A very thought provoking movie:
To save a life
http://youtu.be/1o56pazEh-Q
Renee
Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a licensed counselor in Colorado. She can be
reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Life requires pruning
"Pruning is necessary, natural, and beneficial for anything that is
alive. We need it developmentally... and we need it in relationships
and in business. we need it when things are going well and when things
are not going well; it is a natural part of life's seasons and a
requirement for growth.
"The premise that pruning is necessary but still notice that we have an emotional misalignment with that premise, we will struggle to realize our vision of the future and our potential. But if you can become aware of your resistances and internal conflicts now, then you can begin to face them and work them through. If you can become aware of your resistances and internal conflicts now, then you can begin to face them and work them through..." - Dr. Henry Cloud in Necessary Endings
Life requires pruning. As we grow we have to let possessions and relationships go to make room for new experiences and relationships. In school we move from grade to grade changing teachers and classmates. We learn from those experiences. In nature the seasons take on the job of natural pruning; for example, diseased trees fall down when they are dead and the wind blows them over.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
"The premise that pruning is necessary but still notice that we have an emotional misalignment with that premise, we will struggle to realize our vision of the future and our potential. But if you can become aware of your resistances and internal conflicts now, then you can begin to face them and work them through. If you can become aware of your resistances and internal conflicts now, then you can begin to face them and work them through..." - Dr. Henry Cloud in Necessary Endings
Life requires pruning. As we grow we have to let possessions and relationships go to make room for new experiences and relationships. In school we move from grade to grade changing teachers and classmates. We learn from those experiences. In nature the seasons take on the job of natural pruning; for example, diseased trees fall down when they are dead and the wind blows them over.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Stress of life
"I offer these tips for achieving mind-body-spirit balance in our hectic world:
1.
"Create a healthy boundary for solitude. People today are suffering from information (sensory) overload. The effect may result in poor memory, poor processing skills, poor attention span, poor decision-making, as well as decreased productivity. Resolve the process-addiction habits of constant cell phone, e-mail, Ipod, and Internet accessibility. Declare high-tech free zones (in space and time) each day. In this solitude, take time for some simple relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing, yoga, tai chi, etc.) as an essential step in caring for the caregiver.
2.
"Resolve issues of anger and fear. Research is conclusive that chronic stress suppresses immune function (Kiecolt-Glaser, 1999). Energetically speaking, unresolved issues of anger and fear congest various aspects of subtle anatomy... thus affecting the integrity of various target organs. Making peace with our emotions (e.g., diplomatically confronting our fears and resolving anger issues through forgiveness) is essential for mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, joy, mirth, and gratitude are essential. Consider finding one humorous thing a day to lighten your heart.
3.
"Make a daily practice of meditation but this won’t happen until dedicated time and space is combined with the discipline to domesticate the ego. Sitting still to clear your mind of ego chitchat is essential for mind-body-spirit equilibrium. Insights from a clear mind lend support to the Chinese axiom, “When the student is ready, the teacher will come” (N. Cheng [author of Life and Death in Shanghai], personal communication, January 21, 2006), but this won’t happen until dedicated time and space is combined with the discipline to domesticate the ego.
4.
"Engage in regular (daily) cardio-vascular exercise. Exercise is the fight-or-flight response, so it would make sense that if you are stressed, exercise (like a homeopathic remedy) would help restore homeostasis. The benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise are numerous, including parasympathetic rebound and the “flushing” of stress hormones (cortisol) out of the system.
5.
"Maintain healthy eating habits. The stress response depletes essential nutrients that often are not replaced with fast foods and comfort foods (empty calories). Moreover, many foods (e.g., caffeine, sugar, salt) act to increase the release of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, hence throwing gasoline on the fire. Additionally, many foods contain significant traces of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that overload the immune system. Organic foods are always the best choice.
6.
"Nurture strong support groups. Friends offer a buffering effect to personal and social stress. It is now known as the “tend and befriend effect” (Taylor, 2002; Taylor et al., 2000). While friends cannot always help solve our problems, they can offer emotional and spiritual support. Remember, it’s not the quantity of friends, but the quality of friends that matters. The mind-body-spirit connection is far more complex than today’s science has yet to validate, yet when stress is left unresolved, we know this: ultimately the body becomes the battlefield for the war games of the mind. Where there is chronic stress, there are ego control will tell you these are the inner resources needed to successfully confront all roadblocks. The days of being chased by a saber-toothed tiger have now become days of entitlements with unmet expectations, urban sprawl, corporate downsizing, information overload, electromagnetic pollution, unruly teenagers, global warming, elder-care, in-your-face marketing, e-mail avalanches, and the threat (real or imagined) of global terrorism. As renowned stress researcher Hans Selye (1976) warned us, the physical body, in all its wonders, cannot stay in a state of stressed arousal without dire consequences. Ultimately stress kills. For this reason, a holistic approach is in our best interest." - Dr. Brian Luke Seaward in Beginnings Winter 2007
Reducing stress is a lifestyle change. Less TV, more friends and more exercise, more quiet time. Life in balance leads us to able to handle the necessary stress of life.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
1.
