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Archive for the 'process' Tag
Gratitude – Memories of the Heart 1 comment
"Baby Steps" – Self-Esteem (Re-Post) 5 comments
"Baby Steps" a Lesson in Self-Esteem
After some recent interactions I feel that this is a good time to revisit this concept. It is such a struggle for so many. I actually heard someone say "I don't feel worthy of getting better." How much clearer can this epidemic be expressed?
I Hope and pray that your are encouraged and inspired to fight the good fight and take those first challenging "Baby Steps" of reclaiming your self-esteem.
As always, your comments and feedback are welcome and ENCOURAGED
One Breath, One Step, One Day at a Time!
Self-Esteem is probably one of the most important yet difficult issues faced by any human being whether you are challenged with a mental illness or substance abuse or not. This is even truer for those that are traveling along this journey of Recovery battling these issues.
It has been my experience that Self-Esteem is so difficult for some of us that we avoid even talking about the issue completely, including ways to work to improve it. I believe that we do this because we are fully aware of the minimal amount of esteem that we have for ourselves. This low-self-esteem is a great obstacle in our recovery.
We will often sabotage our potential and possibility of success, by not fully investing ourselves and thus not giving our very best effort. Why? We do this because we are "Sure" that we are going to fail again. If we are honest with ourselves, then we often unconsciously and at times consciously choose to fail rather than succeed. I believe that we do so for a couple of different reasons.
1. Though it is painful, failure is actually comfortable and familiar. Though it hurts, we know where we are and what is going to happen next.
It is sad but true but, many of us, despite the pain and suffering we will often choose to remain in a state dysfunction out of comfort and familiarity. On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to succeed, then there is a whole new world of unknowns that we must navigate. Once we start experiencing even the smallest of victories, then we are faced with all new expectations of success placed on us by ourselves and by others. Here again, we had rather fail now rather than fail later and let ourselves or more importantly (to us at the time) someone else.
2. Through our past and experiences, we have grown to believe, "I don't deserve to be successful and happy"
For many of us we initially heard the negative messages from others, parents, teachers, others kids at school, etc. Messages like: "You're good for nothing", "You'll never amount to anything", "I don't even know why you try", " All you are is a screw-up". These "tapes" have played in our heads for so long that we grow to believe that we really are "worthless" and do not deserve to have anything good happen in our lives. When something does happen to our benefit, we attribute it to "luck" or to the actions to someone else and refuse to accept any personal recognition or satisfaction for the effort which we put forth in order to reach that point of success, no matter how great or how small.
3. We have developed a since of learned helplessness.
Similarly, we grow to accept and take on these same negative messages and thus believe that we truly are not capable of succeeding. Therefore, when faced with an opportunity for success, we either consciously or unconsciously sabotage it, insuring that we fail. There by strengthening our belief in our helplessness. I believe that this is where the concept of the "self-fulfilling prophecy" comes in.
A self-fulfilling prophecy is at the beginning, a false belief about a situation which evokes a new behavior which makes the original false conception come 'true'. Thus the individual will cite the actual course of events as proof that he/she was right from the very beginning
Much of what I have shared thus for is not new to any of you, in fact my guess is that as many of you have read, you have said to yourself, "Oh, that is why I do that". Well now that we have a little bit of an idea, of how we got to where we are, and why we have stayed here, lets look at some ways to get moving in the right direction.
Most, if not all of us, have been hindered at least to some degree by before mentioned learned helplessness. There is one good thing about learned helplessness… it is LEARNED. If it is learned, then it can be unlearned and something new, different, better can be learned in its place. We can learn "hopefulness". Hopefulness essentially is the opposite of helplessness.
Hopefulness is "Believing, despite what I see in my circumstances, I am capable and worthy of being successful."
Of course, getting to that point is much easier said than done. Many of us have been hopeless and helpless for so long, we struggle with even the possibility of hope.
Self-Esteem has to be build from the ground up and learning to walking in it really is a step by step process. Let me borrow from a life experience and lesson that we have ALL learned from.
When a child learns to walk, he/she does not turn 10-months old and just start walking independently. There are MANY smaller steps that have occurred over the months leading up to day. He/she rolled over, scooted, crawled, pulled up to stand, etc. He/she took one "baby step" after another until he/she got to the point of taking those first steps. Even then, once he/she starts walking, there are going to be falls, bumps, and bruises. Does the child give up? NO. He/she cries for a bit, but then gets up and tries again. Slowly but surely, he/she gets better and better, more stable, and ultimately more and more confident.
We must translate these same "baby steps" into our recovery. As we start out, we slowly put one foot in front of the other, a little wobbly at first and reaching out and relying on our support systems to a degree. We begin with simple say day to day challenges: getting out of bed, taking a shower, eating, going to support groups or meetings. If faced with more difficult decisions we seek counsel from among our peers and support. As we grow more confident and stable in making these simple day to day decisions and solving problems, we gradually start taking on more difficult ones. Again, we are becoming more and more confident in the process. Just as with the child learning to walk, we are learning that there is hope, we can be successful and it really is not as scary a place as we thought that it was. We have learned to be hopeful, seeing ourselves and our circumstances from a optimistic perspective, seeing the good that our lives can be and how we can be an asset to those around us.
I want to leave you with a few practical exercises to help as you begin "crawling" in your self-esteem:
- List 5 positive things that other people have said about you.
- List 5 positive things about yourself.(Attributes or accomplishments)
- Share a compliment with 5 other people.
- Do something unrepentantly kind for someone that you perceive to be "worse off" than you.
As you complete each "step" take out a pen and journal about how completing the activity made you feel. Take note to how you feel about your self before and after each activity.
"We have to walk before we can run!"
Old things are Passed Away 2 comments
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, allthings have become new.
When we come into faith in Christ we become a NEW person. Christ took ALL of our past, our sin, our pain on the cross and when he was in the grave he left it there. When we accept Him as our Savior and make Him LORD then he gives us His Spirit. There is no darkness in Him so he begins the work of shining the light if TRUTH into every closet and corner of our lives healing and setting us free from all of our hurts and hang-ups. This process is not a painless one. Sometimes we realize for what ever reason that we do not want to let go of a particular hurt or habit because it has comforted us for a long time. But I encourage to consider the alternative. When we choose to abandon these things, what does He do? He blesses us with His healing and the "Peace that passes ALL understanding"
Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Two Gates – One Choice 2 comments
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it. (CEV)
This passage is set in the midst of Jesus great 'Sermon on the Mount" and obviously gives us direction regarding the choices and direction of our lives. It is also a very clear picture of our journey in recovery. The only difference is that everyday we are faced with that same decision over and over and over again. I once said, "Each step in recovery is one step further away from where/who you were and one closer to who you really are, and where you want to be!" Despite that truth, everyday and at times throughout the day, the "Wide Gate" continually offers itself for us to enter in. Thus AA has slogans like:"One day at a time" and "Do the next right thing". They are all about recognition of this precise challenge.
That being said, I personally began using a new closing in my correspondence, "One Breath, one Step, one Day at a time." Ever moment of everyday we are faced with situations and decisions, some so seemingly small that we react without giving them a second thought, others are far more difficult and require more processing. The scary part is, the "small" thoughtless decisions have just as much potential for changing our lives for the positive or negative as the "bigger" and more difficult ones.
Let me share with you a brief example: I was running late to work after lunch one day and focused on getting back as quickly as possible. Because I was in a hurry, I quick
ly decided to accelerate through a red light that had just turned from yellow. Because I was not paying attention, I did not see the one-ton Pick-up that had just exited the interstate and he "t-boned" my front end spinning me 270 degrees, and ultimately totaling my vehicle. Luckily I nor the other driver were seriously injured. That one thoughtless decision could have not only altered, but ended my life.
So as the author and poet, Robert Frost said,"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference." From the Road Less Traveled"
So how do I go about making sure that I am taking the right path. One clear indicator is that if you are surrounded by others that all seem to be moving through life as fast or faster than you are, then you are probably not on the right path. Where as when you feel like you are alone and struggling just to take the next step, then you are probably in just the right place. The good news that we are not alone on this journey. We are not left to our own devices and wisdom alone as we travel. First and foremost we have our "Higher Power". I refer to Him as God, the Heavenly Father; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has provided us with His written and infallible Word and His Spirit He has placed within those that believe. His word on more than one occasion provides instructions for when we do not know "what the next right thing" is.
Matthew 7:7-11"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
When we find ourselves at a crossroads where it is difficult to determine, which path is not just the "right" one, but the "God' one, all we have to do is ASK!
Even then, if you are still unsure there give you a few simple suggestions:
- Love God with EVERYTHING that you have. (Matthew 22:36-39)
- Love others and treat them how you would want to be treated.
- Examine your actions and thoughts and test them against the "Fruit of the Spirit" – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:21-23)
I can guarantee one thing, at least at the beginning, the "narrow road" will NOT any easy one. But as we overcome one obstacle after another, we get stronger and more confident and the trials slowly do not seem as difficult to manage and overcome. Eventually, sooner than later, if we keep up doing the work, we find ourselves no longer "making mountains out of mole hills" rather we begin to make "molehills out of Mountains"
