawal and postwithdrawal factors, the chi kung routines listed above serve to support a gradual return of physical and internal functioning without risk of injury. TAI CHI FORM The form of TAI CHI is referred to by some as a "moving meditation". The form itself brings together all the components for integrating the healing of body, mind and spirit. If properly taught in the authentic method by a qualified instructor, the Tai Chi form can bring about rapid progress in the following manner: 1. First, the mind has an idea. 2. This correct idea produces a self feeling. 3. From the correct idea and self feeling, movement occurs naturally. The mind, is relaxed, yet active and focused. The body is moving naturally and without effort as it connects to the mind. As a result, the spirit (Shen in Chinese) is raised and a feeling of peace and well being ensues. Regular practice of the form can create rapid and profound changes in improving ability to concentrate; regain and maintain balance and health and increase energy levels. I would recommend investigating the incorporation of Tai Chi into a recovery program for both professional organizations and recovering individuals alike.
David McVinney is the president and owner of David McVinney Associates, Inc. which provides behavioral health consulting and training in integrative healing methods including, meditation, qigong and taijiquan. He is a graduate of Barry University with a degree in liberal studies and hold a Masters of Professional Studies (with distinction) from New York Institute of Technology. He has over 15 years of experience in counseling and psychotherapy, behavioral health treatment and administration. David is a long time practitioner of Asian martial and healing arts and sciences. He has studied nei gong, qi gong and taijiquan with Master Training Systems which was established in Palm Beach County in 1990.
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Rule 62 Page Exercise!!!!! We Don't Need No Stinkin Exercise!!!!! Since I've joined AA, I've gained quite a bit of weight. A friend told me it was because I didn't get as much exercise as I used to. "But I never exercised while I was still drinking," I protested."Sure you did," he countered. "Here's the exercise program you were on:" - Hitting the bottle - Beating yourself up - Bending the rules - Stretching the truth - Jogging your memory - Running into trouble - Jumping to conclusions - Stepping on toes - Climbing the walls - Dodging responsibility - Pushing your luck - Pulling the wool over peoples eyes - Walking all over people - Carrying a grudge - Throwing fits - Picking up the pieces.
RULES OF CHOCOLATE 1) If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly. 2) Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.
LAWS OF THE NATURAL UNIVERSE Law of Mechanical Repair:
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.
Law of the Workshop:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Probability:
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of the Telephone:
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.
Law of the Alibi:
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Variation Law:
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
Law of the Bath:
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Close Encounters:
The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
Law of the Result:
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
3) The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution is simple: Eat it in the parking lot.
Law of Biomechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
4) Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite, and you'll eat less.
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
Law of the Theatre:
Law of Coffee:
5) If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
6) If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other?
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
7) Money talks. Chocolate sings. Beautifully. 8) Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.
Murphy's Law of Lockers:
Law of Rugs/Carpets:
The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
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Ask Bill Could you describe your spiritual experience for us and your understanding of what happened? In December 1934, I appeared at Towns Hospital, New York. My old friend, Dr. William Silkworth shook his head. Soon free of my sedation and alcohol I felt horribly depressed. My friend Ebby turned up and although glad to see him, I shrank a little as I feared evangelism, but nothing of the sort happened. After some small talk, I again asked him for his neat little formula for recovery. Quietly and sanely and without the slightest pressure he told me and then he left. Lying there in conflict, I dropped into the blackest depression I had ever known. Momentarily my prideful depression was crushed. I cried out, "Now I am ready to do anything - anything to receive what my friend Ebby has." Though I certainly didn't expect anything, I did make this frantic appeal, "If there be a God, will He show Himself!" The result was instant, electric beyond description. The place seemed to light up, blinding white. I knew only ecstasy and seemed on a mountain. A great wind blew, enveloping and penetrating me. To me, it was not of air but of Spirit. Blazing, there came the tremendous thought, "You are a free man." Then the ecstasy subsided. Still on the bed, I now found myself in a new
world of consciousness which was suffused by a Presence. One with the Universe, a great peace came over me. I thought, "So this is the God of the preachers, this is the great Reality." But soon my so-called reason returned, my modern education took over and I thought I must be crazy and I became terribly frightened. Dr. Silkworth, a medical saint if ever there was one, came in to hear my trembling account of this phenomenon. After questioning me carefully, he assured me that I was not mad and that perhaps I had undergone a psychic experience which might solve my problem. Skeptical man of science though he then was, this was most kind and astute. If he had of said, "hallucination," I might now be dead. To him I shall ever be eternally grateful. Good fortune pursued me. Ebby brought me a book entitled "Varieties of Religious Experience" and I devoured it. Written by William James, the psychologist, it suggests that the conversion experience can have objective reality. Conversion does alter motivation and it does semi-automatically enable a person to be and to do the formerly impossible. Significant it was, that marked conversion experience came mostly to individuals who knew complete defeat in a controlling area of life. The book certainly showed variety but whether these experiences were bright or dim, cataclysmic or gradual, theological or intellectual in bearing, such conversions did have a common denominator - they did change utterly defeated people. So declared William James, the father of modern psychology. The shoe fitted and I have tried to wear it ever since. For drunks, the obvious answer was deflation at depth, and more of it. That seemed plain as a pikestaff. I had been trained as an engineer, so the news of this authoritative psychologist meant everything to me. This eminent scientist of the mind had confirmed everything that Dr. Jung had said, and had extensively documented all he claimed. Thus William James firmed up the foundation on which I and many others had stood all these years. I haven't had a drink of alcohol since 1934. (N.Y. Med. Soc. Alcsm., April 28,1958)
www.oraclediagnostic.com
954-430-5715
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The Healing Nature of Art Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher
Anyone who says you can't see a thought simply doesn't know art. ~Wynetka Ann Reynolds
Great art picks up where nature ends. ~Marc Creativity is allowing yourself to make mis- Chagall takes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told Painting is just another way of keeping a diary. her I worked at the college - that my job was to ~Pablo Picasso teach people how to draw. She stared at me, incredulous, and said, "You mean they forget?" Art is the only way to run away without leaving ~Howard Ikemoto home. ~Twyla Tharp
Sometimes, to pursue a new idea, the artist must forfeit his deposit on an old idea. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness. ~George Jean Nathan, House of Satan Art is the colors and textures of your imagination. ~Meghan, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999 All art requires courage. ~Anne Tucker
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso
Art is your personal diary where you may color your thoughts and emotions on a page. ~Sara, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999
Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. ~Stella Adler
Art is a shadow of what a person is thinking... a small glimpse of what they hold inside. Little secrets, regrets, joys... every line has its own meaning. ~Sarah, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999
Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. ~Leonardo da Vinci It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet. ~Kojiro Tomita Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to What art offers is space - a certain breathing record the reactions of his personality to the room for the spirit. ~John Updike world he lives in. ~Amy Lowell Let me ask you something, what is not art? To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - ~Author Unknown such is the duty of the artist. ~Schumann God and other artists are always a little obscure. An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one. ~Oscar Wilde ~Charles Horton Cooley There is no surer method of evading the world The artist's world is limitless. It can be found than by following Art, and no surer method of anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet linking oneself to it than by Art. ~Johann away. It is always on his doorstep. ~Paul Wolfgang von Goethe Strand I found I could say things with color and shapes Art is a collaboration between God and the that I couldn't say any other way - things I had artist, and the less the artist does the better. no words for. ~Georgia O'Keeffe ~AndrĂŠ Gide Man will begin to recover the moment he takes An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the art as seriously as physics, chemistry or money. actual world. ~George Santayana ~Ernst Levy
Art is your emotions flowing in a river of imagination. ~Devin, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999 Art is an adventure that never seems to end. ~Jason, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999 Art is pictures straight from the heart. ~Ben, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999 Art is the triumph over chaos. ~John Cheever Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. One of the best things about paintings is their silence - which prompts reflection and random reverie. ~Mark Stevens God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things. ~Pablo Picasso Art hath an enemy called ignorance. Jonson
~Ben
25
The Healing Nature of Music A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musi- My idea is that there is music in the air, music Levant, explaining his way out of a speeding cians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold all around us; the world is full of it, and you sim- ticket Stokowski ply take as much as you require. ~Edward Elgar The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scots as a Music washes away from the soul the dust of Alas for those that never sing, joke, but the Scots haven't got the joke yet. everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach But die with all their music in them! ~Oliver Herford ~Oliver Wendell Holmes If the King loves music, it is well with the land. What we provide is an atmosphere... of orches~Mencius Music is your own experience, your thoughts, trated pulse which works on people in a sublimWithout music life would be a mistake. your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come inal way. Under its influence I've seen shy debs and severe dowagers kick off their shoes and ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche out of your horn. ~Charlie Parker raise some wholesome hell. ~Meyer Davis, Take a music bath once or twice a week for a Life can't be all bad when for ten dollars you can about his orchestra few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what buy all the Beethoven sonatas and listen to them Music expresses that which cannot be said and a water bath is to the body. ~Oliver Wendell for ten years. ~William F. Buckley, Jr. on which it is impossible to be silent. ~Victor Holmes Hugo Why waste money on psychotherapy when you can listen to the B Minor Mass? ~Michael Torke
Music has been my playmate, my lover, and my crying towel. ~Buffy Sainte-Marie
He who sings scares away his woes. ~Cervantes
Music is an outburst of the soul. ~Frederick Delius
Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. ~Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name
Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory. ~Oscar Wilde In music the passions enjoy themselves. ~Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, 1886
Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author Unknown
Music is what life sounds like. ~Eric Olson
Musical compositions, it should be remembered, do not inhabit certain countries, certain museums, like paintings and statues. The Mozart Quintet is not shut up in Salzburg: I Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, have it in my pocket. ~Henri Rabaud and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself. ~Henry Ward Beecher Music is the poetry of the air. ~Richter [An intellectual] is someone who can listen to If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to the "William Tell Overture" without thinking of music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rap- the Lone Ranger. ~John Chesson ture upon earth. Sydney Smith Music's the medicine of the mind. ~John A. There is nothing in the world so much like Logan prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill You are the music while the music lasts. ~T.S. If in the after life there is not music, we will Eliot
If this word "music" is sacred and reserved for eighteenth and nineteenth century instruments, we can substitute a more meaningful term: organization of sound. ~John Cage Its language is a language which the soul alone understands, but which the soul can never translate. ~Arnold Bennett Music expresses feeling and thought, without language; it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words. ~Robert G. Ingersoll
Music is the literature of the heart; it comhave to import it. ~DomĂŠnico Cieri Estrada mences where speech ends. ~Alphonse de Music is the mediator between the spiritual and Music is the universal language of mankind. Lamartine ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Outre-Mer the sensual life. ~Ludwig van Beethoven I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality. ~H.A. Overstreet
Music rots when it gets too far from the dance. Poetry atrophies when it gets too far from music. ~Ezra Pound He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once. ~Robert Browning
There is in souls a sympathy with sounds: And as the mind is pitch'd the ear is pleased With melting airs, or martial, brisk or grave; Some chord in unison with what we hear Is touch'd within us, and the heart replies. You can't possibly hear the last movement of ~William Cowper Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. ~Oscar
26
GiriBeck
Benefits of Meditation
"We sought through prayer and meditation to When Do When Don't improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of connected crazy his will for us and the power to carry that out.' peaceful stressed happier irritated Those of us practicing a 12-step program recog- energetic scattered nize this as the 11th step. The step is clear, it clarity confused states prayer and meditation, yet how many in complete tired the fellowship are actually practicing meditation aware angry on a regular basis? Sadly, the answer is, not centered joyless many. I feel that if people only realized the balanced alone many profound benefits of meditation, they focused separate would have the willingness to develop a daily content restless practice. In no time at all, after feeling the benefits, they would definitely want to keep it up. In your value system, which list is you? \ How much time would it take to change? We are free to choose the type of meditation that What's your excuse for not meditating? suits us from the many styles that are available. Are you ready to have more joy in your life I do come across clients who are listening to now? "guided visualization" CD's that are on the market. These are great and I encourage you to use The meaning of life is found by diving deep them. Speaking in a classical sense though, they within. We can let ourselves become so distractare not really meditation, as they do not require ed by our busy lives, we seldom stop, even for a you to train your mind through any deep con- moment, to notice what is going on inside. The centration. mind is being constantly stimulated by the bomThe classical form of meditation that I instruct people in is designed to train our unwieldy minds. Many of us have not been "masters" of our minds, but rather "servants." Alas, there is a way to finally step up as the "chairperson of the committee" in your head. When the mind has been trained to be calm and still, we are able to "hear" information coming from a "higher" place, rather than the ego. With the help of meditation, we can gain knowledge of the Self (with a big S). Meditation is the road to the attainment of freedom, without it, we cannot liberate ourselves from the trappings of the mind. Part of my work is as a facilitator of Transformational Breath (Registered Trademark) In our seminars, we ask the participants what spiritual practices they are using. We hear things like, prayer, walking in nature, reading spiritual material, dancing, chanting, breathwork and selfless service - great. These are all wonderful practices, but are all objective doing & expressing, they are of a masculine nature. Meditation is more subjective - going in and receiving, it is of a feminine nature. In the beginning, it is a form of concentration, but eventually, all effort ceases. Our western society typically does not support "being" rather than "doing." If we are to have a balanced spiritual life, both are necessary. We ask folks how they feel when they meditate vs. how they feel when they don't. These are typical responses.
