THE HOT CHOCOLATE STORY: A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups-porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: 'Notice that all the nice looking expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the sour ce of your problems and stress.The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup but you consciously went for the best cups...and then you began eyeing each others cups.Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate, your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have.The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.
UPDATED OLDIEs: Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include:
Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker.
Ringo Starr--- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.
The Bee Gees--- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.
Bobby Darin--- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.
Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.
Johnny Nash--- I Can't See Cl early Now.
Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores--- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.
Marvin Gaye--- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.
Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair.
Leo Sayer--- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.
The Temptations--- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.
Abba--- Denture Queen.
Tony Orlando--- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.
Helen Reddy--- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.
Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.
Willie Nelson--- On the Commode Again ----------
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Hurtful words---Pieces or Peace?
Did you hear the story of the little boy with a bad temper? Handing his son a bag of nails, the boy's father explains each time his son loses his temper and shouts angry hurtful words he must hammer a nail into the back of the wooden fence in their yard. On that first day 37 nails went into the fence.Over the next few weeks the boy began discovering it was easier to hold his temper and his tongue than trek all the way out to the back fence and pound those nails into the fence. After some time the boy proudly approached his father and announced he had not lost temper at all for several days. His wise father suggested his son pull out one nail for each temper-free day. Finally, boasting that all the nails were gone, the boy takes his dad's hand and leads him to the fence without nails. "You have done well, my son. Now look at the holes in the fence. It will never be the same. When you say things in anger your words leave scars, just like these holes."I've heard some people try to justify, rationalize or excuse their harsh words and disrespectful attitudes by proclaiming "You're just too sensitive, don't take it so seriously!" or "This is me...so get over it." "What's the big deal anyway?" Anger itself is not evil, but unchecked angry and aggressive words can cause paralyzing fear, painful hurt, distancing and loss of intimacy.The truth is, harsh, harmful and hateful words can be just as deadly to our spirit as weapons of mass destruction are to our lives. In Eph. 4:19 Paul reminds us it is okay to be angry, but don't use damaging words, condemn or tear down someone's self-esteem. The problem doesn't lie in the expression of anger, but in the way we use it. We can choose to express anger in healthy or unhealthy ways--in ways that heal or hurt.There is a difference between getting angry and being an angry person. When the expression of anger dominates our life and personality we are no longer a person with anger, but an angry person. A study, by Mary K. Biaggious, discovered students who were quick to express anger had less self-control, less tolerance and less flexibility than those who were able to keep their anger in check. Students who were slow to anger demonstrated more dependability and social maturity. continued
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Do you know the signs and symptoms of gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers typically deny or minimize the problem. They also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. For example, problem gamblers often withdraw from their loved ones, sneak around, and lie about where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to.
While the warning signs of problem gambling can be subtle, there are some red flags that should put you on alert:
Secrecy over money and finances
New desire to control household finances
Overdue or unpaid bills
Unexplained loans or cash advances
Lack of money, despite the same income and expenses
Unusual increase in credit card activity
Asking friends and family for money
Missing jewelry, cash, or valuables
Dwindling savings or assets
Missing bank or credit card statements
Calls or letters from bill collectors
Unexplained cash, especially when there are unpaid bills
Do I have a gambling problem?
You may have a gambling problem if you:
Neglect work or family to gamble
Gamble in secret
Lie about how much you gamble
Feel compelled to keep upping your bets
Feel remorse after gambling
Gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar
Gamble with money you need to pay bills
Steal, borrow, or sell things to get money for gambling
Dream of the "big win" and what it will buy
Gamble to escape worries
Gamble in order to solve financial problems or win back losses
Celebrate by gambling
If you feel that any of these issues apply to you or someone you care about please contact Crescent Hill Counseling at 502-419-1698 for quick, discreet assistance!
While the warning signs of problem gambling can be subtle, there are some red flags that should put you on alert:
Secrecy over money and finances
New desire to control household finances
Overdue or unpaid bills
Unexplained loans or cash advances
Lack of money, despite the same income and expenses
Unusual increase in credit card activity
Asking friends and family for money
Missing jewelry, cash, or valuables
Dwindling savings or assets
Missing bank or credit card statements
Calls or letters from bill collectors
Unexplained cash, especially when there are unpaid bills
Do I have a gambling problem?
