How To Keep Stress At Bay This Holiday Season

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It’s that time of year again-the twelfth month of the year. When our thoughts turn to Christmases past and our calendar and to do list often become jam packed. There are cookies to bake, parties to plan and attend, gifts to buy, houses to decorate and so much more to do. Here are some tips for managing stress during December.

Plan Ahead

Take some time to think about what sort of Christmas you would like to have. Imagine that it is January and you a pleased with the way your holiday went. What will have happened? What will you have done? Where will you have gone? Who will you have spent time with? Is there anything you will not have done? Really use your imagination and picture the details of what matters to you. Taking the time to do this will help you to decide what to do and what to let go of this year. Then you can use a calendar to plan your activities like baking, shopping, social events, gift wrapping and so on.

Another area of stress that often comes up this time of year is finances. A sure fire way to add stress to your holiday is to overspend and use credit to buy gifts and other items that you can’t really afford. Plan ahead by making a list, creating a budget that is workable for your family and then stick to it. It’s important to talk about this area with your family and decide together what is workable. It's important to take time to really listen to each person’s point of view and then discuss all of your options. Perhaps you can draw names, rather than buying gifts for everyone in the family. Or maybe gifts can be just for the kids. You could do a cookie or ornament exchange. Set a price limit on the gifts that you will exchange and stick to it. Some families choose not to exchange gifts but simply to spend time together. There are many things you can do for free like drive around and look at lights, go window shopping, cook dinner together, watch classic Christmas movies together, or go caroling. The real meaning of Christmas is not about money and flashy gifts.

Be Realistic

It amazes me how often that we think and believe that because the calendar changed to December that our imperfect family will suddenly become perfect and that everything will be ideal and no one will disagree about anything. If your family is not perfect (and none of them are) don’t expect that to change this month! Relationships that are difficult or tense the rest of the year will continue to be so and perhaps even become a bit more challenging due to stress and spending more time together. Remember that you can create a warm holiday feeling by your attitude and your actions; however you cannot change other people. You must decide what is important to you and focus on doing the right thing. Other people will respond however they are going to respond and that is not your responsibility. Your responsibility is your behavior, your decisions, your actions.

It’s also important to set limits. It’s not realistic to say yes to every event that you may get invited to this month. Or to feel like you have to host the perfect party or celebration. I give you permission to say no to some activities this month. And you’re not allowed to feel guilty for saying no. First and foremost you must focus on your priorities and then go from there. Real life is full of limits and it is important to remember that in order to help keep stress at bay, especially this time of the year.

Take Care of Your Body

This is often the first thing to go by the wayside when the calendar turns to December and I think it’s a big mistake. Movement, activity and exercise are great ways to burn off stress. It’s also important to get enough rest a minimum of 8 hours per night. Our bodies refresh and rejuvenate while we sleep and when we short change ourselves in this department we make life harder than it needs to be. Some studies have shown that people who don’t get enough sleep tend to be heavier and sicker than those who do get their zzz’s.

Get moving. Take a walk. If it’s too cold where you live, you can do this at the mall, the YMCA or a local gym. Take a Tai Chi or Pilate’s class. Gentle, slow moving stretching is good for your muscles and your mood. Park further out from the store when you’re running errands or shopping and walk the extra steps. Our bodies were created to move and often we don’t move them enough. It’s about movement more than it is about exercise. Physical activity is a great stress reliever, plus it helps us to sleep better and improves our mood. So, get moving!

Eat right. This time of year this is a particularly challenging task. I’m not suggesting that you deprive yourself but rather that you are mindful of what you are putting in to your body. Be aware of how caffeine, alcohol and sugar affect you and your mood. I encourage you to do a three day experiment where you write down everything you eat and pay attention to how you feel, both physically and emotionally. You may be surprised to learn that what you put into your body not only affects your physical health but also your mental and emotional well being.

Focus on What Really Matters

Decide what is important to you. Think about what the holidays mean to you. What will make it meaningful to you? It’s important to balance our attention on the true meaning of Christmas rather than on the bright lights and shiny presents. Take some time to reflect on what the holiday means to you, your family and the world at large.

One way to focus on what really matters is to help others. There is nothing like giving or helping someone else to get our focus off of ‘what’s wrong’ with our holiday and to gain some perspective on the blessings and abundance in our lives. You can help others buy buying a gift, serving a meal or working at a homeless shelter, domestic violence safe house or child crisis nursery. You can donate food to a local food bank or buy a gift for a child through the Angel Tree program. You can also adopt a family through your church or community.