bardment of perceptions from the senses. Very often, it is not until a person reaches a point of great distress that he realizes it is time to stop and take stock of what is happening in his life. Meditation is the practice by which there is a constant observation of the mind. It involves setting aside a regular time and place for the specific purpose of discovering that infinite well of wisdom that lies within. In meditating regularly, the mind becomes clearer and clearer, and motives become more and more pure. The subconscious releases hidden knowledge that allows understanding of the ways in which we bind ourselves in daily habits. The ego is slowly eradicated on a broader awareness of the universe and one's relationship to it. Ultimately, the intuitive forces are released, leading to a life of wisdom and peace. Among the benefits of meditation are: inner peace, peace of mind, balanced state of mind, concentration, connection with Self and all, clarity of purpose, and Self-realization. The main practice is to meditate daily, without expectation. You must experience meditation for yourself. Like sleeping, you cannot really teach someone, but you can help someone create the conditions for meditation to happen. Simple steps to begin your practice 1. Set aside a special place for meditation. (keep clean and free of clutter)
2. Choose a time when the mind will be free of everyday concerns (dawn and dusk are ideal) 3. Using same time & place each day conditions the mind to slow down more quickly. 4. Sit with your back, neck and head in a straight line. If possible, sit cross-legged on a mat on the floor. Elevate your hips with a cushion to release the knees. If this is not comfortable for you in the beginning, you may sit up straight in a chair with feet on the floor, crossed at the ankles. If you practice the classical yoga postures regularly, you will find your body is prepared to sit cross-legged on the floor. 5. Instruct your mind to remain quiet for the duration of your meditation session. 6. Regulate your breathing-start with a couple of minutes of deep breathing into the abdomen (through the nose if possible). Then, slow the breath down. 7. Establish a rhythmic breathing patterninhaling for 3 seconds, exhaling for 3 seconds. 8. At first, let your mind wander, it will only grow more restless if you force it to concentrate. 9. Now, bring your mind to rest on a chosen focal point (point between the eyebrows for the more intellectual type, or at the heart center for someone with a more emotional/devotional nature). 10. Apply a chosen technique, (either focusing on your breathing coming in and out, or mentally repeating a mantra like om or any other sacred word or phrase). If the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the point of concentration over and over again with no judgment. This is the practice. Begin practicing for 5 minutes twice per day, and gradually, as you become established in the habit, increase your time to 20-30 minutes. You will notice benefits in no time. Excerpts taken from "Meditation & Mantras" by Swami Vishnudevananda.
Giri Bek is a certified Yoga & Meditation instructor, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Transformational Breath (Registered Trademark) facilitator offering classes, workshops & retreats in NY and Florida. She is a certified Yoga of Recovery (Trademark) Counselor and member of the Alliance for Addiction Solutions. Giri has been in recovery for over 16 years.
ww.giribek.com
27 Trad
Traditional Chinese Medicine and
Addiction David Schnitzer A.P.
Recovering addicts are often faced with difficult decisions when it comes to health care. They often find themselves asking "Do I take medications to which I have an addiction or cross-addiction?" or "Do I face the challenge of wading through the myriad of "alternative" treatments to find one that is effective, non-addictive, works within my Program and, most of all, works to treat my pain, anxiety, insomnia or other health care concerns?" The answers to these health questions are often hard to find and confusing. Not only does the recovering person need to find someone who understands the challenges that people face in recovery, but also someone can effectively treat their health problems with a proven and safe method. One form of therapy that is growing in popularity, status, and being more widely accepted is Traditional Chinese Medicine. (TCM) Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a safe, viable option to the addict in recovery who is addressing modern health care concerns. Unfor-tunately for the recovering person, addictive medications are often the first choice of West-ern medicine in the treatment of generally common ailments such as pain, insomnia and anxiety. These addictive medications are generally highly effective, relatively inexpensive, and readily available when compared to other forms of therapy. However, TCM only recently became a widely accepted option for health in the U. S. Within the last two decades U.S. schools have been teaching Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine is the oldest, continually practiced, professional medicine in the world. It stretches back almost five thousand years and is used by one-quarter of the modern day world's population. Built on empirical evidence, TCM uses effective treatments that have stood the test of time. TCM works by re-establishing the balance within the body. While Western Medicine generally focuses on the symptom and the complaint, TCM focuses on the entire body. There are many western theories about how this is accomplished. One such theory is that acupuncture releases specific hormones to block pain and stimulate neural receptors in the body. Another scientifically tested theory is what TCM calls "Qi" (pronounced "Chi") or life force. Energy flows in pathways called "meridians", which are attached to and associated with organs in the body. This "Qi" is used to reestablish and stimulate our body's ability to heal. Acupuncture combined with a comprehensive pharmacopoeia of medicinal herbs is well known for safety and lack of side effects, when administered by a qualified practitioner of TCM. Acupuncture utilizes the body's Qi to help the body remedy acute and chronic ailments, relieve pain, enhance recuperative powers, and strengthen the immune system. Many people confuse western herbs with Chinese herbal therapies. Diagnosis, preparation and administration are extremely important in order to achieve a positive outcome. TCM uses around 850 herbs. These herbs need to be prescribed correctly for safe and effective results.
