In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have been reflecting on how to prioritize gratitude daily and experience its powerful force in shaping our outlook on life. Gratitude extends beyond the feasts and festive gatherings and encompasses a profound appreciation for the intangible treasures that enrich our lives.
In challenging times, gratitude is a guiding light that reminds us to appreciate even life's most basic comforts. Whether acknowledging the essentials when resources are limited or finding solace in memories during loss, gratitude is a source of resilience. Offering thanks for what endures, despite absence, provides the strength to navigate life's complexities with a resilient spirit.
For me, alongside my horses and beautiful farm, family is the heart of my gratitude; yet for others, family and home can be sources of pain and struggle. There is no universal road map to finding peace in gratitude because it is a deeply personal journey of reflection and forgiveness that we must work hard on throughout our lives.
For those navigating the recovery journey, gratitude can take on a transformative role. Thanksgiving can be a poignant reminder of the gift of a healthy life and a beacon of hope amid the shadows of adversity. Gratitude for recovery is a testament to resilience, inner strength, and the unwavering support that paves the way for a brighter, sober future.
As November unfolds, Thanksgiving serves as an invitation to revel in the simple joys and to express gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us. It is a reminder that, even in the midst of life's challenges, there is an abundance of blessings to acknowledge, celebrate, and share with others. Through gratitude, Thanksgiving becomes not just another day on the calendar but also a state of being and a profound acknowledgment of the richness that life, in all of its facets, has to offer.
I am delighted to tell you that our next International Transport Training will take place in Dallas, TX, on March 21,22,23, 2024, at the DFW Behavioral Health Symposium.
If you’re looking to learn more about how to effectively provide trauma-informed care, this is the training for you. In this 16-hour workshop, participants will learn about the safety, collaborative, and relational aspects of Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Transports™. You’ll also be trained on how to perform a Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Transport™ and on the HRH&A Respectful Adolescent Transport Process™.
You can find more information about the training here.
Monthly Blog Round-Up
The following is a round-up of our monthly blogs in case you missed any on our social media pages.
Personality theories aim to understand, describe, and explain the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make up personality.
These theories provide insights into how people differ from one another and seek to identify the underlying mechanisms that shape personality. They have evolved over time as research has developed and expanded our understanding of human behavior and personality.
During the 1970s, Pia Mellody observed a growing number of clients linking dysfunctional, abusive family backgrounds in their childhood to codependent behaviors in adulthood.
These codependency patterns manifested in various forms, including addictions, mood disorders, and physical ailments. Through her work with codependence, Pia Mellody researched dysfunctional relationships that often involve what she termed The Co-Addicted Tango between a Love Addict and a Love Avoidant.
The stress response is a crucial survival mechanism that exists in most mammals and has contributed to the survival of humans for hundreds of thousands of years.
The stress response, often known as the fight-flight-freeze response, is overseen by the amygdala, located within what is commonly termed the “reptilian brain.” This region represents the oldest and most rudimentary part of our cerebral structure and processes information in a simplistic, reactionary way.
Narcissism is a complex personality trait that is often misunderstood as selfishness or grandiosity.
Narcissists often display pretentious behavior, belittle others, and need excessive attention, which impacts other people’s lives and hinders relationships. This seemingly inflated self-concept conceals a fragile sense of self – often referred to as ego.
