Happy New Year

Look to this day for it is life,

The very life of life.

In its brief course lie all the realities

And truths of existence;

The joy of growth,

The splendor of action,

The glory of power.

For yesterday is but a memory,

And tomorrow is only a vision.

But today well lived makes every

Yesterday a memory of happiness.

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day.

-Ancient Sanskrit poem by Kelidasa

Your Appetite & Pleasure

Below is the first paragraph of an interesting article in Psychology Today on brain research, appetite & addiction (especially related to sexual behavior).

"In a recent post (Intoxicating Behaviors), I suggested that today's super-enticing fattening food and hyper-stimulating sexual videos could numb most brains' pleasure response if their owners overdo it enough. This past week, new research confirmed that too much stimulation indeed progressively numbs the brains of people who engage in it, decreasing their satisfaction. It also points to a way out. Over six months, the brains of women who ate more fattening foods changed. They showed less response to pleasure (than those who didn't gain), which made the women more apt to overeat. In effect, the brain changes eroded their self-control, setting them on a downward spiral."

To be able to read the entire article:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cupids-poisoned-arrow/201010/protect-your-appetite-pleasure

Written by Marnia Robinson is the author of Cupid's Poisoned Arrow: From Habit to Harmony in Sexual Relationships.

This excerpt republished from Psychology Today website & originally published on October 4, 2010

Open House Fun

We're so happy to be in our new expanded space & to have our five new contractors joining us, that we are having an open house to celebrate.  We're inviting other therapists & allied professionals to join us on Friday November 12th at 3-5:30pm at our new 111 Windel Dr, Suite 213 location.  If you have any questions or haven't received your invitation, contact Michelle at 919-360-1929.

I hope you will join us to meet, greet & have a nosh with other professionals.

In Honor of Gay Pride Weekend

For parents, children & adult children of parents...unconditional love & acceptance are what shape us & give us the confidence to see ourselves as capable & worthy....

"If the day ever came when we were able to accept ourselves and our children exactly as we are and they are, I believe we would have come to an understanding of what "good parenting" means." 

-Fred Rogers

It's All About Bonding

Recent studies support the importance of touch for increasing the confidence to do things that might otherwise cause ambivalence. It seems the imprint of a mother's attention and affection carries with it a lifelong benefit. Studies indicate, whether it is a reassuring touch by a supportive female or a telephone call with a person's mother, that the release of oxytocin helps to make us feel more at ease with the challenges of life.  So, if you want to help someone feel secure and to give them a boost of confidence, just give them a gentle reassuring touch on the shoulder.  It's just that simple!

Adult LGBTQ Group Now Available for Participation

http://www.changeforliving.com/groups.html 

Click on this link to get information about the group & view the flyer.  Also, please don't hesitate to contact me at 919/360-1929 or at changeforliving@yahoo.com to get more information or to schedule your initial individual meeting with me to join the group.

Groups for LGBTQ Young People & Adults

Coming Soon!

This fall I will be starting a small support group for young people ages 14-18 who identify as LGBT or have questions about sexual identity (the "Q" in LGBTQ).  I want to give young people a safe, supportive environment to explore who they are & what this might mean to them & the choices they make.  With over 25 years of working with teens, & education & experience working with sexual identity issues, the group will address the developmental needs of these young people.

I will also be doing an adult group this fall, to be co-facilitated by a local pastoral counselor who has years of experience working with issues of faith & the gay community.  This group will offer a supportive environment for adults to explore their sexual identity & figure out what this means in their adult lives.  For those who have issues of faith, this will also be a non-judgmental group to explore these questions. 

Some of the issues these groups might address:

• Who am I - label, behavior & feelings & what does it all mean & how do I make sense of it all
• Coming out issues - when, who, when & how
• What does this mean or not mean in terms of my life & relationships
• What does my faith say about who I am/my behavior & how can I integrate all aspects of my life
• Issues of discrimination - how do I not let this impact how I feel about myself

If you would like to get more information, don't hesitate to contact me at 919/360-1929 or at changeforliving@yahoo.com.  I would be happy to talk with you about how these groups might be helpful.