Diagnosis is extremely important. Incomplete or misdiagnosis will lead to the possibility that the herbs will either have no effect or can even be dangerous. How-ever, acupuncture and herbs are well known for their efficacy and lack of side of effects, when administered by a qualified practitioner. As powerful and as good as TCM is though, it can not replace your 12 Step Pro-gram. Working your program must be first. However, TCM can be used to address health care problems from a holistic approach; it should be looked at first instead of as a last resort, when all else fails. Traditional Chinese Medicine is not a novelty or a fad. Rather it is becoming a more widely accepted and effectively used, complete system of medicine that treats the whole person. David Schnitzer is an Acupuncturist in West Palm Beach, FL. Call David Schnitzer at (561) 313-8517 for a detailed description of the services offered. David Schnitzer offers services that include acupuncture, Chinese herbal formula, herbal medicine, smoking cessation and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Talk to David Schnitzer for information about your acupuncture needs in West Palm Beach, FL.
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28
Emmet Fox Page Dr. Emmet Fox was a Minister, Author, Teacher, Healer and Mystic. Emmet Fox, probably more than any other New Thought leader has influenced more people simple because, in his day he attracted wider audiences than anyone else for longer periods of time. To this day, Emmet Fox is read more widely and is understood more clearly than any other New Thought writer. His objective, as a New Thought teacher has always been, not to establish yet another religion, not to establish yet another set of religious doctrines, but to encourage individuals, whether they attend church or not, to develop their own creative power and to personally understand what God is, and what God is all about, and then to be able to relate that to their own lives. His message was simple and direct. He said, "Sooner or later you will have to put God first in your life, God must become the only thing that really matters. It need not be and better not be the only thing in your life, but it must be the first thing." He said, "when that happens your life becomes simple, richer and infinitely more worthwhile." He brought new meaning to millions of people around the globe with his golden keys of health, inner peace and success.
FIFTEEN POINTS I Am Really In Truth:
If - I always look for the best in each person, situation and thing. If - I resolutely turn my back on the past, good or bad and live only in the present & future If - I forgive everybody without exception, no matter what he may have done; and if I then forgive MYSELF whole-heartedly. If - I regard my job as sacred and do my day's work to the best of my ability (whether I like it or not). If - I take every means to demonstrate a healthy body and harmonious surroundings for myself. If - I endeavor to make my life of as much service to others as possible, without interfering or fussing. If - I take every opportunity wisely to spread the knowledge of Truth to others. If - I rigidly refrain from personal criticism, and neither speak nor listen to gossip. If - I devote at least a quarter of an hour a day to prayer and meditation. If - I read at least seven verses of the Bible everyday. If - I specifically claim spiritual understanding of myself every day. If - I train myself to give the first thought on waking to God. If - I speak the Word for the whole world every day, say at noon. If - I PRACTICE, the Golden Rule of Jesus instead of merely admiring it. He said, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." The important point about the Golden Rule is that I am to practice it whether the other fellow does so or not. If - above all, I understand that whatever I see is but a picture which can be changed for the better by Scientific Prayer. If you want to demonstrate ask yourself once a week how far you are observing these points in your life. ---Emmet Fox
WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC PRAYER? Scientific prayer or spiritual treatment is really the lifting of your consciousness above the level where you have met your problem. If only you can rise high enough in thought, the problem will the solve itself. This is really the only problem you have - to raise in consciousness. The more "difficult," which means the more deeply rooted in your thoughts, is the problem concerned, the higher you will have to rise. What is called a small trouble, will yield to a slight raise in consciousness. What is called a serious difficulty, will require a relatively higher rise. What is called a terrible danger or hopeless problem, will require a considerable rise in consciousness to overcome it - but that is the only difference. Do not waste time trying to straighten out your own or other people's problems by manipulating thought - that gets you nowhere - but raise your consciousness, and the action of God will do the rest. Jesus healed sick people and reformed many sinners by raising his consciousness above the picture they presented. He controlled the wind and the waves in the same way. He raised the dead because he was able to get as high in consciousness as is necessary to do this. To raise your consciousness you must positively withdraw your attention from the picture for the time being (The Golden Key) and then concentrate gently upon spiritual truth. You may do this by reading the Bible or any spiritual book that appeals to you, by going over any hymn or poem that helps you in this way, or by the use of one or more affirmations, just as you like. I know many people who have secured the necessary elevation of consciousness by browsing at random through the Bible. A man I know was saved in a terrible shipwreck by quickly reading the 91st psalm. Another man healed himself of a supposedly hopeless disease by working on the one affirmation, "God Is Love," until he was able to realize something of what that greatest of all statements must really mean. If you work with affirmations, be careful not to get tense; but there is no reason why you should not employ all these methods in turn, and also any others that you can think of. Sometimes a talk with a spiritual person gives you just the lift that you need. It matters not how you rise so long as you do rise. "I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." Emmet Fox
Since I was encouraged in the Big Book to search out spirituality by reading the many books on the subject I have a library of over a hundred books on spirituality and philosophy. Emmet Fox is my favorite. Many of these are from the source books that Bill Wilson used to write the Big Book. It is obvious to any one reading this page that the work of Emmet Fox resonates with the words in the Big Book. Bill borrowed many of them from Dr. Fox. If you have interest in his work a couple of good starting points would be:
http://emmetfox.net http://emmetfox.wwwhubs.com
29
For Your Inspiration
The Cab Ride I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. I walked to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elder- The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. ly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.'Nothing,' I said' “You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passenAfter along pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood gers,' I responded. before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she Said. 'Thank By her side was a small nylon suitcase. you.' I squeezed her hand, and then The apartment looked as if no one had walked into the dim morning light. lived in it for years. All the furniture was Behind me, a door shut.. It was the sound covered with sheets. of the closing of a life.. There were no clocks on the walls, no knick knacks or utensils. On the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated. 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gaveme an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What If I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolvea round great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifullywrapped in what others may consider a small one.aaand often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.Thank you, my friend...
