What do you think?

I'm seeking some feedback/input. I just put up a poll on the right side of this page, under my photo. Could you take a minute to click and post your preference?

I am trying to decide which name for my practice is more appealing to more people and I thought I'd ask you all to vote.

I have some ideas that need "sorting out" so to speak and hope to have more to share soon.

I also will be tackling those questions you submitted-so be sure to check back soon.

If you haven't yet submitted a question, there's still time. Go here for details.

My passion is helping women find peace and contentment
so they may enjoy healthy relationships
and be all that God has created them to be!

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.

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/.

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