Remember that you are responsible for your behavior and actions. As an adult, you get to plan ahead and decide what type of holiday celebration you want. As you give some thought to what really matters to you, you will gain increased confidence in communicating what you want and need to others. This is an important skill for healthy relationships all year long. If you find that you are having difficulty coming up with your priorities, saying no or communicating your needs and wants, then seek support. Find an objective third party to help you sort it out. This could be a friend or co-worker, a member of the clergy or a counselor. Sometimes, all we need is someone objective to help us sort it out so that we can see the situation a bit more clearly.

Remember to maintain your sense of humor during stressful times too. Humor is a great stress reliever and there are many health benefits to laughter. Look for the humor in situations and you will find it. Life and relationships with people are full of opportunities to laugh.

Merry Christmas!



Lena Wright is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor and a Certified Professional Coach. Her passion is helping women be all that God created them to be. She can be reached through her website at http://www.lenawright.com/ where you can obtain a free subscription to her Healthy Communication e-Bulletin.

Giggle Alert

Previous Employment

I work in a personnel office with the government in Washington, DC, reviewing applications for federal employment.

The standard form includes the question, "Why did you leave your previous employment?"

One applicant, a former U.S. Congressman, responded, "The express wish of 116,000 voters."

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month


My mom, Judy, died in 2005 after a long battle with this disease. In her memory, I have decided that I will make a donation to the Wellness Community here in Phoenix. The money will come from my businesses (sale of books, nutritional products, counseling/coaching fees). You can read more about the Wellness Community by visiting http://www.twccaz.org/. I really like their philosophy and they offer a great many services to people impacted by cancer.

Be sure that you are doing your monthly breast exams. Here's a good 'how to guide' http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp. Send this reminder and link to all the women that you care about.

Other simple prevention tips:

Eat more fresh veggies
Eat more fresh fruit
Move more
Drink more water
Cleanse your body of impurities/toxins
Eliminate fast food from your life
Manage your stress levels
Keep your life in balance

Here's to your health!

Lena


Lena Wright
Founder & President, Connections Wellness Center
Licensed Professional Counselor
Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor
Certified Professional Coach

1-800-927-1450
623-297-4756

http://www.connectionswellnesscenter.com/

Are you toxic? Watch the video at drspeakout.com to learn more!


~Integrity~Freedom~Wellness~Family~Passion~Purpose~Personal Excellence~

God Speaks!

God Speaks BillBoards

Some new billboards are getting attention in Cleveland. Some reported seeing one or two messages, but the newspaper listed all of them. Here's a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print or sponsoring organization is included. These are awesome...enjoy.

Let's meet at my house Sunday before the game. -God

C'mon over and bring the kids. -God

What part of "Thou Shalt Not..." didn't you understand? -God

We need to talk. -God

Keep using my name in vain, I'll make rush hour longer. -God

Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage. -God

That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing... I meant it. -God

I love you and you and you and you and... -God

Will the road you're on get you to my place? -God

Follow me. -God

Big bang theory, you've got to be kidding. -God

My way is the highway. -God

Need directions? -God

You think it's hot here? -God

Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. -God

Do you have any idea where you're going? -God

(And my personal favorite...)

Don't make me come down there. -God


Received from Paul Calvert.

The Gift of Journaling

As I write this, I am in Nashville for the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference. (http://www.aacc.net/) This year’s conference theme is No Greater Love. I have attended this conference once before and learned that this is a great opportunity for refreshment and renewal. I will meet new friends and colleagues. I will also reconnect with old friends and with God while participating in training seminars on topics of interest to me that will help me serve my clients better. I will gain required continuing education hours and a renewed focus on why I do what I do. I’m looking forward to the conference starting.

The Opryland Resort (www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/index.cfm) is an amazing place-the setting is serene and so beautiful. There are nine acres of gardens INSIDE! There’s a river running through the property too. My room is comfortable and fully equipped with all that I need including high speed internet access. The spa and fitness center are great too. Everyone I’ve met has been helpful and friendly-southern hospitality is a reality and it is alive and well here in Nashville.

This year, I chose to come in to town a few days before the conference started. In my heart, I knew that a few days of quiet time and relaxation away from home would be good for me. And indeed, it has been, already. Isn’t it amazing that our hearts know what we need. If only we’d stop to listen more often.

