FOOD FOR THOUGHT….

Here it is that time of the year …for all of us to maximize our chances of having a calm and Merry Holidays. Let's review some helpful hints.

Know that stress is built into the holiday season. Along with stress goes anxiety. Many of us find that the excitement, anticipation and natural letdown of depression afterwards cause increased body reactions. This is certainly nothing to be frightened about. What can we do to deal productively with this?

1.- PREPARE AHEAD	You do not have to do it all at once.

2.- DELEGATE DUTIES	Hold a family conference and share the extra work. Everyone will enjoy being involved.

3.- WEBSITE SHOP	If you hate malls, don't go. If you go, pick times that are likely to be slow.

4.- REVIEW YOUR TAPES	Especially the ones that are most helpful to you.

5.-FOCUS ON ENJOYMENT	Rather that focusing on the anxiety of traditional situations

6.- WRITE DOWN YOUR THOUGHTS	Instead of about last year's holidays season, write down what you would like to be different about this holiday year.

7.- RECOGNIZE NORMAL ANXIETY	The holiday season is full of anxiety. There are added financial pressures and often a chaotic break in routines. Remember that everyone has added anxiety at this time of the year. Recognize it for what it is and don't scare yourself with it. Change the ANXIETY WORD FOR EXCITMENT!

8.- TAKE TIME OUT	Each day just for you. You will use a lot more energy; therefore, you will need a lot more rest. Plan rest times for yourself each day.

9.-PLAN SOMETHING FUN	Plan something fun for January to avoid the after season “blues”. It can be as simple as a family get together or as exciting as a trip away from home.

Spotlight

Ron Houle, LCSW
Dayowl Counseling

The people of the Portland, Maine, and surrounding area are so fortunate to have a truly skilled, sensitive professional to provide the anxiety treatment service needed by so many.

This month we choose to reacquaint you with our Saco, Maine CHAANGE Affiliated Professional, Ron Houle, LCSW.

He had been an important part of the CHAANGE team for 10 years now, increasing his knowledge and skills in helping people, particularly the anxious.

Definitely his own person, he has developed a rich, perhaps unique blend of the spiritual aspects of existence with his mastery of martial arts so deeply rooted philosophy and wisdom. He has become a master in his use of his personal talents and the CHAANGE Program.

Ron's most recent offering is a well-founded and artfully produced compact disc that allows us to apply the philosophy of Aikido to our personal growth as well as achieving freedom from anxiety. It's called Embrace body…..Release Tension….An Aikido Approach to: Stress Reduction, Anxiety Relaxation, Meditation.

The powerful message Ron gives us in this disc are accompanied with short expertly rendered passages of beautiful oriental flute music played by Ron himself. I personally recommend that you have this experience for yourself. Turn to page 2 for how you can easily obtain it.

John Pullen

CHAANGE International Director

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

From Dr. PULLEN

COLONIAL WISDOM

Dolores and I had the joy of spending a week in historic Williamsburg, Virginia recently. While in the wonderfully organized Colonial Visitor's Center one day, I noticed the following quote in a frame on the wall.

“I am determined to be happy in whatever situation I may, for I have learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances.”

Martha Washington's letter to Mercy Otis Warren dated 12/26/1789.

YOUR CORNER

Dear Dr. Pullen,

“Thank you for caring and giving so much of yourself to others. I will miss my weekly contact with you, but I can always use my 16 tapes I have and knowing that I can call you and make a telephone appointment again when I need it gives me the confidence to go on. You helped me when I was drowning and no one could give me a helping hand. I had nowhere to turn and I felt “alone ” even when my family cared so much for me. I'm so thankful you gave the support I needed to help me get control of my life again. I take a day at a time. I don't rush myself and I don't have to be perfect or try to be anymore. I don't let other to control my life as before. I try to control myself and let others live their lives.

Thanks for the chance to change my life.
M.L. Montana.

(To our readers – Yes, do write us and let us know how you are doing.

FROM DR PULLEN

THE CHAANGE STAFF WISHES YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! John, Marisa and Dolore

Pease note: Perhaps you want to start the CHAANGE Program or do a complete review of it and you want to have a truly well experienced professional who will partner with you as your travel on this path to peace. If this is what you want, and you don't have one of our well trained, affiliated professionals close enough to you with whom to consult, do call us regarding the regularly scheduled, weekly telephone coaching sessions Dolores and I offer.

We have both experienced long-term severe anxiety, and each of us received our freedom when we became CHAANGE participants a little more than 20 years ago. We know it works. These consultation opportunities are convenient and economical. Currently I have a couple of half-hour openings in my Tuesday schedule.

To be eligible you must be a CHAANGE Program participant now or in the past. To arrange for having one of us to be with you for as long as you like on this journey, just call the National Headquarters at (619) 224-2216 and leave word for one of us and we'll get back to you that same day or the next. Of course, this service is also quite appropriate for those who are limited in getting out and around. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. If you have not yet started the Program , NOW is the only time anything gets done