Rather than mumbling, grumbling and complaining about our situations, let us do as a before mentioned passage of scriptures recommend and
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
Have you noticed that having a bad attitude does not help the situation get any better, however, when we keep a positive attitude, we things just seem to "be" better. This scripture and thought reminds me of a comment that I recently saw posted by several friends on Facebook, with some slight wording changes it is:
"I am strong because I know my weaknesses, I am alive because I am a fighter, I am wise because I have been foolish, and I can laugh because I have known sadness. I am proud and strong. I made it through the storm and learned to dance in the rain!'
We grow grow stronger and wiser through the trials and hardships. Let me use an analogy: You can't sharpen a knife by running the blade under water. You must have some kind of sharpening tool with a rough surface which the blade is rubbed against. Rubbing the surface of the blade against the rough surface smooths, straightens and polishes the edge of the blade, sharpening it.
Trials and "storms" are the tools that develop our character, smoothing out our weaknesses and polishing our strengths. When we take the Wide and easy road through life with out these trials we develop no character of our own and never truly define who we are as a person.
So let us be grateful for the potholes, treacherous cliffs (some of which we have fallen off of), and thorn patches because these are the very experiences that have molded us into the strong and capable people that we are today. I know many of you are look at yourself and you do not see strong and capable. I challenge yo to reconsider that perspective of yourself. If you were not strong and capable, where would you be today? One thing I am sure of, it is not where you are!
So, no matter how hard the path seems right now, I urge to wake up every morning and say the following affirmation out loud to yourself:
" Today is a new day; I choose to be grateful for all that I have and to follow the narrow road that leads to peace and contentment. I know each step may be difficult, but I will approach each trial confidently, knowing that as I persevere I am become wiser, stronger and ultimately happier!"
GUEST POST – Not. My Kid. Kelli's Story: 2 comments
Not My Kid – Kelli's Story:
Advice for Desperate Parents about your Child's Addiction, from a Former Homecoming Queen Turned Drug Addict
By: Kelli Athas / Personal Interventionist, Intercept Interventions
High school homecoming queen. Cheerleader. I was beautiful, bright-eyed, popular, and had every advantage. I came from a good, solid family who loved me; I had friends I loved being with, and a future that shined bright with opportunity. Then I made a choice that changed my life forever.
I am a recovering drug addict.
I have walked the streets with prostitutes. I have eaten table scraps. I lived the nightmare you fear for your child. I have done things to get high that I am deeply, deeply ashamed of…I understand desperation. I have been to hell, and by an unfathomable grace I am alive and healthy today.
Your child is a drug addict. You are in a desperate place right now; I understand. I have breathed inside your son or your daughter's skin. I have been consumed, eaten alive, with a force that was a thousand times greater than me…a force that is right now consuming your child's body, heart, mind, and soul. Inside every hour of every day I was addicted to drugs, my mother and my family tried to help me; they hoped, cried, prayed and lived a frantic existence of worry and fear. If you are the parent of an addict you likely feel just as out of control as the addict you so desperately want to help. You want to cure your baby. Unfortunately you cannot cure this person you love.
Perhaps accepting the fact that there is no cure, no quick fix that will make everything go back to your "normal" family life is the first step toward strength and clarity for you. There is an overabundance of well-intentioned (and many non-well-intentioned) people advertising quick methods that will change your loved one's life, make them get off drugs and become whole again. The reality is there is no one that can cure drug addiction. An addict must first face up to their addiction and admit they need help. They will need to find a support group best fits their needs, and stick with it. Recovery is a journey not a destination. The insanity and chaos that is imbued in addiction toys with emotions, and feelings become erratic and unpredictable. This is one of the reasons it is vitally important to seek an objective point of view from someone who's been in an addict's shoes, in their skin, someone you trust to give you and your family hope and guidance.
I am still so saddened when I remember the pure exhaustion and desperation on my mother's face when she would look at me during my struggle. She wanted so much for me to overcome this disease, but it would be a long road to recovery for me. I've been in treatment several times. I got out of my first rehab in 1996 and my mom thought the nightmare was over and life would go back to normal. No one explained this is a lifelong journey, a battle for me and for her. The greatest lesson I learned in my first stint in rehab was that I needed to hide my addiction better. I never thought of myself like the others in rehab; they were failures, they were low. Some whored their bodies to get money to buy drugs, others stole from their parents and kind-hearted friends. I was nothing like this. But after leaving the recovery program and getting back to my toxic patterns, I realized in the blink of an eye that I was lying to myself – I was exactly like them.
Addiction manifests itself in many ways. Manipulation and deception are huge indicators of trouble to come. Parents be vigilant – teens know how to manipulate. In my senior year of high school I was voted "Miss Smooth Talker"…and I considered this an accomplishment. The title should've been "Miss Manipulator" because that's exactly what I had become. I thought "just one time for fun" would be just one time for fun – but instead it kick-started an all-consuming lust to chase that first high. It's an indisputable fact that a high rate of teens begin their alcohol & drug use at this pivotal age in their life, as a parent it is an excruciatingly frightening scenario. No one can predict it and no one knows what they'll do unless they're in it themselves. It's common to want to give your child the benefit of the doubt. Praying it's only a phase, & for many it may be just that. But if your child has been experimenting and because of it they receive some adverse consequences, such as being suspended from school and they continue to use, that is when serious action should be to be taken. If you don't seek help your taking the risk that they will fall into the vicious cycle of addiction.
Educating families & kids about addiction is not easy. My advice to you: get in their face. Ask them the uncomfortable questions, and if they try to blow you off, if they try to manipulate you, do not budge. If you're not talking to your kids about drugs, someone will. Find out who their friends are. Find out where they hang out, what they do after-school. Protect them when they don't know enough to protect themselves.
The social stigma of "not my child, they're smarter than that" is not enough and will not help you help them. If your son or daughter has an addiction problem my advice to you is dig deep for strength, draw it from your love for them, and walk beside them through their journey toward recovery without expectation and without judgment. Be their parent, their cheerleader and the person they can trust most in the world. And no matter how dark it gets and how much they struggle to run away from you, never let them go!
Kelli Athas is a certified national drug and alcohol interventionist. She and her husband Nick Athas are the founders of Intercept Interventions, a program that helps families through the intervention process. Kelli is a highly sought after drug and alcohol recovery expert and works with courts, child protection services' case managers and school administrators to mentor teens struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
Man in the Mirror 1 comment
We all have someone or something that we want to change. We have tried EVERYTHING that we can think of: ignoring, nagging, yelling punishment, etc. However nothing changes!
We are guilty as charged. It may be a spouse, parent, child, friend, co-worker, but we have all done this at sometime or another.
I want us to spend a little bit of time thinking about this idea of "Changing others".
I have a simple question, which I believe will actually set the tone for this piece:
"Can we change the behaviors of another person?"
Ultimately, there is only one answer, and we are not going to like the answer. The answer is:"NO!"
That is not to say that our reactions and responses have no effect on the behaviors of others. We have seen that, all too many times. Let me share a brief example:
An adolescent male is hanging out with a group of peers who are partying, drinking and using other drugs. Mom and Dad have grounded him, taken away his car, his phone, and yelled, but nothing. In fact, the more that they hound him or tried to restrict him, the more intent he is to do exactly what they do not want him to do.
Are the mom and dad impacting the son's behavior? Is it the kind of change that they are trying to achieve?
I want to challenge the very core of how we have tried to change the behaviors of others. We all remember "positive reinforcement" "rewards" "punishment", "extinction", etc. I readily acknowledge that used appropriately these techniques do often work, but at what cost? More often than not, either we are the "problematic" individual, end up feeling like we want to pull our hair out. It can put a significant strain on our relationships.
What I recommend is a simple change in approach and perspective. We need to stop worrying so much about what "everyone else" is doing or not doing, exerting a lot of energy and time in to thinking about what we do not have, and how "bad" our problems are.We need to focus on our strengths and recognize the good that we have in our lives. We need to start to concentrate on our own feelings, thoughts and behavior. We start doing those things that help us to feel better and to maybe even feel "happy".
Quoting a great philosopher of modern time:
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change Michael Jackson from "Man in the Mirror
ANY change that we want to make in our world must start with changing the person that is within.
Another well known inspirational and spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi said it this way: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
NO, I am not one of those "New Age", "Power of Positive Thinking", "Law of Attraction" promoter, but I do believe that there is something to be said for simply being more optimistic and looking for the positives in the world, in one simple word, having "Hope".
Most of us need to look no further than within our own homes, and some just have to look within to see how little hope there is in our world today.
I may not know your story, but I have probably heard one similar, and understand why for many Hope is difficult concept to believe in, That being said, let me share another quote by another man whose wisdom I have grown to greatly respect.
"We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that some people act in certain ways. The only thing we can change is our attitude and response to our envirnoment. "
Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll
There are no "mulligans" or "do overs" in life. Whatever the past has dealt to us, it can't be changed. However, as I have recently said in other articles, we can let go of it and move on. What I can change is how cope with the issues and trials in my current environment. Each time I choose to respond out of hope I am being changed from the inside out and hope is growing stronger within me. As we connect with that hope and start acting on it, we will be changed. When others start seeing the changes in us: in our attitude, in our response and reactions, and simply in our day to day behavior.They too will begin to ve more positive and hopeful. Hope is contagious!
I once said,"Hope is the flame of a candle flickering in the night, the only way to penetrate the darkness is to share its flame with another. In sharing it looses nothing, but gain clearer vision."
So for all those colorful words, what does that mean? In short, it means "sharing the hope that we have does not cost us anything, we loose nothing, but we make the world around us, our world a better place for others and for ourselves as well."
As has been said, most people react to attempts to "change" them rather negatively. Each one of us is guilty of this very thing. How many times, when you were being "corrected", did you think to yourself, "Who does he think that he is?"? It is probably more that we are willing to admit. However,when treated with love, dignity and respect, we are more likely to respond positively. One of my favorite quotes, which I have tried to live by is:
People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. John Maxwell
We must show that we care about the person as an individual first. They must know that we love and support them despite their faults.
Here again we have all been there. When we are constantly berated and told that we are "good for nothing" or "never do anything right" we begin to believe it, and eventulaly develop poor self-esteem and accept hat we are "unloveable" and/or "unacceptable". So eventually we give up and stop trying. However, if at some point there were someone, ANYone to show us that the cared despite our "issues" and poor choices, we would catch just a seed of hope.
Another VERY wise man discussed changing ourselves before others like this:
3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Jesus) Matthew 7:3-5
Basically what is He saying? Worry first about taking care of your own stuff and change the person wihtin before you start trying to fix others.
I believe that if and when we change the "Man in the Miirror" and thus change our perspective and atitude about our world, we will find a whole lot fewer things that still need changing. The situatiojns that still need attention will respond more positively, if we approach it differently.
In closing I share one other passsage of scripture:
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25(NIV)
Now I am not comparing my words to those in the Scriptures. I simply remind us all of where TRUE change comes from. When we follow THE WORD and the teaching of the greatest of all Teachers then we find the joy, peace and life that we are ALL seeking.
So my friends, I challenge to take a deep look into the mirror and ask yourself, "Am I happy and content with the person looking back at me?" If not, then "Make A Change"
Trauma 3 comments
PREFACE: Please be aware that some may find this article triggering. Read with caution and PLEASE stop reading and seek out support at any point that it becomes overwhelming. It WILL be emotion inducing and some what challenging. However, I believe that you will be glad that you did so.
This article is definitely more enlightening, but I do hope that by the end you are encouraged, inspired, instilled with hope and most importantly EMPOWERED to believe in yourself and the strength that resides within.
YOU are NOT a VICTIM! YOU are NOT a SURVIVOR!
There can be absolutely no denying the impact that trauma has on mental illness and substance abuse. In fact, I would guess that a significant number of readers of this very article, have been touched by some kind of trauma or another. In fact, I would be bold enough to day, that if you personally have not been touched by trauma, every one of us has some one close to us that has.
Well, let's start with a simple definition of trauma:
- A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident.
- An emotional wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis.
- An event or situation that causes great distress and disruption.
- Extreme stress that overwhelms a person's ability to cope.
Trauma is also defined by DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as:
an event in which a person experiences, witnesses, or is confronted with actual or threatened death or serious injury or threat to physical integrity of oneself or others
Trauma can be the result of experiences that are private in nature such as:
Trauma can also be the result of experiences that are more public in nature such as:
That being said we have ALL experienced some kind of trauma or another. However, it is the personal/private trauma that we think of most and typically has the most psychological effect.
A Few Facts about Trauma
In mental health and substance abuse service settings
- As many as 80% of men and women in psychiatric hospitals have experienced physical or sexual abuse, most of them as children.
- The majority of adults diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (81%)or Dissociative Identity Disorder (90%) were abused as children.
- Up to two-thirds of both men and women in substance abuse treatment report childhood abuse or neglect.
- Nearly 90% of alcoholic women were sexually abused as children or suffered severe violence at the hands of a parent.
In childhood and adolescence
- 82% of young people in inpatient and residential treatment programs have histories of trauma.
- Violence is a significant causal factor in 10-25% of all developmental disabilities.
In the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems
- 80% of women in prison and jail have been victims of sexual and physical abuse.
- In one study, 92% of incarcerated girls reported sexual, physical or severe emotional abuse.
- Boys who experience or witness violence are 1,000 times more likely to commit violence than those who do not.
From The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma, 2004, compiled by Ann Jennings, PhD.
Trauma, especially when left untreated can have a severe and negative impact on a person's physical and emotional well-being. Trauma has been linked to…
OK, enough of the textbook info. What about where the rubber hits the road. In the lives of REAL people not numbers and statistics. The truth is, traumatic experiences can literally be devastating! A single experience can be disturbing enough on the functioning of an adult, how more injurious is repeated or multiple traumas to the psyche of a child. This is my personal theory, not supported by any research that I know of:
"Trauma is the number one leading cause of poor self-esteem."
It reaches in to the deepest places of the individual psyche, pulls it out, rips it to pieces, stomps on it and then hands it back. All that is left is mess and the individually is usually unable to even recognize her/him-self after the fact. All one is left with is pain, anger, fear, and self-doubt. At this point it feels like there is absolutely no hope at all.
My friends, look around, this sounds paradoxical, but if you are at the bottom, then that is a GOOD thing.
It is a good thing, because if you are at the bottom then there is only one direction to go and that is UP!
My personal "traumatic" experiences are rather minimal, but I have known and helped many through very intense and overwhelming experiences. I do NOT claim to be a trauma expert, but want to offer some encouragement and insights for helping those that have these experiences to fully overcome them; even it is a "baby step" at a time.
So, where to begin? The first step and most important step is recognizing that you do not have to be a "victim" of the trauma in your past. Simply having survived and come out of it at least somewhat functional, you have proven the strength of your character. Despite how powerless you feel now, you are stronger than you believe at this point in time.
YOU are NOT a VICTIM! YOU are NOT a SURVIVOR!
I once heard it said something like this: "The mark of an individual is not what he/she has accomplished, who he/she was in the community, how much money he/she made, but what adversity had he/she overcame!
Let me say it a little differently: "Your past has shaped your view of yourself and the world around, but it does not define who you are now, or your destiny.
The first and hardest part of coping with trauma is separating ourselves from it! We must find a way to start rebuilding our "self" from the inside out. Here are a few practical steps from my article on self-esteem. (Click the link to open the article – will not close this one).
- List 5 positive things that other people have said about you.
- List 5 positive things about yourself.(Attributes or accomplishments)
- Share a compliment with 5 other people.
- Do something unrepentantly kind for someone that you perceive to be "worse off" than you.
As you complete each "step" take out a pen and journal about how completing the activity made you feel. Take note to how you feel about your self before and after each activity.
Next and likely just as difficult and I know more painful…. We MUST get in touch with the depths of the emotions associated with our traumatic experiences.
Do NOT try this at home!
Do NOT attempt to do this ALONE!
As long as we continue to hide from, cover-up, stuff and self-medicate the feelings associated with our trauma, we will continue to suffer just like we were in the midst of the event over and over again. It is like a never ending flashback of pain and suffering. However, when we face them head and push our way through them, yes it is going to be VERY painful, and we want to quit and give-up. We say to ourselves and even to those around us, "It's not worth it". But hang in there. The pain is severe, but if you will endure, then you can break the power and control that those strong emotions have had on you leading to ongoing suffering. Now is the time to be totally honest with yourself and the PROFESSIONAL that is helping you. There is no such thing as wrong or inappropriate emotions. Every feeling that you feel related to your experiences is valid and need to be expressed, processed and released!
You will NEVER forget, but with time and work, those memories will not be painful and debilitating. You are on a long and treacherous journey, much like climbing a steep mountain with nothing but a cliff on one side and falling rocks on the other. But if you can hang on and keep pushing yourself, when you get to the top, the view is worth it. When you finally start feeling like you are getting "ahead" of your past, you will simply be amazed of how STRONG you will feel. The beauty and confidence that have been hidden by pain and fear.
Be patient with yourself, you did to get to this point in your life overnight and unfortunately overcoming it does not happen quickly nor easily either. But, celebrate and reward yourself for small victories and accomplishments along the way. Every obstacle that is overcome, makes you stronger and more prepared to overcome the next. Soon, instead of "making mountains out of mole hills", you will be "making mole hills out of mountains!"
In closing let me close with one final recommendation
Each day wake up, believe and strive to demonstrate this simple affirmation:
"I and I alone choose my destiny, I control whether I am happy or sad. I am responsible for me and me alone. I choose to live MY life; I choose to write my own story!"
We have to LIVE in the present looking forward with hope for the future. I urge you my friends star LIVING and take your life and destiny back from the traumatic events and perpetrators that have haunted you for TOO LONG!
Your past may have set you going down a certain path, but you are still the one in the driver's seat!
The scars of yesterday are the badge of honor and strength of today and the proof of potential for tomorrow.