You may have a gambling problem if you:
Neglect work or family to gamble
Gamble in secret
Lie about how much you gamble
Feel compelled to keep upping your bets
Feel remorse after gambling
Gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar
Gamble with money you need to pay bills
Steal, borrow, or sell things to get money for gambling
Dream of the "big win" and what it will buy
Gamble to escape worries
Gamble in order to solve financial problems or win back losses
Celebrate by gambling
If you feel that any of these issues apply to you or someone you care about please contact Crescent Hill Counseling at 502-419-1698 for quick, discreet assistance!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
What could Forgiveness do for you??
If we are anything alike, you have a garage or attic or basement full of junk--old clothing that doesn’t fit or that are outdated, boxes of children's toys, papers you'll never need or even look at again. We possess sentimental attachments to things that are just taking up space.Perhaps these things are holding you back, they are not. They are surely weighing you down, if not mentally, perhaps expressively. But unless you have a problem with 'collecting' or being a pack rat, then the stuff in your attic might not be that big a deal.Similar to your attic or garage, your mind stores things for you. You've got your memories and knowledge and emotions, you've got images of the best times in your life and remembrances of the gloomy times.I'm going to show you a way to abandon this junk through the simple act of forgiveness.The point of forgiveness is not to help the other person that you're forgiving (although it probably will). The purpose of forgiveness is not to make you an improved person (although it probably will). And the reason of forgiveness is not to make you right with God (although if you believe that it will, it probably will help).Forgiveness has the potential to take away the obstacles that are holding you back plus stopping you from achieving your dreams. By clearing out the unconscious, you figuratively get rid of a huge chunk of negativity.
This is the law of attraction that has become popular recently but has been around forever. You are what you focus on. It's that easy.When we center on the hard parts, the bitterness and challenges, then all day, every day, we bring hard parts, bitterness and challenges. We're here on earth, I think, to gain knowledge from this school called planet earth that we're cable of manifesting precisely what we want in life.Let's split up our unconscious mind into sections and let's say that we can group together every one of our troubles, our problems, our bitterness, our resentments, all into one part of our unconscious. For sake of argument, let's say we've completed that now.What percentage of your unconscious is being consumed by that psychological trash?If we take all of this anger and bitterness and we give it a value in our unconscious mind... Well like; let's say that there is 5% down inside there someplace, even 1%. How would that concern you? It's like Chinese water torture. It's a trickle, trickle, trickle, pain, pain, pain, anguish, anguish, constant problems dripping, dripping, never stopping. If we could somehow root that out, get rid of it, and as a substitute, focus on our universes, what would our life become?
This is the law of attraction that has become popular recently but has been around forever. You are what you focus on. It's that easy.When we center on the hard parts, the bitterness and challenges, then all day, every day, we bring hard parts, bitterness and challenges. We're here on earth, I think, to gain knowledge from this school called planet earth that we're cable of manifesting precisely what we want in life.Let's split up our unconscious mind into sections and let's say that we can group together every one of our troubles, our problems, our bitterness, our resentments, all into one part of our unconscious. For sake of argument, let's say we've completed that now.What percentage of your unconscious is being consumed by that psychological trash?If we take all of this anger and bitterness and we give it a value in our unconscious mind... Well like; let's say that there is 5% down inside there someplace, even 1%. How would that concern you? It's like Chinese water torture. It's a trickle, trickle, trickle, pain, pain, pain, anguish, anguish, constant problems dripping, dripping, never stopping. If we could somehow root that out, get rid of it, and as a substitute, focus on our universes, what would our life become?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Good Food for Good Mood
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf was on to something: food - and our relationship to it - is our sustenance, our lifeblood. It has the potential to be a source of nourishment and wellbeing or, as is the case for many people, a source of angst and unhappiness.Last month, I wrote about sugar and its impact on our mood, cravings, attention, and energy. I know, based on your notes to me, that many of you resonated with my thoughts, and that many of you struggle with sugar cravings, sugar crashes, and sugar conflicts of your own.This month, I want to extend that conversation to talk in general terms about food and how it affects our biochemistry (mood, cravings, attention, energy, etc. . .). It has become clearer and clearer to me as a therapist and a certified health counselor that everything we eat has a powerful effect on our lives. No, not just our weight (which is what most of us focus on), but on how we feel physically AND emotionally. MORE
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Teens And Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are rampant in our society. The more you understand, the better you can cope yourself or help a friend, family member, or loved one! Please forward to friends and family!