My first evening here, I wandered around the resort just looking at everything and noticing the changes made since my last trip here in 2003. I had a great workout at the fitness center and enjoyed window shopping in some of the great shops here.

This morning, I spent some time reading God’s Word. This is something that is important to me because it helps to keep me focused and provides an opportunity for God to speak to me. In addition, I have kept a prayer journal off and on since 2003. This is not something I write in every day, nor is it something that includes all prayers I have prayed. I pray for others and I pray for my own needs. I also record things that I am grateful for.

Today, I took time to re-read my entire prayer journal. The entries are written in my messy handwriting and my heartfelt prayers for issues that were important to me over the past four years brought back a lot of memories, both good and bad. Much has changed in my life and in me over that timeframe. What really brought me to my knees was the long list of answered prayers. I was awestruck and humbled by this list of answered prayers. Not every prayer was answered, nor were all of the answers the answers I prayed for-the way I wanted things to work out-but the prayers were answered nonetheless. God is so kind and merciful and I am so impatient and-well-sometimes, just plain whiny. I imagine a loving parent becoming tired and frustrated with the whining and repeated questions of a pre-schooler. One of the scenes I imagine is that of a road trip, with a tired child in the back seat asking ‘are we there yet?’ over and over. How often I have prayed like that-asking the same thing over and over! Thank goodness God is the perfect parent and that He has ultimate patience and unending love for someone like me!

This experience has reinforced for me the gift of journaling. Keeping a journal is a gift I give myself. It allows me the opportunity to look back and see progress as well as areas where I’m stuck. Sometimes, I get to see how far I’ve come or grown. Other times, I see themes or patterns that I may want to address differently because they keep coming up and may be holding me back. It always brings back memories of people and places-situations in my life from years gone by. Seeing, in black and white, answered prayers is a reminder that God is intimately involved in our lives-He cares about the details. I find it very comforting and reassuring.

I want to give you permission to start journaling. Often, people are under the mistaken impression that there is a right way to journal or some unwritten rule that says you must write in it every day. Nonsense! There is no wrong way to journal. You can write or type. Get a note book or go shopping for a journal that is pretty or represents your personality. If you choose to purchase a journal-you can get one with lined pages or blank pages. You can write or doodle or draw. You can use poetry or songs to express yourself. You can write as if you are writing a letter to a friend. You can write in incomplete sentences with incorrect grammar and spelling. You can make a list.

I keep my prayer journal and I keep another journal in the nightstand next to my bed for those nights when insomnia hits. I’ve found that when I can’t sleep in the middle of the night, pulling out this journal and just writing whatever is on my mind helps me let go of it and fall asleep. I haven’t written in this journal in a very long time, because I rarely suffer from insomnia since changing the way I take care of my physical being-but it’s there just in case.

So again, I’m giving you permission to start journaling-do it in a way that works for you. And if your journaling reveals that you have some issues where you are stuck-by all means, seek a counselor or coach to help you get unstuck. Sometimes, all we need is an outside party to give us some feedback and then we can make the changes we need to make.

Happy journaling!

Lena Wright is the founder and President of Connections Wellness Center and a Certified Professional Coach and a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor. Her passion is helping women find peace and contentment so they may enjoy healthy relationships and be all that God has created them to be. She can be reached through her website at http://www.connectionswellnesscenter.com/.

© 2007 Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to http://www.connectionswellnesscenter.com/.

Giggle Alert!

Lexiograms

1. A bicycle can't stand alone because it is two-tired.
2. What's the definition of a will? It's a dead giveaway.
3. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
4. She had a boyfriend with a wooden leg, but broke it off.
5. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

6. If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.
7. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
8. When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
9. The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.
10. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

11. He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
12. A lot of money is tainted. 'Taint yours and 'taint mine.
13. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
14. He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
15. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

16. When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
17. Those who jump off a Paris bridge are in Seine.
18. When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
19. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
20. Marathon runners with bad footwear suffer the agony of defeat.

Received from FranCMT2.

Motives

I have been thinking about the concept of motives lately. I sometimes enjoy watching crime dramas on television, particularly Law and Order and CSI. On these shows, the detectives are trying to solve a homicide and they always look for a motive or the reason why the criminal might have committed the crime. Three of the definitions of the word motive found at Dictionary.com include:

1) something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing
2) incentive, causing, or tending to cause, motion
3) prompting to action

Basically, motive is the reason behind our behavior, the incentive that prompts us to act. On these television programs the motive for the crime is often greed, rage, jealousy or fear. Motives can be either negative or positive. Sometimes we are motivated by love, caring and compassion to do something thoughtful for another person.