text: Homozygosity is a commonly used summary of allele-frequencydistributions at polymorphic loci. Because high-frequency allelescontribute disproportionately to the homozygosity of a locus,it often occurs that most homozygotes are homozygous for themost frequent allele. To assess the relationship between homozygosityand the highest allele frequency at a locus, for a given homozygosityvalue, we determine the lower and upper bounds on the frequencyof the most frequent allele. These bounds suggest tight constraintson the frequency of the most frequent allele as a function ofhomozygosity, differing by at most and having an average difference of – 2/18 0.1184. The close connection between homozygosityand the frequency of the most frequent allele—which weillustrate using allele frequencies from human populations—hasthe consequence that when one of these two quantities is known,considerable information is available about the other quantity.This relationship also explains the similar performance of statisticaltests of population-genetic models that rely on homozygosityand those that rely on the frequency of the most frequent allele,and it provides a basis for understanding the utility of extendedhomozygosity statistics in identifying haplotypes that havebeen elevated to high frequency as a result of positive selection.

subset: commoncrawl


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June 25, 2013
|This week's hike was on the Bartram Trail in NC. We hiked to the summit of Scaly Mountain and we also did the side trail to Hickory Knut Gap.
HIKERS - Phil Brownrigg, Stephen Gales, Bill Hunt, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle.
TRAIL INFO. - Always a beautiful hike with great mountain views from the massive rock faces of Scaly Mountain. Native Azaleas and Rhododendrons are spectacular this time of year. The side trail to Hickory Knut Gap is also a nice walk to add to the hike. From Osage Mt. Vista to the summit is a climb of 1,000+ feet.
Total hiking distance today - Approximately 5.6 miles with lots of elevation gain. We rate it the difficulty as moderately strenuous.
Directions: Osage Mt. Vista is 5.7 miles west of Highlands on NC Hwy. 106. Or from Dillard, GA turn right on GA 246 which becomes NC 106 and drive approx. 9 miles to Osage Overlook on the right.
Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and humid with temperatures ranging from 69 to 76 degrees F.
Birds Identified: Dark Eyed Junco, Pileated Woodpecker, Robin, Red Eyed Vireo, Cardinal, Eastern Towhee, Hooded Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Tufted Titmouse, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Worm Eating Warbler, Ovenbird.
Flowers Identified: Asiatic Flower, Rattlesnake Weed, Venus Looking Glass, Fire Pink, Indian Pipes, Mountain Hydrangea, Tall Bluet, Galax, Whorled Loosestrife, Cow Wheat, Mountain Laurel, Indian Physic, Flame Azalea, Spiderwort, Meadow Rue, Barren Strawberry, Hawk Weed, Bluet, Saxifrage, Sweet Azalea, Milkweed, Solomon Seal, Fly Poison, Blackberry, Clover, Daisy, Oxeye Daisy, Crown Vetch
scroll down for photos and video from today.......
The starting point for today's hike.
Nice view from Osage Mt. Vista!
The Flame Azaleas were blooming beautifully!
At the 1.5 mile mark we arrive at the trail junction with the Hickory Knut Gap access trail.
It is always amazing when we see fairly large trees growing on top of huge rock boulders!
Sweet Azalea (Rhododendron aborescens).
As we climb higher up Scaly Mt. the trail turns into solid rock.
Mountain Laurel was very abundant.
As we get closer to the summit, we get nice views (Rabun Bald).!
Taking a break with our trail dog "Cotton".
Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia).
We enjoy the views at the summit of Scaly Mountain!
The Hickory Knut Gap Trail passes through a nice Rhododendron tunnel.
The OFHC gang for today's hike - (l-r) Phil Brownrigg, Geri Whitaker, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle, Greta Driggers, "Cotton" and Stephen Gales, Jim Driggers, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Bill Hunt and Tony Presley.
click below for more photos!
|Scaly Mountain - Bartram Trail 6-25-13
to Hike Reports OR to Tony's Hiking Page.


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Discussion in 'Android Devices' started by bad1550, Aug 7, 2011.
How do I remove Photon Battery cover?
Just picked up phone today and it shut down.
On the bottom of the phone there is a small area for you so slide your fingernail in and carefully pry upwards. I had to do this yesterday as I snagged a 16g sd card


text:
A Brief History of Data Architecture: Shifting Paradigms
By Keith D. Foote as published in Dataversity at http://www.dataversity.net/brief-history-data-architecture-shifting-paradigms/
"Reltio provides a service. They have created a Cloud Management platform, and provide the tools and services needed to accomplish to process Big Data. They furnish researchers, merge Big Data from multiple sources with Master Data Management (MDM), and develop unified objectives. Reltio's systems support a variety of industries, including retail, life sciences, entertainment, healthcare, and the government."
"Data Architecture has changed completely since its early days, and likely due to newer trends such as the Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Microservices, Advanced Analytics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, and emergent technologies like Blockchain will continue to alter even more far into the future."
Read the full article here.


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In the misty distance over the rock landscape, I gaze far and wide for my dog. Statues and mist is all I see over the highrise, so its quite hard. A quick glance is all I need to find that massive rottweiler. "There!" I think to myself. Seeing him out of the corner of my eye, I chase after him towards the statues, but couldn't succeed. Uncatchable I stop in the middle of a circle. Standing in this circle, I feel shivers down my spine. Nerves twitching. This was definitely the the scariest and weirdest feeling I've ever had.
Junior Christmas Carnival
4 weeks ago