Thanks,
Dr. Alice
Mike Herman
As we were all teenagers at one time, that is if you are twenty years of age or older today, you know that the teenage years are full problems, peer pressure, stress and the desire to fit in. It is not surprising then, with all of the peer pressure and images from the media, as well as the strong desire to fit in, that eating disorders are most common among teenagers. 1. Eating disorders are known to be the result of a poor self image and/or an unhealthy relationship to food. Most people think of eating disorders as something that affects girls and young women who are dieting. The truth is that these disorders have to do with our relationship to food and issues related to body image and self-esteem, and not just our desire to to loss some weight. While most people only think anorexia and bulimia when it comes to eating disorders, there are less well-known eating disorders as well, nocturnal eating, pica and binge eating are also characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In fact, all eating disorders have one common denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship with food that becomes a disruption in a person's life. 2. Eating disorders generally affect young women, although they can affect just about anyone, middle aged women and even men. It is estimated that more than 8 million people in the United States are affected with some kind of eating disorder. While those with disorders come from all social and ethnic backgrounds, studies have suggested that young affluent white women are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. Most disorders first become evident during adolescence and can develop in young children and pre-teens. When it come to men and doctors report eating disorders among men is increasing, it seems to be most common with athletes who want to and/or feel pressure to compete as they are vulnerable to developing a disorder. 3. These disorders can emerge during periods of stress and change. Doctors don't yet fully understand why eating disorders are present in some individuals, and not others. But they do have an understanding about the circumstances that may make some people more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Studies have shown that individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, or who have recently experienced some kind of major life change are much more vulnerable to developing the symptoms of an eating disorder. 4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious health problems. Many teenagers who become preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise do not understand the health risks posed by their actions. These health problems include heart problems, stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may become necessary in more severe cases. 5. All of these can be treated successfully. Now more than ever there is a better understanding of eating disorders, and many treatment options and resources are available for teenagers and their families whose lives have been touched by an eating disorder. Treatment consists of various therapies, including nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed.
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com
If you find yourself or anyone around you suffering from an eating disorder and want to know more about the true fact of eating disorders, click on over to Mike Herman's site www.4HealthConcerns.com/EatingDisorders to get my newsletter and FREE ebook in regards to eating disorders to help you and your loved ones.
Thanks,
Dr. Alice
Mike Herman
As we were all teenagers at one time, that is if you are twenty years of age or older today, you know that the teenage years are full problems, peer pressure, stress and the desire to fit in. It is not surprising then, with all of the peer pressure and images from the media, as well as the strong desire to fit in, that eating disorders are most common among teenagers. 1. Eating disorders are known to be the result of a poor self image and/or an unhealthy relationship to food. Most people think of eating disorders as something that affects girls and young women who are dieting. The truth is that these disorders have to do with our relationship to food and issues related to body image and self-esteem, and not just our desire to to loss some weight. While most people only think anorexia and bulimia when it comes to eating disorders, there are less well-known eating disorders as well, nocturnal eating, pica and binge eating are also characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In fact, all eating disorders have one common denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship with food that becomes a disruption in a person's life. 2. Eating disorders generally affect young women, although they can affect just about anyone, middle aged women and even men. It is estimated that more than 8 million people in the United States are affected with some kind of eating disorder. While those with disorders come from all social and ethnic backgrounds, studies have suggested that young affluent white women are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. Most disorders first become evident during adolescence and can develop in young children and pre-teens. When it come to men and doctors report eating disorders among men is increasing, it seems to be most common with athletes who want to and/or feel pressure to compete as they are vulnerable to developing a disorder. 3. These disorders can emerge during periods of stress and change. Doctors don't yet fully understand why eating disorders are present in some individuals, and not others. But they do have an understanding about the circumstances that may make some people more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Studies have shown that individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, or who have recently experienced some kind of major life change are much more vulnerable to developing the symptoms of an eating disorder. 4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious health problems. Many teenagers who become preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise do not understand the health risks posed by their actions. These health problems include heart problems, stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may become necessary in more severe cases. 5. All of these can be treated successfully. Now more than ever there is a better understanding of eating disorders, and many treatment options and resources are available for teenagers and their families whose lives have been touched by an eating disorder. Treatment consists of various therapies, including nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed.