In the movie, Talladega Nights, we are shown several examples of how wrong motives can cost us dearly. Ricky Bobby played by Will Ferrell is a NASCAR racing legend whose motto is “If you’re not first, you’re last” which drives him to compete fiercely and win at any cost at the expense of his relationships with those closest to him. Ricky Bobby’s’ fierce competitiveness and drive to win by taking thrilling risks made him a fan favorite. It is a funny movie with an interesting lesson underneath the humor.

God has something to say about motives. James 4:3 says “And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure.”

And Proverbs 20:27 says “The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.”

Have you ever stopped to think about what your motives are-your reasons for doing the things that you do? God is concerned about the condition of our hearts in all areas of our lives. He knows WHY we’re doing something, even when we sometimes fail to make the connection.

When we truly understand what God wants for us-our growth and the development of the traits of Christ in us-it becomes clear that God would be concerned with our motives-the WHY behind what we do. For example, do you attend church because you ‘should’ or ‘have too’? That is an example of a wrong motive. God could force us to worship Him; He is God, after all. And yet, that is not the sort of relationship he desires with us. He wants us to choose Him and to choose to pursue a relationship with Him.

Parents and teachers sometimes make a choice to control children out of fear by using intimidation, punishment and threats. Sure, children will comply out of fear when you’re around to enforce the consequences-but what about when you’re not there? Wouldn’t it be better to teach kids about motives-about right and wrong so that they can learn to make good choices and control their own behavior? This is called self-regulation and it is a skill that many people are lacking in today’s world. I believe this is the same thing that God wants from us. Not for us do things because we ‘should’ or we ‘ought to’ but because we want to. When we cultivate an attitude of gratitude (start by writing down 5 things you are grateful for each morning and evening and reading your list out loud) and when we recognize exactly what God has done for us then we want to give, we want to serve, we want to help, and we want to be kind.

I encourage you to examine your motives. Not to beat yourself up about all the ways you fall short, but as the basis for learning and growing. If you find that your life is overrun with ‘shoulds’ perhaps you will want to seek some assistance in looking at your motives and making some positive changes in your thinking and your life. Remember, every journey starts with a single step.



Lena Wright is the founder and President of Connections Wellness Center and a Certified Professional Coach and a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor. Her passion is helping women find peace and contentment so they may enjoy healthy relationships and be all that God has created them to be. She can be reached through her website at http://www.connectionswellnesscenter.com/.

© 2007 Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to http://www.connectionswellnesscenter.com/.

Made Me Giggle

Bread Upon the Water

On Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), there is a service called Taslisch (throwing) where sins are symbolically cast away by throwing bread into the water.

Some people have asked what kind of bread they are supposed to throw into the water.
Here are suggestions:

For ordinary sins, use -- White Bread
For exotic sins -- French or Italian bread
For dark sins -- Pumpernickle
For complex sins -- Multi-grain
For truly warped sins -- Pretzels
For sins of indecision -- Waffles
For sins commited in haste -- Matzah
For substance abuse -- Poppy Seed
For commiting arson -- Toast
For being ill-tempered -- Sourdou
For silliness -- Nut bread
For not giving full value -- Short bread
For political chauvinism -- Yankee Doodles
For excessive use of irony -- Rye Bread
For continual bad jokes -- Corn Bread
For hardening our hearts -- Jelly doughnuts

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

Make it a GREAT day!

Lena

www.ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com

Spending time with God

My, this has been a BUSY week! I spent last week traveling-went to Nashville for a conference and this week, I have been super busy playing 'catch up' from the time away. Both at home and in the office....personally and professionally. There is just so much to do!

It's been an interesting week-lots to do, lots of emotional ups and downs. I think part of it is the 'let down' after a great conference. Those things are generally high energy and motivational and inspiring. This one was all those things and more-because it was a Christian counseling conference. So in addition to all the usual stuff-this conference was filled with praise and worship-the spirit of God was very present and very real. There's just something special about worshipping with 7000 people that's hard to put into words. I also treated this trip as a bit of a personal retreat-I took my journal and my Bible and really focused on spending time with God. I spent a lot of time alone, just thinking, writing, praying and reading. It's something that I don't get to do in as much depth as I would like in the 'busy-ness' of every day life. It's unfortunate, in some ways that I have to go to such extremes to get refreshed and renewed. And yet, at the same time, I am so grateful to have opportunities like that.