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This Body Solid Treadmill/Elliptical Floor Mat works for both treadmills and elliptical machines under 78 inches in length.
This protective mat is made with a durable PVC material and helps protect floors from perspiration and mechanical debris.
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To go to the market and purchase things has become wastage of time Alex Sandro Brazil Jersey , labor and money, when you have the option to shop from thrifty nickel or online flea market. Here is a quick overview of how you can save time, energy and money with the online flea markets.
I am often amazed by the ways people feel confused and helpless when they need to buy so many things at a very short time and they do not know how to manage the situation. When people are in such situation, they most usually take a day off and go out for shopping, roaming form stall to stall for different items. Just think of the time and energy spent to find a single item Cheap Brazil Soccer Hats , especially when you have to check with two or three shops for a single object.
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Homemakers usually have so many things to take care of. When they do not have a helping hand, which they usually do not have, even daily chores become so tough. Given the situation, moving from stalls to stalls Cheap Brazil Soccer Shirts , carrying the items already bought, makes a person pathetic. Why do you need to take to the harder path, while you have an easier and smarter way to shop! Let me tell you the benefits and advantages of shopping from the thrifty nickel or the online flea market. This will help you realize how lucrative it is to shop online from the thrifty nickel.
Everything Is Easily Available At Thrifty Nickel
Lets first think of the easy-availability of the wide varieties of commodities in a thrifty nickel. A thrifty nickel is like an online classified site where you can order whatever you want to buy. The most interesting thing about these types of online flea market is that you will find almost everything to buy here. Be it home decoration materials, toys for babies or pets, sports items Cheap Brazil Soccer Jerseys , kitchen appliances and accessories, jewelry, or even automotive items you will find it all at the thrifty nickel. All you have to do is to select the items you want to purchase and order them so that they are delivered at you place.
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After easy-availability of things, lets consider the comfort you enjoy when you shop through thrifty nickel. You do not have to travel to any pace. You just sit at home and order things you need, and it is delivered at your doorstep. Isnt it very comfortable? It saves you time as well as energy with which you can handle a lot of other important things that need your presence and direct interference.
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Boracay Weverton Brazil Jersey , Philippines has been listed as one of the top ten beach destinations in the world according to Yahoo! Travel. This amazing island in the Philippines has stunning views and waves perfect for kiteboarding.
Facts about Boracay Island:
Riders may catch the best winds during the months of December to March The wind conditions are around 15 to 20 knots The place has a tropical weather; from warm to hot The island is surrounded with bars, restaurants and clubs perfect for an exciting nightlife
The island of Boracay is located along north of Panay. It is just a small island that was first discovered by backpackers during the 80s. Since its discovery, the place has been developed from a secluded island into a culturally diverse location. Now, there are malls, five star hotels and other establishments in this small island. Apart from the industrial developments Walace Brazil Jersey , Boracay, Philippines has also become a haven for kiteboarding.
Kiting in Boracay
Boracay has long white sandy beaches with tropical and steady winds. Experts recommend kiting along the east side of the island because it is quieter and away from the crowd. The beach along the eastern part of the island is called Bulabog Beach. This is the perfect place for kiteboarders to launch their kites.
For Beginners and Pros
Bulabog beach is a great kiting place for beginner kiteboarders. The 2.5 kilometer long bay is considered safe for beginner kite riders and sailors. The wind blows are consistent and tranquil from December to March each year. The waves are also great for experienced kiteboarders. There are great rolling waves that can boost surf jumps.
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January 30, 2013
Publication: Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) Symposium - Fenestration: A World of Change, part of the Building Innovation 2013 Conference
Abstract: The evolution of fenestration products since WWII has been constant and dramatic. Fenestration products now approach the energy efficiency of what we used to be common for some opaque walls. Functional options have eased cleaning and improved operation. Clear spans and glazing alternatives have provided striking options for architectural expression. But the path to advancement has not been without significant performance glitches. This paper explores my almost 40 years of experience investigating the performance of fenestration products, through exploration of three of the following more significant issues: Certification vs. field performance; Gravity vs. chemistry; Window/Wall integration
Services: Building Enclosure Investigation


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This is an income restricted, senior living property. You may be required to meet age and income requirements to qualify. Please contact the property for details.
Prices, specials, features and availability subject to change.
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Seniors age 55 & better, be a part of our community! Affordable prices-you owe it to yourself to live here! We have social programs too numerous to mention, as well as garden areas.
Lease terms are variable. Please inquire with property staff.
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text:
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...I might just beat Vikki at the Balmoral 10K, but it didn't happen this time. Vikki has done really well since resuming her training after her 10 month break, and managed an excellent time of 57:05, only 6 seconds slower than last year. My training has been seriously hampered by gout and a sprained ankle, so I was quite pleased that I was even able to run on the day, let alone finish in 59:31, my best time on the Balmoral course, despite the ankle holding me back a bit on the downhill bits, feeling leaden legged by about 7km, and being sexually harassed by one of the other competitors (I managed to overtake Vikki without seeing her on the hill and she touched my behind when she went ahead again). Vikki and I accidentally got separated from the Daviator before the start. He did well in his first event and managed a decent time of 1:03:08. Earlier in the day, Lachlan and Calum took part in the 1.5K Primary School race, and finished in 9:59 and 10:20 respectively, a great effort from both of them. Here's a picture of all the runners with their medals:
All in all, we had an enjoyable weekend staying at the Hilton Craigendarroch in Ballater to celebrate Vikki's mum's birthday. Will post more photos and stories another time.
Monday, 28 April 2008
One of these days...
Posted by Iain Shanks at 21:16
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
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Wednesday, May 17, 2017
ABC WEDNESDAY--"S" is for "Signs"
The alternate title for this is "urban and natural colors," since there are reds and greens on two of the signs, too....
See other Ss on Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY.
Posted by Bibi at 12:00 AM
6 comments:
- Lowell said...
I like this, the signs, but especially those wee balconies...the flowers are a nice touch. And it was nice to hear from you again. Hope that all is well with you and your family!
- May 17, 2017 at 12:19 AM
- Leslie: said...
I agree with Lowell, above, that the signs are nice and colourful but my eyes were drawn to the flowers on the balcony! So beautiful.
abcw team
- May 17, 2017 at 5:44 AM
- Tammy said...
you have to yield regardless
- May 17, 2017 at 6:47 AM
- Roger Owen Green said...
Ye, I was oddly drawn to the yield sign, which I can tell you that Albany, NY area drivers DO NOT UNDERSTAND
- May 17, 2017 at 11:31 AM
- Melody Steenkamp said...
were would we be without them
Melody (ABC-W-team)
Preview Round 21
- May 17, 2017 at 1:24 PM
- William Kendall said...
Those flowers catch my eye.
- May 17, 2017 at 5:47 PM
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text:
contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com
This is a killer piece, James! I really dig your work.Best!Mike
MMMM chunky monkey paint! Love it.
James, New to your site via William Wray. Kick ass color, brush work and composition. You make it look so easy. How great you guys can paint together.Bravo, Stephen
Post a Comment


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Our last day on the island was a beautiful Hawaiian day! We decided we would take a walk around historic Ford Island. We stopped to take pictures of the USS Utah Memorial and then relaxed by the waters edge.
It was bittersweet leaving Oahu. As much as we missed the mainland, it was our home for four years. We made some great friends, became involved with some amazing homeschool groups, and had many adventures.


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Deluge prompts a flood of helpers
Who would have thought that an act of God that threatened to devastate parts of Noosa could have had such a miraculous revival in the local SES?
The August deluge, which wreaked flooding havoc at Boreen Point camp ground and sent Noosaville streets under, almost brought the Noosa Shire's orange overalled volunteers to their knees.
Days of relentless rain had the 20-plus members busily out helping close roads, evacuating local residents and filling an amazing amount of sandbags to try and hold back a swollen river from local businesses.
They were so badly stretched that units from across the Coast had to be called in to support their mighty efforts.
"They were just about run into the ground by the end of it," said local SES information officer Gloria Bruzzone.
Then came the payback as a grateful community decided to help the SES units who had given their all.
A recruitment drive has swelled their ranks with the signing of 40 new volunteers.
Real estate agent and mother of four Jo Harvey is one of them.
"They helped a lot of people I know in the floods and I had been looking around to do some volunteer work and when I saw they were asking for new members I said that's it," 38-year-old Jo said.
"I had been thinking of working in a nursing home, but this way I thought I could learn some new skills.
"There is a diverse range of people there, but they are a fantastic lot." Odd jobs man Paul Flanagan, 37, arrived in Noosa after the floods, but he was impressed enough by the SES's attitude to help others to also join.
He said the SES volunteers he has come to know as he continues training in readiness for storm season were simply amazing.
"We were at our Christmas break-up for all the units the other night having a good time when half of them had to go out to three car accidents," he said.
Local controller Dave Hanchard believed the recruitment drive/public awareness campaign had had such an overwhelming response the SES unit has a new problem. The volunteers have launched a fundraising campaign to purchase a 22-seater bus to transport them and would love to hear from generous sponsors.
Anyone who can help should phone Dave on 0415 989 990.