{Often I wonder why I bother with Facebook. It is a time waster and I spend 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered enough time on the computer working on quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm the paper. It has become a part of our in no hurry. I'm on my way to a Hospice.� lives but I think that Facebook and texting have replaced the warmth of personal contact. Well I got this from a I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have freind on Facebook.and it is the rare gem like this that keeps me coming any family left,' she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have back. I was very moved by the piece as it is about kindness the most healvery long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the mter.'What route would ing energy we can share..I hope you personally share the article and kindyou like me to take?' I asked. ness with others. --Dave F} For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm Tired.. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
30
Chef Lester’s Sober Sideboard
Healthy Eating touch on each area of NALES in future issues.
1/2
If you are new to solutions for a healthy lifestyle, do not be discouraged about changing bad lifestyle habits. We didn't acquire the bad habits overnight. Rome wasn't built in a day. Change a little at a time. Learn to enjoy more grains, legumes, cereals, vegetables, fruits, potatoes, noodles and rice in your diet and less meat, fats, salt and sugar.
1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
We do stress portion control. This means smaller quantities of meats and sweets. We don't truly believe in "bad" foods. Some foods are just not as healthy as others. If we can't live without an occasional trip to the pizza palace, chicken shack, or the burger doodle…have at it. Then "pick yourself up and get back on the track!" Our rule of thumb is TOTAL abstinence FROM alcohol, drugs or whatever is our addiction.
Hiya! New Year swells, swellers, and former swillers and spillers! Congratulations on starting a sober sane New Year. We are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. When we talk about healthy eating, we are not referring to dieting. It is about changing the way we think about food---permanently! It is learning to love foods that contribute to our overall well being and help us look and feel great. It's all about having the vim, vigor and vitality to enjoy living life to it's fullest in sobriety. VIVA SOBRIETY! It is true that fat, cream, butter, salt, and sugar help make foods tasty. It is also true they expand hips, thighs, butts, and bellies! We need expendable calories to give us energy not expandable calories to give us girth. Having good sober friends, eating nutritiously, maintaining a positive mental state, having fun and laughing a lot, being physically active, and getting plenty of rest is a recipe for good health. We have an easy way to remember that recipe…think: "N-A-L-E-S" short for N utrition, A ttitude, L aughter, E xercise, and S leep! Try it! It works! It's a recipe for healthy living in sobriety. We are going to
We recently were invited to a Polka Party by some Polish friends in recovery. The food, the music, dancing, and fellowship were terrific. This issue's recipe is a hearty cabbage casserole based on an authentic Polish recipe for cabbage rolls. Cabbage is low in sodium and calories. It is high in vitamin C and loaded with fiber. You can make it with beef, but we used ground turkey to make it more calorie conscious. A dear friend from Warsaw suggested the idea of not rolling the "rolls" in order to make it a quicker and simpler dish to prepare. Now, let's grab our aprons, don our chef's hats, and polka to the kitchen.
UNROLLED POLISH CABBAGE ROLLS (Serve 4)
INGREDIENTS: Cooking Spray 1
pound lean ground turkey
1
medium onion, chopped
2
cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups low sodium/fat free chicken broth 2
cups canned tomato sauce
teaspoon each dried rosemary and
basil 1 medium head of cabbage (about 2 ½ pounds) Kosher or sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS: 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cut cabbage into 8 wedges removing hard center core. Cook cabbage 10-12 minutes until tender. Drain cabbage in a colander. 2. Spray a medium size fry pan with cooking spray. Heat to medium. Lightly brown turkey about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in rosemary and basil. Cook additional 1 minute. Thoroughly mix in cooked white rice. Set aside. 3. Pre-heat oven to 350º. Take a 13 x 9 x 2 inch casserole dish and spray it with cooking spray. Line casserole with half of the cabbage wedge leaves. Cover cabbage with meat and rice mixture. Pour chicken broth and 8 ounces of the tomato sauce over turkey/rice mixture. Top with remaining cabbage. Pour the rest of the tomato sauce on the top layer of cabbage. Bake 30 minutes until casserole is hot and bubbly .
SERVING: Let the casserole cool 5 minutes. Sweet candied carrots are a tasty side. A terrific salad is apple, walnuts, and raisins with reduced fat mayo and low fat feta cheese. Finish with no-sugar-added (deli) peach pie and hot coffee. However you do this hearty meal your polka dancing darlings will be stepping in high style as they tell you, "That's DEE-licious!" Try it…your tummy will be glad you did!" ---Chef Lester
Chef Lester, author, columnist, and television host. Chef Lester is a graduate of the Culinary Arts Academy. Questions, comments, or suggestions? E-mail: cheflesterlee@yahoo.com
31
Rebecca B.