"Create a healthy boundary for solitude. People today are suffering from information (sensory) overload. The effect may result in poor memory, poor processing skills, poor attention span, poor decision-making, as well as decreased productivity. Resolve the process-addiction habits of constant cell phone, e-mail, Ipod, and Internet accessibility. Declare high-tech free zones (in space and time) each day. In this solitude, take time for some simple relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing, yoga, tai chi, etc.) as an essential step in caring for the caregiver.
2.
"Resolve issues of anger and fear. Research is conclusive that chronic stress suppresses immune function (Kiecolt-Glaser, 1999). Energetically speaking, unresolved issues of anger and fear congest various aspects of subtle anatomy... thus affecting the integrity of various target organs. Making peace with our emotions (e.g., diplomatically confronting our fears and resolving anger issues through forgiveness) is essential for mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, joy, mirth, and gratitude are essential. Consider finding one humorous thing a day to lighten your heart.
3.
"Make a daily practice of meditation but this won’t happen until dedicated time and space is combined with the discipline to domesticate the ego. Sitting still to clear your mind of ego chitchat is essential for mind-body-spirit equilibrium. Insights from a clear mind lend support to the Chinese axiom, “When the student is ready, the teacher will come” (N. Cheng [author of Life and Death in Shanghai], personal communication, January 21, 2006), but this won’t happen until dedicated time and space is combined with the discipline to domesticate the ego.
4.
"Engage in regular (daily) cardio-vascular exercise. Exercise is the fight-or-flight response, so it would make sense that if you are stressed, exercise (like a homeopathic remedy) would help restore homeostasis. The benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise are numerous, including parasympathetic rebound and the “flushing” of stress hormones (cortisol) out of the system.
5.
"Maintain healthy eating habits. The stress response depletes essential nutrients that often are not replaced with fast foods and comfort foods (empty calories). Moreover, many foods (e.g., caffeine, sugar, salt) act to increase the release of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, hence throwing gasoline on the fire. Additionally, many foods contain significant traces of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that overload the immune system. Organic foods are always the best choice.
6.
"Nurture strong support groups. Friends offer a buffering effect to personal and social stress. It is now known as the “tend and befriend effect” (Taylor, 2002; Taylor et al., 2000). While friends cannot always help solve our problems, they can offer emotional and spiritual support. Remember, it’s not the quantity of friends, but the quality of friends that matters. The mind-body-spirit connection is far more complex than today’s science has yet to validate, yet when stress is left unresolved, we know this: ultimately the body becomes the battlefield for the war games of the mind. Where there is chronic stress, there are ego control will tell you these are the inner resources needed to successfully confront all roadblocks. The days of being chased by a saber-toothed tiger have now become days of entitlements with unmet expectations, urban sprawl, corporate downsizing, information overload, electromagnetic pollution, unruly teenagers, global warming, elder-care, in-your-face marketing, e-mail avalanches, and the threat (real or imagined) of global terrorism. As renowned stress researcher Hans Selye (1976) warned us, the physical body, in all its wonders, cannot stay in a state of stressed arousal without dire consequences. Ultimately stress kills. For this reason, a holistic approach is in our best interest." - Dr. Brian Luke Seaward in Beginnings Winter 2007
Reducing stress is a lifestyle change. Less TV, more friends and more exercise, more quiet time. Life in balance leads us to able to handle the necessary stress of life.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
Monday, June 17, 2013
Endings are natural
"Today may be the enemy of your tomorrow.
"In your business and perhaps your life, the tomorrow that you desire and envision may never come to pass if you do not end some things you are doing today. For some people, that is clear and easy to execute. They end the things that are holding them back. For others it is more difficult....