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Watch Ellona Santiago sing "Clarity" written by Anton Zaslavski, Matthew Koma, Holly Hafferman and Porter Robinson.
Compare Ellona Santiago's singing to the original version of "Clarity" performed by Russian / German DJ Zedd with vocals by London singer Foxes, featured as the title track on Zedd's 2012 studio album.
Plus more singers from THE X-FACTOR USA's first week of Four Chair Challenges in our article Hard Work Gets a Seat! THE X FACTOR USA – Four Chair Challenge Week One Recap


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The second half of the Joy Luck Club is equally entertaining as the first half was. It ties in all of the stories from the first half. Additionally, it makes a lot of connections to the other members of the Joy Luck Club, which the first half rarely did. I found that I never became bored while reading this book because there are no parts to it which drag on. Each story is "short and sweet." A new chapter begins before one chapter can drag on.
In the second half, Waverly Jong continues her story about playing chess. She winds up quitting the game all together when she loses the support of her mother. She loses confidence and begins to think that her mother is the enemy and not her opponent. This causes her to lose matches because she is so sure her mother is stronger than her. Finally she gives up chess. This reminds me of a quote I think is interesting. The quote is, "If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you its yours. If it doesn't it never was." Waverly never truly regains her skill at chess. It is as though she lost her gift, like Asher, in My Name is Asher Lev, gives up drawing. The difference is that his love came back to him whereas Waverly's did not.
The St. Clair mother and daughter chapters exemplify the differences between Chinese ideals and American ones. Ying-Ying St. Clair is the mother of Lena St. Clair. Ying-Ying describes her daughter's home. She tells how there are many material items but none with practical purposes. For instance, there is a table that is only strong enough to hold up a vase with a single flower. Lena has a contrary opinion to her home. She loves it. This useless table is in the guest bedroom of her house that she likes the most. She perceives her home on appearance, whereas her mother judges it based on practicality. These differing opinions reflect their opposing ideas on values such as marriage.
The book is informative on the Chinese culture. It uses many Chinese words and gives there definitions. It also gave me the opportunity to get rid of many stereotypes I had about China. I learned about customs they have. For instance, I never knew what mah jong was. I also did not realize how much pride Chinese-Americans carry in holding on to their heritage. The book made it seem very important for them to stay in touch with their origins. For instance, Jing-Mei goes to China to meet the twins her mother had lost during a difficult time. Another thing is that I never realized how popular chess was in China. I never perceived it as an international-type game until now.
This book also covers the theme of maturation. All of the members of the Joy Luck Club mature both during the book and in the stories that they share with the reader. The most maturing is seen within Jing-Mei since she has the most to tell. When the book began she had no understanding of her mother. However, at the end she felt connected to her. She learned about her mother's secret past. This enabled her to have greater respect for her mother. By understanding her mother she was able to understand the difference between her two selves: the Chinese side and the American side. This was something she had struggled with understanding her entire life.
This book was a good example of good literature and I am glad I chose to read it because I was able to absorb a lot of facts within this fictional book.


text:
Top CAPA Software SecretsFrom Sicily to London, Normandy to Algiers, Capa experienced many of the most attempting disorders imaginable, yet his compassion and wit shine on each site of this ebook. Charming and profound, Slightly From Focus can be a great memoir explained to in terms and photographs by a rare guy.
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TFN Review: The Star Wars #6 by JW Rinzler
Having narrowly escaped the Imperial forces invading Aquilae, Jedi-Bendu General Luke Skywalker and his comrades have set a course for the Ophuchi system. But before they can reach the safety of the Chrome Companies, which have pledged their support in the fight against the Empire, they find themselves under attack by pursuing Imperial fighters.
An interesting thing happened to me while reading this issue I enjoyed it. Those of you who've read my previous reviews for this series know that I've been pretty disappointed in it so far and consider it on the whole to be a missed opportunity. But this issue dumped most of what hasn't worked and focused on a straightforward adventure story featuring just the main characters.
And it worked fantastically. From the asteroid pursuit to Annikin's battle with the wookiee chieftain, this issue was just fun to read. It also sets up the conclusion to the series very well.
I'm beginning to run out of ways to praise the amazing artwork always on display in this series. In spite of my general dislike for the overall story, Nick Runge's covers never fail to convince me that this is a series I want to read. Something about them is always so exciting. He captures the spirit of this project perfectly every month. Even here, when the cover image is taken from one of the story's more ludicrous elements, his representation of the event gives it an ethereal, mythic quality. It's beautiful, and worthy of appreciation.
Equally worthy of appreciation is the artwork of Mike Mayhew, whose images consistently elevate the story material and always keeps me entertained while reading the series. His pencils for the portions of the story set on Yavin are particularly impressive. The way he draws the lush foliage surrounding the characters marries brilliantly with colorist Rain Beredo's verdant greens. Their combination already has me anticipating how awesome the upcoming battle between the wookiees and the Empire is going to look splashed across the pages of the next issue.
This issue worked for me. While it still contained some of the same dialogue issues that have plagued this series since its start, there weren't as many of them and they weren't as obvious as they have been in the past. For the first time in a while, I'm actually looking forward to the next issue.
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Durango Women's Ultra-Lite Western Work Boots
Item # 2000210970
- Durango Women's Ultra-Lite Western Work Boots
- Item # 2000210970
$124.99 Online Price
Additional Information
Product Features & Description
These Durango Ultra-Lite Western Work Boots work just as hard as you do, cowgirl! Whether you're in the barnyard or working on the ranch, these boots will keep you comfortable with contoured, cushioned footbeds and a supportive fiberglass shank. They feature a striking two-tone upper with western embroidery. These Durango boots will keep you looking great from the ranch to the road!
Style(s): DRD0183
- Full grain leather
- 10" shaft
- Two toned upper with western embroidery
- Pull tabs
- Square toe
- Contoured ventilated removable cushion footbed
- 13.5" calf circumference
- Soft mesh lining
- Fiberglass shank


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|Photo: WikiMedia Commons
A new report released by NORC at the University of Chicago, "Beliefs About God Across Time And Countries" measures belief in God in 30 countries around the world, and how those beliefs in God have changed over time. The survey asked three questions to determine whether the respondents were atheists, agnostics, deists, waivers, weak believers, strong believers, whether their beliefs about God had changed over time, and whether they believe in a personal God. (Source)Okay, they asked questions about a generic belief in a generic god. Great. I can see this is going to be enlightening. The article closes by saying,
While belief in God has decreased in most countries, researchers find that the shift is modest. The researchers suggest that it is equally possible that belief in God will continue to decline, or that belief in God will become more widespread as it has in Russia, Latvia and Slovenia. (Source)So, the conclusion to this report is that belief in "God" will either decline or increase. Uh huh. Got it. Is anyone else curious just how much money it cost to conduct this study?
Now that you have quite possibly grown just a bit dimmer simply from reading that story, here's your week in review (kind of):
- A squirrel with its head stuck in a yogurt cup. Trust me, it's funny.
- The Cripplegate offers five symptoms commonly misdiagnosed by pastors.
- Ken Silva beats me to the punch and asks, what's up with Liberty University? In 2010, they asked Mormon Glenn Beck to speak at commencement, and this year they will welcome Mormon Mitt Romney.
- Why is The Gospel Coalition recommending a book by Eugene Peterson?
- The morning-after pill delivered by "faceless" bike service?
- What is sanctification?
- Matt Chandler has a tour bus for his new book, The Explicit Gospel. I'll refrain from making a snarky comment.
- Here is a play-by-play look at Steven Furtick's sermon from the Presence Conference on 13 April 2012. In fact, C3 Church Watch has been offering many videos from Presence 2012, as well as helpful commentary. I suggest you visit this site for more information.
- Fulfilled prophecy demonstrates the divine inspiration of Scripture.


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The People's Assembly national conference on 15 March 2014 unanimously voted to endorse and The People's Charter. The people's Charter and supporting documents can be downloaded here:
The Alternative To Cuts Is Straightforward
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- CayDer2Asked on April 19, 2017 at 03:55 PM
This happened today, searching several addresses and they did not come up. Advised Admin. to enter and she said she had yesterday. So I searched under the agent name and they were all there, jut not showing by address??
- JotForm SupportjonathanAnswered on April 19, 2017 at 06:04 PM
Can you please confirm first that this is the form https://www.jotform.com/51603576985264 that have the issue?
If I am not mistaken, you must be doing the 'search' in the form submission data in the View Submission panel.
You can use the Search box at the bottom of the grid to search for existing submission data of the form.
I hope this help. Let us know if this did not resolve the issue.