Let Go And Let God
Sitting in an old wooden chair with a semi-cushioned pastel seat, worn smooth and faded by those before me, in an office filled with the aroma of cigarette smoke, (as you could still smoke inside at that time) - My heart beating wildly in my chest with the very distinct thumping sound of my own pulse pounding in my ears - my mind racing, while my legs involuntarily bobbed up and down with my fingers interlocked in a death grip and my teeth clinched - I listened as my counselor responded to the myriad of desperate fears and concerns I had laid out before him, (in great detail I might add), and summed them up by saying, "Well Rebecca, you are just going to have to let go and let God." THIS was NOT acceptable! Did he not understand the gravity of my predicament or how utterly hopeless my situation was? Had he been listening to a WORD I had just said? Did he care at all? NO! He certainly did not!! (Or so I thought at the time.) Of course at this point I wasn't able to tell him just how very angry and short changed I felt, (as communication skills were not my strong point)…I would instead stew on it for a while until some time in the not so distant future when I would surely explode into a tirade of tears and rage on some innocent soul. Of course what I was seeking so desperately then, was a desire deeply rooted in every human heart which was the longing for peace ~ peace of mind and peace within my soul. Peace is defined as "An absence of mental stress or anxiety; Absence of hostility; Cessation or lapse in violent internal conflict; A state of harmony AND…Unlikely to last unless further steps are taken to prevent resurgence. But what were those steps? How could "I" obtain that peace? What seemed early on to be the answer was ~ "If I want peace…then didn't "I" need to make it happen?" But as time passed - days turning into weeks, weeks into months and months into years - I would grow and come to realize and marvel at how the physical aspects of life and the world I lived in, demonstrated in a very real way, spiritual principles and truths for living and thriving in it; One of those truths being the idea that by exerting my strength and my will into a situation, I could in fact actually make it worse - even threaten my own well being; Where if I instead, "Let Go", I would have a much greater possibility of being safe and doing well. One example of this is Rip Currents. They are the single most hazardous beach condition that a swimmer can face. Every year over
100 people loose their lives in rip currents. The greatest threat to human life by a rip current is that the individual who finds themselves in one panics and tries to swim against the current, becoming exhausted and soon going under and drowning. Some tips for avoiding the this dangerous situation is: (1) Never swim where there are no lifeguards; (2) Learn what to look for in the water to spot a rip current; (3) If you DO find yourself in a rip current the key to survival is to NOT panic, NOT swim against it or fight it, but rather to swim parallel to the shore with the current until you are out of it and then either swim in or allow the waves to assist you back to shore. Having had a couple of my own experiences with rip currents, (neither of which caused my life to be in jeopardy), I have tried it both ways. Once I found myself in one and tried to swim against the current. It was such a small area that I felt I could do it. It was incredible the power of the current and how VERY quickly I found myself extremely fatigued. On still another occasion, while shell hunting I found that fighting the current to look for shells was impossible along the shore line, but allowing the current to take me down the beach was an interesting and relaxing experience as I just allowed it to carry me. (NOT advising anyone to do that, but the water I was in was about thigh high and I was in no danger.) Another example of this was to be found in my experiences growing up with Asthma. As early as I can remember I always had bronchial asthma - very severe. To make this worse, I was also allergic to pretty much everything, so life was a constant cycle of allergic reactions triggering asthma and asthma attacks and illnesses related to it such as bronchitis and pneumonia causing me to become more sensitive to those things I was allergic to. What I remember most about asthma was the greatly dreaded and frequently experienced sensation of suffocation. I can remember waking from my sleep & feeling as if I were breathing through a straw that someone was holding the end of. There would be bone crushing pain in my chest and my back as I would sit up trying desperately to breathe only to feel tiny bits of air passing into my lungs, usually causing a hissing sound. No matter what I did, no matter how straight I tried to bring my posture ~ no air would come. By the age of 7 or 8 I knew what I had to do. In the face of the late night attack that would strike leaving me unable to even call out for help, I knew I had to stay "calm". That's right…the worst thing an asthmatic can do in the face of suffocation is to panic. To panic is to bring about the very thing
feared most - total shut down. I would begin a breathing technique that was self taught, (which prevented aggravating my bronchial tubes causing terrible coughing fits that would only worsen the situation), and would allow enough air so as to not pass out. I knew that if I couldn't get my breath or call out for help to throw something and that would wake my family. I knew to not give in to the futile urge to try and cough to clear my lungs. I knew to get the glass of water beside my bed and sip on it. I knew to sit up and not lay flat and most importantly…I knew to pray, because even as a little girl, peace always came when I talked to God. As I would do these things, my body would begin to relax and I would find myself able to breathe better and to sleep. Both of these experiences influenced my concept of "Let Go and Let God" as I grew in the rooms of recovery. Like all people, I have had my fair share of struggles and difficulties in this life - many of which have occurred in my sobriety. My natural impulse for a long time was the desire to not face painful or frightening situations, but rather look for a way to lighten or avoid this pain all together. But, having learned that the "easier softer way" only paves the path to future consequences, pain and destruction - I found it was much better to follow a few simple guidelines: (1) Don't put myself in situations where I don't have access to support - don't isolate; (2) Learn how to recognize "stinking thinking" so as to better spot it when it happens and avoid getting into it; (3) Know where the solutions are and how to use them by using and communicating with a sponsor; (4) Talk to God and allow Him to do for me what I can NOT do for myself. You see, the peace that I wanted could not be obtained by what "I" did to make it come about…in order to have it "further steps had to be taken". So what were the steps? How was it to be done? The steps were numbered 1-12 and the result of them was peace - because it was in the steps that I found the release from the obsession and compulsion to drink and use; I found release from the cares and worries that used to dominate me; I found my imagination fired and my heart filled with a passion and desire for this life; I found these things not by what I "did"…but by Grace. (Grace is defined as an undeserved gift, unearned favor and obtained ONLY through perfect surrender) In order for me to experience the "gift of grace" and all the freedom and life that comes with it…I had to "Let Go and Let God!"
Rebecca B. (BeccainBham@aol.com)
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Mel B.