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com
If you find yourself or anyone around you suffering from an eating disorder and want to know more about the true fact of eating disorders, click on over to Mike Herman's site www.4HealthConcerns.com/EatingDisorders to get my newsletter and FREE ebook in regards to eating disorders to help you and your loved ones.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
5 "don'ts" in a relationship
There are many things that can get wrong or from bad to worse in a relationship... it is depressing how many couples split-up because of stupid reasons. If you have the slightest feeling that your relationship is in jeopardy or if you inquire what went wrong in ex-relationships, take a look at the list below.
There are 5 "don'ts" in a relationship.
1. Betrayal of the partner
Absolutely unforgivable-you have seen couples that break up because of this, even families. It is hard to forgive and forget, broken pieces stay broken, this is life.
2. Being a private eye
If you check on your partner continuously, visit unannounced... he/she will get tired of the relationship. Everybody wants freedom, a private space, friends... Love means trust and respect, it is not funny on scrutiny all the time, do not act as a detective, act as a lover.
3. Lack of emotional support and attention
In a relationship mutual support and attention are essential. We are humans and we crave for being with our loved one, for better and for worse... when it doesn’t happen we feel lonely and rejected. If you have such a problem, deal with it, do not avoid it. Stay close to one another.
4. Too many fights
Let’s face it, in every relationship there are fights. Believe it or not, specialists say they clarify things, but do not dramatize, or raise your voice or offend.
Things clarify themselves if you have patience.
In a relationship, when it comes to fights silence is golden and too many of them ruin what you both have built with love and care.
5. Boredom and lack of spontaneity
Do not let boredom to step in, be creative and spontaneous. Think of common hobbies, activities that make both of you happy.
If love is in the air, every day would be a celebration of your relationship.
Even a ride in the park on rollers can be fun, or going to a movie, exhibition, disco, party.
Before doing anything that can affect your relationship, meditate a bit. Is it worth doing it and ending up alone?
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com
Linda Jones MyLove Agency Dating Service www.myloveagency.com
There are 5 "don'ts" in a relationship.
1. Betrayal of the partner
Absolutely unforgivable-you have seen couples that break up because of this, even families. It is hard to forgive and forget, broken pieces stay broken, this is life.
2. Being a private eye
If you check on your partner continuously, visit unannounced... he/she will get tired of the relationship. Everybody wants freedom, a private space, friends... Love means trust and respect, it is not funny on scrutiny all the time, do not act as a detective, act as a lover.
3. Lack of emotional support and attention
In a relationship mutual support and attention are essential. We are humans and we crave for being with our loved one, for better and for worse... when it doesn’t happen we feel lonely and rejected. If you have such a problem, deal with it, do not avoid it. Stay close to one another.
4. Too many fights
Let’s face it, in every relationship there are fights. Believe it or not, specialists say they clarify things, but do not dramatize, or raise your voice or offend.
Things clarify themselves if you have patience.
In a relationship, when it comes to fights silence is golden and too many of them ruin what you both have built with love and care.
5. Boredom and lack of spontaneity
Do not let boredom to step in, be creative and spontaneous. Think of common hobbies, activities that make both of you happy.
If love is in the air, every day would be a celebration of your relationship.
Even a ride in the park on rollers can be fun, or going to a movie, exhibition, disco, party.
Before doing anything that can affect your relationship, meditate a bit. Is it worth doing it and ending up alone?
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com
Linda Jones MyLove Agency Dating Service www.myloveagency.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