While I was away, I vowed to make my time with God a priority, even at home in the 'busy-ness'. And sadly, as I look back over this week-I see how much I let it slip by-and I see missed opportunities too. I did make time with God a priority-I did get to a women's Bible study at church that I almost blew off-because I was so busy and so tired. I'm so glad I went-it was refreshing and renewing-and fun. :-) It's funny-ironic, I guess. I get busy, so I make choices and let my time with God fall to the bottom of the to do list; and I feel more tired and irritable. When I make the choice and sometimes the sacrifice that is required-(say like going to a Bible study when I'm tired) even though it takes more time and the easier choice would be to skip it-when I go, and invest the time and energy-I get renewed and recharged. I feel better and am then able to help others more. It's seems like it wouldn't work that way, but I find more often than not, it does.

I'd love to hear from you-about the things that refresh/recharge/renew your energy. How do you nurture yourself? What do you struggle with in these areas?

A friend sent me this video-which really moved me and made me think. It beautifully illustrates part of what I'm talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA Maybe your story is not so dramatic or painful as the one depicted-or maybe it is more so. Either way, it doesn't matter. Jesus is there, pulling for you-no matter what. I am so awed and humbled my the reminder.

Until next time!

Lena

www.ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com

Health Insurance and Counseling

Many people have questions about counseling and health insurance. Because it is a personal decision, I’d like to take a moment to provide you with some information to help you decide. Then you can make an informed decision that is right for you.

DID YOU KNOW that all health insurance companies follow the medical model? This means that insurance companies require clients to be “patients”? What this means is that the practitioner must present a formal medical diagnosis. That diagnosis then determines the nature and duration of services allowable and paid for by the insurance company. These records are permanent and may be accessed by employers, insurance companies, and others: a psychiatric diagnosis, whether accurate or not, becomes a lifelong “fact.” These records are supposed to be kept confidential, however Connections Christian Counseling has no control over what happens to the records once they are sent to the insurance company.

In addition, many of the problems that bring people into counseling do not fit neatly in to the ‘medical model’. For example, if you are having ongoing conflict in your marriage relationship, this may or may not be covered by your insurance. Yet it could be causing a great deal of turmoil, stress, and pain in your life. If it does happen to be covered-the insurance company-not you and your counselor-will determine the number and frequency of sessions. Who would you rather have deciding on the services that you get? Some managed care company representative in an office cubicle probably in another state who does not know you? Or would you prefer that you and your health care professional collaborate on your care and make these decisions together?

What if you are interested in personal growth and challenging yourself to be the best that you can be? What if you want support while you set goals and practice new skills? Or maybe you want some accountability while you work to take your business to the next level or plan a career change? These valuable coaching services are not ‘medical conditions’ and will not be covered by health insurance.

These are just some of the reasons that Connections Christian Counseling does not submit bills to insurance companies. However, some insurance companies may reimburse their members for services with Connections Christian Counseling. It varies depending on the policy exclusions and the contract between your employer and the insurance company. The client is responsible for payment at the time of service. Upon your request, I can give you the paperwork to assist you in seeking reimbursement from your insurance company. However, I cannot guarantee reimbursement because your insurance coverage is a contract primarily between your employer and the insurance company. I recommend that you read the article on my website www.ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com called “Paying for Therapy”-it offers 5 more points to consider so that you can make an informed decision about using health insurance to pay for counseling.

Counseling is a valuable service that has the potential to greatly improve the quality of your life and relationships. By investing in counseling services you maintain control, privacy & flexibility in your health care.


Lena Wright is the founder and President of Connections Wellness Center and a Certified Professional Coach and a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor. Her passion is helping women find peace and contentment so they may enjoy healthy relationships and be all that God has created them to be. She can be reached through her website at www.ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com

Whereabouts Unknown

By Lena Wright

I watched saw a press conference in which an Air Force pilot was listed as ‘Whereabouts Unknown’. Major Troy Gilbert’s plane had gone down in Iraq in November 2006. This press conference took place in the immediate aftermath of the crash and ongoing investigation. It was an emotional press conference-it was clear that the pilot was loved by many and had had a significant impact on the lives of those he interacted with. The press conference was riveting because of the emotional impact of the loss on those speaking. Typically, a press conference is held with an almost robotic stoicism. This one was different-and it caught my attention.