It's True That Money Doesn't Buy Happiness But We Do Have Responsibilities In This World My point is not just to express disapproval of such thoughtlessness--many of us have been guilty of it. Rather, I think we should aim for a realistic view of material things, so that we don't make fools of ourselves by dismissing them out of hand, and at the same time don't make slaves of ourselves by letting materialism become our be-all and end-all.
It's ALMOST a clichĂŠ. Time and time again, you'll hear AA members talk about what's happened to them in the way of financial recovery, then quickly add, "But material things don't count. Money doesn't buy happiness. You don't have to drive a Cadillac to feel good." Whatever its form, the statement makes me uneasy. It is true that excessive materialism is one of the curses of our age, and that many of us have come to grief while in pursuit of the god of business success. Others have been disillusioned when they found success and it turned to ashes in their grasp. And there's no doubt that material things are limited in their power to give us what we really need in life. Materialism should be modified. But dare we push this modification to the point of saying that material things don't count at all? Sometimes, there's almost a trace of hypocrisy in these announcements. An AA member speaks at our group and tells with great joy of his emancipation from the need to own a Cadillac. Walking with him to the parking lot, I am then astonished to see him slide behind the wheel of his new Caddy for the trip home. If Cadillacs don't, count, why is he driving one? Why didn't he buy a compact and give the difference to charity?
person is so deprived of the basic necessities of ordinary living that he becomes preoccupied with fear and need; hence, he is unhappy. A friend who has had several financial setbacks in his life tells me that he fears destitution, but not poverty. He sees poverty only as a low standard of living. As a rule, poor people still have a roof, three meals, and (in the U.S.) often a car of some kind. But destitute people have nothing. It is obvious, too, that few people really One could be poor and happy; one could rarely believe anybody who speaks out against materi- be destitute and happy. alism or money. The world has few genuine Thoreaus or Gandhis, and most of us pursue I have found a personal answer by seemoney to a certain degree. We also live in a type ing material things as spiritual ideas. God made of world that is virtually uninhabitable without the physical world, as well as the spiritual and money. Many of us could not even get to work mental. It is our job to use material things propwithout an automobile, and we have countless erly, seeing them just as things to use and not as other fixed obligations to meet: shelter, clothing, objects for either worship or condemnation. It is heat, lights, food, taxes, education, medical also our job to use spiritual ideas and principles expenses. A person who tried to get by without properly, recognizing that, while they are supethese necessities in our present society wouldn't rior to material things, they do not replace the be admired; he would be thought irresponsible. material. The problem with materialism grows out of the false views we have towards money; money itself is not the problem. These false views involve a tendency to ascribe too much power to money, to see it as an answer to every human problem and need. Perhaps we are unconsciously inclined to assume that, since a certain amount of money is very good, increasing amounts will bring proportionate increases of good. But it does not work this way. The power of money is limited; it is completely ineffective in satisfying some needs, though it may be indispensable in satisfying certain others. What will money do? In general, it will purchase comfort, convenience, and means of pleasure--material things. If you have money, you can live in a comfortable home, have appliances, automobiles, and services for your convenience, and seek pleasure through vacation trips and frequent entertainment.
But if a person is basically unhappy, he cannot be made happy by obtaining comfort and convenience. It is not at all uncommon to find some of the unhappiest people in fine suburban Or take the occasional member who lechomes. This does not prove that fine suburban tures the destitute down-and-outer. Outside, the homes are bad for happiness. It only shows that temperatures are falling, and the newcomer the source of happiness is never in "things." wonders where he will sleep that night. He has stumbled confused into AA, partly for hope and But it would be silly to leap from this partly to bum the price of a night's lodging. observation to the belief that one can be happy Before he knows it, somebody is telling him not though destitute. Unhappiness and actual destito be preoccupied with "material things," tution seem to go hand in hand. The destitute because his first need is to get sober!
Perhaps we could get the most balanced view of this if we looked upon both money and spiritual principles as "tools" for good living. A competent artisan knows that he must have an assortment of tools in his kit to perform any job well, and he uses each tool for a specific purpose. He does not condemn the saw because it is not a good hammer, and he does not throw away his plane because it will not drill holes. He uses each tool for its intended purpose and completes the job. As recovered alcoholics, we naturally want to live in reasonable comfort with all the happiness and personal fulfillment we can find. It is up to us to enhance this comfortable life with a healthy spiritual outlook--an outlook characterized by feelings of gratitude, goodwill, optimism, and unselfishness. Such an outlook includes a practical appreciation of the value in material things. We know, then, that material things do matter--but not to the exclusion of other values in life.