"Endings are a natural part of the universe, and your life and business must face them, stagnate, or die. They are an inherent reality.... There are different kinds of endings and that learning how to tell one form the other will ensure some successes and prevent many failures and much misery, ending substantial pain and turmoil that you or your business may now be encountering." Dr. Henry Cloud in Necessary Endings
Most endings are hard to do, hard to walk through and seem not necessary. However, when we hold on to the situations, people or things when we need to let go of them we can then experience new growth.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
"In your business and perhaps your life, the tomorrow that you desire and envision may never come to pass if you do not end some things you are doing today. For some people, that is clear and easy to execute. They end the things that are holding them back. For others it is more difficult....
"Endings are a natural part of the universe, and your life and business must face them, stagnate, or die. They are an inherent reality.... There are different kinds of endings and that learning how to tell one form the other will ensure some successes and prevent many failures and much misery, ending substantial pain and turmoil that you or your business may now be encountering." Dr. Henry Cloud in Necessary Endings
Most endings are hard to do, hard to walk through and seem not necessary. However, when we hold on to the situations, people or things when we need to let go of them we can then experience new growth.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Necessary goals
"When we set goals and put legs to our desires and teach them, it
definitely does do the heart good. A listless life that never strives
to reach goals can feel lost. The research says that not only the
attainment of our goals but also the pursuit brings joy along the way.
As happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomitsky says, 'People who strive for
something personally significant, whether it's learning a new craft,
changing careers, or raising moral children, are far happier than those
who don't have strong dreams or aspirations. Find a happy person and
you will find a project.' Further, 'it turns out that the process of
working toward a goal, participating in a valued and challenging
activity, is as important to well-being as its attainment....
"Not that an entire life can look like the spring of that one week. Life is a marathon. But what we know about goals tells us that both the sprints of short-term goals and the marathon of a life spent pursuing longer-term goals and purposes contribute to satisfaction and well-being. They give us something to give ourselves to and invest our passions and strengths in. They help contribute to the 'flow,' which is a happiness factor in and of itself. They structure our lives and give them direction. They help order our time and energy. And a host of other benefits that contribute to a sense of well-being." - Henry Cloud in The Law of Happiness
Looking forward to meeting goals, short-term and long-term, is hope giving and life giving. We need something to look forward to.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
"Not that an entire life can look like the spring of that one week. Life is a marathon. But what we know about goals tells us that both the sprints of short-term goals and the marathon of a life spent pursuing longer-term goals and purposes contribute to satisfaction and well-being. They give us something to give ourselves to and invest our passions and strengths in. They help contribute to the 'flow,' which is a happiness factor in and of itself. They structure our lives and give them direction. They help order our time and energy. And a host of other benefits that contribute to a sense of well-being." - Henry Cloud in The Law of Happiness
Looking forward to meeting goals, short-term and long-term, is hope giving and life giving. We need something to look forward to.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The life of a giver
"First, give out of faith....
"Second, give out of empathy....
"Third, give out of your whole life, not just your material resources....
"Fourth, give in a structured way....
"Fifth, make sure that you are giving 'freely'....
"Sixth, give past your comfort level at times....
"Seventh, make it relational...
"And last, give to those who don't deserve it. Jesus told us to give to our enemies and to those who won't return the favor. 'Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.'" - Henry Cloud in The Law of Happiness
Giving too much of your emotional reserves can lead to unhappiness. We need to be in other people's lives, forcing ourselves to give to not be selfish and to be loving. It is not easy but it is a rewarding life.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
"Second, give out of empathy....
"Third, give out of your whole life, not just your material resources....
"Fourth, give in a structured way....
"Fifth, make sure that you are giving 'freely'....
"Sixth, give past your comfort level at times....
"Seventh, make it relational...
"And last, give to those who don't deserve it. Jesus told us to give to our enemies and to those who won't return the favor. 'Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.'" - Henry Cloud in The Law of Happiness
Giving too much of your emotional reserves can lead to unhappiness. We need to be in other people's lives, forcing ourselves to give to not be selfish and to be loving. It is not easy but it is a rewarding life.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Interesting Life
"Life is interesting when you aim to make a positive difference; I
believe it's even more interesting when you strive to make a signature
difference. You can make a unique contribution to the world around you,
affecting everyone in your life and work for the better. But first you
need to identify your signature difference." - Mark Sanborn in Fred 2.0
What is your uniqueness? Your unique style, strengths, passions. Then think of what do you want your legacy to be? Take time to think about and to journal about your specialness, what you might contribute to the world around you.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
What is your uniqueness? Your unique style, strengths, passions. Then think of what do you want your legacy to be? Take time to think about and to journal about your specialness, what you might contribute to the world around you.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
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