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.


*************************************************************************************
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.
***************************************************************************************