Mel B. is former editor of the AA Grapevine and a well known speaker and writer on the subject of AA. His website is http://www.walkindryplaces.com
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Rev. Rhonda K. Liles, MHS
Endings Create Beginnings “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” (Seneca). WOW 2010 has ended, and what an amazing year it has been. When I look at where I was last New Year’s Eve—in one of life’s many transition times—compared to where I am this New Year’s Eve I find myself smack in the middle of (you got it) more of life’s transitions. Sometimes in this journey of life and spiritual evolution and growth, we find ourselves wanting to hold on the “old” for a variety of reasons: it’s familiar and comfortable, we worked hard for “it,” and it was “the best” are just a few that I have said or heard. What are the reasons that come to your mind for you? I am reminded that the constant in life’s transitions is the Divine Presence that is within! In planning for the New Year’s Eve Burning Bowl sacred service and the Sunday White Stone sacred services at Unity of the Palm Beaches, I was able to take the opportunity to reflect on the rich and abundant blessings 2010 provided and open myself to the unlimited possibilities that are mine/ours for claiming in 2011. Themes that have been shared are “Living an Abundant Life,” “Manifest Heaven in 2011” and “Thrive In Unity” so I have decided that they are all great and I plan to use them all by “Thriving in Unity WE Manifest Heaven and Live an Abundant Life!” Thriving is defined by Webster as “to prosper or flourish; to be successful” and Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore in the Revealing Word defines Heaven as “The Christ consciousness; the realm of Divine Mind; a state of consciousness in harmony with the thoughts of God. Heaven is everywhere present. It is the orderly, lawful adjustment of God’s kingdom in man’s mind, body, and affairs.” In all that I do I am choosing heaven, right here and right now, and for 2011 and you are invited! Life’s transitions are for me “the go phase” of letting go of the known to “see” the unknown, remain prayerfully centered in faith and taking action on the guidance and discernment resulting from being prayerful-
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ly centered. As we bring 2010 to a close there are a multitude of “release activities” such as meditation, journaling, and burning bowl; the important thing is to pick one and apply it to the ending and releasing. It is important in preparing for the new to open ones heart, mind, and spirit to life-affirming and enhancing thoughts and ideas. This again can be done in a variety of ways from prayer, meditation, treasure mapping, visioning, and journaling. T.S. Eliot said, “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” Let your endings be completed with grace and ease, and the voice you use to make your heavenly beginning be one of love, compassion and peace. We are being called by the universe to wake up, grow up in consciousness, and step up for healing, harmony, and abundance for our lives, our communities, our world neighbors, and planet earth. You have within you all you need to consciously co-create a life that dances in harmony, joy, and oneness. For information contact: Unity of the Palm Beaches 1957 South Flagler Drive West Palm Beach FL 33401
www.unitypalmbeach.com 561-833-6483
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Lori Reyes
Authenticity In Motion: Movement Meditation "Moving with the feet is one thing, but moving with the heart is another." more acceptance, more love for all. Our western culture does not teach - Anonymous this philosophy, however, it is inherent in us all. Authentic Movement provides an opportunity to put on our "original face" and see the world as Definitions per Merriam-Webster: "Authentic" - true to one's own person- a child would, with love and grace. ality, spirit, or character; "Movement" - a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also: an organized effort to promote or Okay, so what does all this mean? attain an end. Most of us have been to psychotherapy and/or a 12-step fellowship at some point in our lives. What is Authentic Movement? A patient speaks and a psychotherapist, or other individuals in a 12-step Authentic Movement is a completely self-directed form of meditation in group, listen intently to what the person says. They do this in a way that which individuals may discover a movement pathway or sequence that creates a non-ordinary reality, where the therapist is there to truly and offers a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious. Authentic deeply hear what you have to say. This communication is different from Movement also explores the relationship between two people, a mover that of ordinary reality with friends or family. If you've experienced therand a witness. The witness is present to simply "see" the mover without apy and/or 12-step meetings you know the difference, here you feel truly judgment attending fully to both the mover and his/her own inner experi- and genuinely heard and you are allowed to express the most sincere parts ence. The union of mover and witness in a space of authenticity and of yourself typically with words. integrity provides both the potential for healing and a return to one's true self. Though personal shadow issues may emerge (the stuff we don't like However, most of us have discovered that the most incredible and wonabout ourselves), the witness accepts the mover without analysis or direc- derful way to communicate with another human being is not through your tion and speaks only when the mover asks for a response. The mover and verbal expressions, it's through your movement. A hug, kiss, a loving witness together can achieve a level of perception touch on the face during a hard time, holding of self and other that evokes deep respect and hands with a loved one, all these movements are empathy. delectable, striking, and comprehensive ways in which we as human beings communicate on an How does it work? extraordinarily deeper level. We all came into this Authentic Movement works with the natural intelworld in a breath, in a moment of grace regardless ligence of the body, mind, and spirit and their of the circumstance. We felt the touch of the docdrive for wholeness and integration. We pay attentor, mid-wife, father. We were protected in the tion to the body and invite it to guide us into hands and arms of an other, perhaps a mother. movement or stillness, suspending self-criticism The feathered caress of an eyelash on tender and inviting awareness. We may move, or be exposed skin, salty tears fallen on an upturned moved, into deeper streams of consciousness. As cheek. There were no words to communicate and we practice, the artificial boundaries between awaken the universe within, only expression in body, mind, and spirit begin to dissolve and we movement. Then, when we lovingly pass from discover aspects of our selves and our lives from this realm, we also pass in a breath, a kiss planted new perspectives. As we practice with others, we on the forehead, a hand held with no need for develop an appreciation for the diversity of human vocabulary to express our feelings because there experience. is no need for verbal language. We return back to What does it look like? the simple, scrumptious, and ample repartee of Authentic Movement looks like people sensing, movement. listening, and simply being. There is no expected style, no arranged movement, and no experience whatsoever is required. Movement can "There is a point where in the mystery of existence contradictions meet; include anything from complete stillness to vigorous movement through where movement is not all movement and stillness is not all stillness; space. It is usually practiced with no musical accompaniment and with where the idea and the form, the within and the without, are united; where eyes inwardly focused to encourage inner attention, self-direction, and a infinite becomes finite, yet not" - Rabindranath Tagor, 1861-1941 sense of privacy. Throughout there is a sense of discovery and revelation, of the weight or lightness of being, of individual truths experienced and expressed. Lori Reyes founded Synergy Place (formerly known as dharma Who is it for? Adults of any age can practice Authentic Movement. It requires no particular skill, training or ability in movement or dance. Rather it calls for curiosity, respect, honesty, and some courage to face the mysteries of our inner being. It has applications in many fields, including health, education, spirituality, human relations, the arts, and individual daily living. What is the purpose? The goal of Authentic Movement is to examine our interactions with self in relation to others. The natural integration that occurs is a profoundly exciting and extraordinary process to witness in ourselves and others. It teaches non-judgmental observing which can only provide more care,
workshops) in Delray FL in 2003. Through Synergy she provides a unique and effective therapeutic experience combining traditional techniques with holistic and illuminating methods to promote self-growth and recovery. Lori co-directs and leads the Nine Leaps Home personal development and breathwork 9 month training program, provides community seminars on self-development and aliveness, and mentors up and coming breathwork practitioners in South Florida. She can be reached as:
Lori Reyes, MSW, Synergy - A Place To Heal www.lorireyes.com, 561.809.2073
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