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Prince Edward Island
Time to quit
22 January 2015
Charlottetown, PE -
"Cigarettes controlled me," says Amanda Smith. "I'm so relieved to have my life back."
The Cornwall woman started smoking when she was 13 years old. "It's what the cool kids did, so I joined in." This past summer, at age 37, she decided it was time to quit.
"Smoking was taking its toll. The thing that bothered me the most was the coughing. It was pretty constant and getting worse," says Smith.
During National Non-Smoking Week, the Canadian Cancer Society encourages people to think about why they want to quit and celebrates those who have achieved this goal.
"It's the best thing you can do for your health and reduce your risk of cancer," says Jane Farquharson, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society, P.E.I. Division.
Smith and her partner, John Betts, talked about becoming tobacco-free for over a year and were determined to succeed. After discussions with their doctor, they decided to use a nicotine replacement therapy to help them through the worst of the nicotine withdrawal.
Smith didn't smoke at all during the day while she was at work, but says she made up for it in the evening. "I smoked from the minute I got home until I went to bed so that was the hardest time of day for me to cope," says Smith. She made changes to her routines for the first few weeks to avoid falling back into long established patterns.
"I used to turn down invitations to go places because it would interfere with getting that much needed fix. Now, cigarettes no longer control me and it's a wonderful feeling," says Smith.
In addition to changing routines, Smith relied on drinking lots of water. She admits she did gain a few pounds but is cooking healthier meals and relying less on pre-packaged foods. "I have more free time to do that, now that I'm not smoking," says Smith.
The other big impact is on the packet book. Smith smoked about a pack a day and Betts was up to 2 packs. In the run of a year, the Cornwall couple was spending more than $10,000 on cigarettes.
"It's made a huge difference," says John Betts. "I'm not sure how we did it, but it's great not to be so tight with cash now."
Their family is extremely supportive and proud that they have both successfully quit smoking. "I wanted to set a better example for my sons. They are 13 and 16 and they're happy I'm not smoking anymore," says Betts.
The couple recognized that quitting smoking was the most important thing they could do for their health. "I feel so much better, it's quite amazing," says Smith. "I'm breathing better, the hacking cough is gone and no more snoring!"
The Canadian Cancer Society is committed to helping Canadians become and stay smoke-free. It reports that tobacco products are the leading cause of preventable death in Canada, killing about 37,000 people every year. More than a third of cancer deaths are directly related to smoking.
"The good news is that our bodies are very resilient and begin to repair the minute you stop smoking," says Farquharson. Within a month circulation improves and energy levels increase. After 10 years of quitting, a person's risk of lung cancer is half that of a continuing smoker.
Both Smith and Betts are delighted they have quit smoking and are quick to encourage others to follow their lead. "It was hard at first but there is no going back. I'm so proud we are finally non-smokers," says Smith.
The Canadian Cancer Society offers a free, confidential service to assist anyone who wants to quit smoking or to people trying to support someone trying to quit. Contact Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or www.smokershelpline.ca
For more information contact:
Claire Nantes
Canadian Cancer Society, PEI Division


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Elmar Flatschart
Alan Milchman
Jamie Merchant
Originally published in the Platypus Review. On Saturday, April 6, 2013, the Platypus Affiliated Society hosted a panel, "Marx and Wertkritik," at its Fifth Annual International Convention, held at the School of the Art Institute Chicago. The panel featured Elmar Flatschart of the German theoretical journal EXIT!, Alan Milchman of Internationalist Perspective, and Jamie Merchant of Permanent Crisis. It was moderated by Gregor Baszak, of Platypus. What follows is an edited transcript of their discussion. A full recording of the event can be found online.
Event Description
Perhaps one of the most influential developments in Marxist thought coming from Germany in the last decades has been the emergence of value critique. Building on Marx's later economic works, value critics stress the importance of abolishing value (the abstract side of the commodity), pointing out problems in traditional Marxism's emphasis on the "dictatorship of the proletariat". The German value-critical journal Krisis has famously attacked what they believed was a social democratic fetishization of labor in their 1999 Manifesto Against Labor. Such notions have drawn criticism from more "orthodox" Marxists who miss the role of the political in value critique and the possibility of immanent transformation through engaging the realities of capitalist societies.
Did the later Marx abandon his political convictions that he expressed in the Manifesto? What about his later political writings, such as his "Critique of the Gotha Program," in which he outlines the different phases of early communism? Is Marxism a scientific project, as claims from value critics seem to indicate? Was Marx trying to develop of a "science of value" in his later works? What can value critique teach us after the defeat of the Left in 20th century? Did traditional Marxism necessarily lead to the defeat of the Left?
Elmar Flatschart: Value critique, or, following the theorem developed by Roswitha Scholz, a critique of value-diremption [Wertabspaltungskritik], seeks to understand and critique the fundamental mechanisms that govern modern society. This critique is not as interested in the political Marx of class struggle and the workers' movement, but more in the philosophical aspects of his work that focus on the abstract and fetishized character of modern domination. This approach tries to keep the abstract critical theory of society strictly separate from the contradictory practical attempts to overcome capitalism. Marxism shouldn't be understood as an identity-giving, wholesome position, which history proved to be erroneous, but should be reduced to a theoretical core that can help us to understand society, via a negative critique, even if it does not necessarily provide us with a way out. The call for the abolition of labor does not have immediate ramifications for Marxist politics.
There is no new program or a master plan for emancipation that can be developed out of the abolition of value. Rather, it can be seen as a condition of emancipation from value and the abstract system of oppression it represents. How emancipation will be achieved is a more complex story. We know what will not work: much of what the Old Left proposed as Marxist politics. A lot of that should be abandoned because, essentially, abstract domination cannot be abolished through the imposition of some other kind of direct, personal domination. If we are to critique the abstractions of the economic forms, we similarly have to target the political form itself. While Marx and Engels suggested as much by their formulation of the state eventually "withering away," I think we need to be a lot more radical. Emancipation ultimately has to mean the abolishment of the political as well. This is contradictory in the present political situation, but we should not try to postpone this task until after the revolution. We should see the constraints and the fetishizations immanent to the political form as something we want to get rid of now. Continue reading


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Street stories: An exhibition by Kuen Stephanie
Kuen Stephanie's vibrant depiction of multi-cultural Malaysia and the essence of family are her signature trademarks in the local art scene. Her latest solo will have you take a step back and admire her oil and acrylic paintings as a whole.
|Event phone:
|04 261 2261
|Event website:


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Customer Reviews
All reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant.
What You'll Get
Balancing mind and body is a difficult task, much like trying to win a three-legged race and a game of Jenga at the same time. Let the gurus of equilibrium show you the ropes with today's Groupon to The Ayurvedic Path in Herndon. Choose between the following options:
- For $39, you get one 60-minute ayurvedic health consultation (a $125 value).

- For $99, you get three 60-minute ayurvedic health consultations (a $375 value).

Helmed by calming captain Michelle Fondin, The Ayurvedic Path's wellness gurus aid clients in achieving mind-body awareness to pave the way to a healthier lifestyle. One-hour ayurvedic mind-body-profile consultations consider a patient's physical, mental, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and environmental health to help to target imbalances and regain equilibrium. Unlike the daily dose of marshmallows prescribed by cereal mascots, the assigned profiles instruct patients to follow a daily routine that includes yoga postures, meditation, an individualized diet, and herbal treatments to help to ease symptoms of their ailments. At the close of each one-on-one consultation, a well-being sensei leads the client through a guided meditation.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Jul 1, 2012. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy multiple as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. Must activate consultations by 07/01/12, expire 90 days from activation date. 24hr cancellation notice or fee up to Groupon price may apply. New clients only. Consultations are non-transferable. May redeem across visits. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About The Ayurvedic Path
For Michelle Fondin, yoga is just one component, albeit an important one, to achieving inner and outer peace. She incorporates the ancient practice into the Ayurvedic system of holistic and meditative practices designed to cultivate overall wellness and address mind and body problems. When she meets with a new client for an Ayurvedic consultation, she seeks to determine the true cause of their ailments, discussing health concerns alongside the stuff of life, which may include anything from relationships to career paths. In addition to helming these in-depth consultations, Ms. Fondin and her team lead hatha yoga classes and meditation sessions within a spacious, sunny studio where glimpses of critters from the forest below are not uncommon sights. "There's this instant unplugging from the crazy hectic world into a serene setting," explains Ms. Fondin.
Ms. Fondin hopes that The Ayurvedic Path not only equips her clients with new tools for achieving balance between mind and body, but also helps foster a sense of community. To that end, she keeps her classes limited to 13 students and makes an effort to get to know every practitioner.