‘Whereabouts Unknown’ is a term used by the military and is defined by TheFreeDictionary.com as:

“A transitory casualty status, applicable only to military personnel, that is used when the responsible commander suspects the member may be a casualty whose absence is involuntary, but does not feel sufficient evidence currently exists to make a definite determination of missing or deceased.”

I wonder how many people are wasting their lives in a metaphorical ‘Whereabouts Unknown’ status. You know who I am talking about. You’ve seen them and interacted with them. Maybe you’ve had the thought or feeling that ‘something is missing’ when you interacted with them. They may be lost in regret about the past or worry about the future. These folks are physically present but emotionally absent. I’m also reminded of Adam Sandler’s character in the movie “Click”. The plot focuses on workaholic Michael Newman who gets a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices. The remote is now powered by its memory, and starts to fast-forward through crucial moments in his life, including arguments, traffic, and promotions at his job. He learns from the eccentric inventor that when he hits fast forward he operates on auto-pilot-being there but not really there-interacting, participating, living. At first this is a huge blessing-allowing the workaholic to accomplish more and spend time with his family. As the story unfolds-we begin to see the foolishness in rushing through life and the impact of the small choices we’re faced with on a daily basis.

Perhaps you're the one that is going through the motions in ‘Whereabouts Unknown’ status. Maybe you’ve let yourself slip in to autopilot mode. Functioning, existing, surviving, but not really thriving and living. What is it going to take to get you to live your life fully present and enjoying each moment that you are given? Life is God’s most precious gift to us-a gift we so often take for granted. The very fact that we wake up alive and breathing is an incredible miracle that we often don’t appreciate. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to shock us out of our dullness.

Unfortunately, Major Gilbert’s status was changed from ‘Whereabouts Unknown’ to deceased. He was laid to rest with full military honors-a patriot’s reward for paying the ultimate price to defend our freedom. What a blessing it is-for this man, and countless others to volunteer to serve each of us in this way. The sacrifices that our military and their families have made are enormous. This tragedy-for our country, for the family and friends of this pilot, husband, son and father serves as a wake up call for each of us to live life on purpose-to the full-taking advantage of every moment, every opportunity to say "I love you" and to spend time with those we love. It is a wake up call to emerge from the 'fog' that has clouded our lives and kept us stuck.

Start to pay attention to all the things and people you have to be grateful for-give thanks for those miracles both big and small. A gratitude journal or a blessing jar is a great idea to help us focus our energies in a positive direction. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or formal. At least once a day, write down (or type) three things, people or situations that you appreciate in your life. Place it in a jar or box, or record them in a journal. If you appreciate or love people in your life, tell them today, right now-while you still can. If you are grateful for situations in your life-give thanks-verbally, out loud and in writing. Cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude’ takes time and effort and has the potential to be life changing. What you look for, you will find. So begin to look for things to be grateful for. Start today.

If you find yourself stuck-unable to emerge from the fog-then by all means, seek help. Often, the best thing we can do for ourselves is seek input and insight from an outside party. This can help us to clarify what we’re feeling, and often times to heal hurts of the past and to take action to move forward. Talk to a clergy person, your best friend, a coach, a counselor-a family member who has absolutely no agenda but your happiness. Take action to change your life; remember; life IS made up of the small stuff.


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An Arizona based Licensed Professional Counselor; Lena Wright is the founder and President of Connections Wellness Center, a gifted teacher and speaker and the author of numerous articles. Lena is also a Certified Professional Coach and a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor. Her passion is helping women find peace and contentment so they may enjoy healthy relationships and be all that God has created them to be. She can be reached at http://www.connectionswellnesscenter.com/ or 623-297-4756.

© 2007 Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to www.ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com.
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Welcome

Image via Wikipedia

Hello there!

Welcome to The Wright Report-Healthy Living tips, Fun Ideas and Random Thoughts from Lena Wright-Counselor & Coach.

I'm new to blogging-so bear with me while I figure it out-if you stick around you'll be rewarded with interesting thoughts, comments on things I've read, an occassional recipe and more.

I'll look forward to chatting.

Make it a GREAT day!

Lena

www.CleanseYourMindAndBody.com
www.ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com