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Build CouplesWork Website
Budget $50 USD
I require a counselling website be built. It is a simple website
The website will be called CouplesWork. the url will be: [url removed, login to view]
I want the website to look like the attached coupleswork.tiff.
I want CouplesWork in the area where it says Mission. I want a logo above CouplesWork. I want a phrase below "CouplesWork" but I dont know what yet.
I want 4 areas in the upper green area rather than the 5 in the tiff. I want each of the areas to highlight when moused over and when you click them it takes you to a subpage. I will provide a list of subpages and the content of the green area.
I want the small cream colored menu at the very top. (About us, Contact CouplesWork, Event Calendar and one other.
I want the menu on the middle left ( like where it is below "Mission" in the image). I will provide a list of menu items. There will be approximately 5.
I want it to say "Welcome to CouplesWork" where it says "Welcome to Mission" with the similar area to have text below it. I also want an image behind the text like in the tiff but an image of couples or something similar.
I want an area with a video in the middle right area like in the tiff as well.
For the bottom left section I want to be able to put content.
For the bottom right area I want tabs with: CouplesWork Blog, Events, Calendar.
9 freelancers are bidding on average $69 for this job
Hi, Warm Greetings and Thanks for reviewing our proposal. We will build your counselling website in HTML and PHP .As our team is well specialized in building websites(HTML ,PHP ) and we have delivered many counse More
We have more than 3 years experience in Web page design and development. We decided to do this project in HTML 5, We will complete it in 3 days.
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Dear Sir, After careful analyis of your requirement, We have researched all aspects of the Counselling Website that you are interested in developing. We are happy to say that We have come up with a solution that wil More


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Recognizing Forty Under 40 In Putnam County Business
The rising stars of local business are about to be recognized as the Putnam County Chambers' first 40 under 40 awards program gets underway. This honor will be bestowed on those young professionals who work full time within our county's borders, showing financial acumen and superb leadership in their company and community. The selection process began awhile ago with some 70 applications being received from various business and community leaders. After removing duplicates, etc., some 54 final nominees remain, so it's time for the panel of judges to get busy. Business leaders from six separate communities within the Chamber will serve as judges for the awards, including: Geoffrey Reinwald (Brewster), Vincent Tamagna (Cold Spring), Henry Boyd (Kent), Laurie Ford (Mahopac), Bill Evans (Patterson), and Barbara O'Hare (Putnam Valley). After meeting with the remaining candidates, the judges will narrow the field down to the 40 award winners who will be celebrated at an event to be held at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac on January 25, 2013. Masters of Ceremonies for the event will be the Courier's Eric Gross and Kacey from WHUD 100.7FM. Various sponsorship levels are still available, ranging from $500-$5,000 . Visit www.putnamchamberny.org for more details.
Although this is Putnam's first-ever recognition of the younger generation of businesspeople, events such as these are commonplace throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. Every community needs to encourage its future leadership to dream big and excel at their chosen professions, and each year a new crop of leaders is given a chance to shine through these high profile events. By publicly recognizing the feats of an already-distinguished group of under-40 professionals, Putnam County is letting the world know that our business and economic development efforts are in full swing. This will result in a better future for all of us, so please plan on celebrating this coming January!
-Jennifer Maher, Chairwoman, the Putnam County Chambers of Commerce


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Dale Bradbury standing undeneath the tower with reflective panels that allow for cartographical positioning of Mount McLeod. Which was a little ironic, given that my rough map of the plateau had half worn away in my pocket during our walk to the peak.
Dale BradburyMount McLeodmountbuffalo
From 2007 Mount Buffalo People Photos


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Summer is officially here and everyone is enjoying the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, barbecuing, or relaxing by the pool. You want to impress everyone with the best outdoor technology on the market and have it perfectly in sync with your indoor technology, so you never have to leave the party. That's why Crestron provides the most advanced outdoor technology solutions to keep your entire home environment running seamlessly, making life easier and summer days more enjoyable.
Crestron AIR®
AIR 2-Way Surface Mount Outdoor Speakers
The AIR 2-Way Surface Mount Outdoor Speakers (AIR SR4, AIR SR6, AIR SR8) follow the party wherever it goes, indoors and outdoors. The QuickBall mounting system lets you adjust the speakers with 360 degree positioning, giving you perfect sound wherever you go. Sold in pairs, they range in size from 4" to 8", and come with a polypropylene woofer for deep bass. What's great about these speakers is they come in different colors and can even be painted to match the surroundings of your yard. Their flexibility and sleek, weatherproof design will l fight against any sort of weather and leave you worry-free.
AIR Landscape Speakers
AIR Landscape Speakers (LS4t and LS6T) keep your outdoor technology up to date and brings crisp soundto all corners of your yard. The landscape speakers can be mounted anywhere you want outside and are easily disguisable to keep your property looking clean and natural. These speakers are sold in pairs, but give you the ability to connect more speakers to cover all corners and sections of your property, making sure your sound is heard loud and clear for any summer activity. These speakers range in size from 4" to 6.5", and come in a natural, earthy bronze color or can also be custom painted to blend with your backyard scenery. When combined with the AIR landscape speakers, the AIR Dual 8" In-Ground Subwoofer gives you the ultimate party sound that will surely impress your neighbors.
Air Dual 8" In-Ground Subwoofer
Let the AIR Dual 8" In-Ground Subwoofer, AIR IGS82T, deliver the smoothest bass to your backyard. This subwoofer makes the perfect addition to your outdoor sound system because it's barely visible. The AIR IGS82T is watertight and planted in the ground, exposing only a few inches of the port tube, resembling an outdoor mushroom. Like the landscape speakers, the AIR IGS82T allows you to connect multiple subwoofers for those who like to get the party started and enjoy that solid, heavy bass. It also comes in the same natural, earthy bronze color.
Now that the temperature has gotten warmer, stormy weather is seriously threatening our prized home technologies. Our control systems give us the ability to communicate effortlessly with our homes, so protecting our solutions are extremely important. How can we protect our outdoor and indoor Crestron solutions from electrical disasters and lightning strikes? The Cresnet® lightning strike protector, CSP-LSP, is a must-have accessory for anyone who cherishes their system. It protects any Crestron control system from irreversible damage that could occur during a storm. To protect the central control system, the CSP-LSP can be installed near the main equipment cabinet or at the point of entry of an outdoor Cresnet cable. With four-stage lightning suppression, you will never have to worry about the CSP-LSP failing and frying your system.
Take control of your indoor and outdoor technology with the WPR-48, an incredible waterproof and wireless handheld remote that's ready for any kind of outdoor or indoor activity. This remote comes with 9 to 48 available functions so you can link and control any solution you have in your home. It stays safe from bumps and drops with its durable, easy-to-grip case and is waterproof, so you don't have to get out of the shower, hot tub, or pool to change the channel or put your favorite song on. Battery life isn't an issue with this remote because its lithium battery promises an extremely long life and a quick charge in the docking station. The WPR-48 can communicate through RF or IR and is compatible with any Crestron control system.
InfiNET EX® IOEX Wireless Control Modules
Controlling your pool and outdoor entertainment systems from anywhere inside your home is the perfect summer accomplishment. The INET-IOEX-RYIO and the INET-IOEX-IRCOM are Crestron control modules about the size of a deck of cards and are simply placed on or near the device you want to control. Compatible with 2-Series and 3-Series® control systems, these modules can control anything from your garage door, to pool and spa controls, outdoor and indoor lighting, and so much more. The best part about these control modules is their convenience. There's no need to run in the house to grab your iPad® when you can reach into your pocket and control everything straight from your smartphone or WPR-48. These low cost devices can be used at the same time, are affordable, easy to set up, and will save you tons of money by eliminating expensive labor costs.


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The Lord of the Rings Online forum has been updated with the full patch notes for tomorrow's Legacy of the Necromancer patch. Most notably, Chapters 5 and 6 of the Black Book of Mordor will provide players a chance to move with the Golden Host toward Dol Guldur. In addition, the Strongholds of the North will open where players will meet Elvenking Thranduil and learn more about the troubles in Dale and Lake-town as well as help the dwarves in Erebor.
Other notable pieces of Legacy of the Necromancer:
You can read the full update notes on the Lord of the Rings Online site.