From the monthly archives:

December 2009

Journeying with Grief

December 31, 2009

in Sharing

Grief
Image by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton via Flickr

Being mindful of how grief applies to more than just the death of loved our ones is important.   Losses in employment, due to illness, of relationships, all these can be accompanied by the often overwhelming experience of grief.

An interesting aspect that lies behind the behaviors of many of the adolescents we serve, especially in instances where anger is predominant, grief often needs a process for recognition and integration.

“But there is no one way to grieve. People who are grieving experience many different emotions in any number of combinations. They may include denial, sadness, anger, confusion, despair and even guilt. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, a drop in energy level, body aches and pain or the development or worsening of an illness.”  See more at Shrink Rap

Ripples

December 30, 2009

in Ripples

A drop of water splashing onto a hard surface
Image via Wikipedia

A variety of content continues to emerge which you can find at these various locations.

At the Family Foundation School:

New Torah Study Group

Change Begins When We Ask for Help

The Family Foundation School Alumni News

Gratitude for The Family Foundation School

A Christmas Message

The Family Foundation School Places Third

Other Stuff:

How do you know if Social Media is Working?

A Review of Food Inc.

Turning Points

December 28, 2009

in A Next Step

By Richard Reeve

“To recognize the real spiritual identity of other people in everyday contact… to allow them to be themselves, must be linked up with ones capacity to allow oneself to be oneself.” Milner, quoted in Ulanov, Spiritual Aspects of Clinical Work, pg. 52

The “work” must find the other exactly where they are, not where they are expected to be. The parable of the lost sheep is quite poignant in this regard. What is amazing, and has been demonstrated time and time again within our community, is that the commitment to find the other is not a guarantee of success. Often times months can go by without any noticeable progress. But patience, understanding, the ability to listen amidst disagreement, these all witness to the potential of finding the sought after turning point.

Turning points are the hallmark of the stories our students write while attending The Family Foundation School. In each of these transformative moments it is as if the student crosses a threshold into a new formulation of self.

At the turning point an existential like self awareness of being lost and in of need help, coupled with the empathy of another individual who shares in the discovery, be that another student, a member of their family or a staff member, opens up a new vista in an individual where life becomes not only related to the needs and demands of society, but also to a Higher Power.

The guidelines for ushering others to the possibility of a turning point are both broad and specific. We share our “experience, strength and hope.”

…Serenity

December 25, 2009

in A Next Step

“Fruit Basket”, oil on wood
Image via Wikipedia

Wishing our entire community the serenity that is the fruit of surrender and the healthy-mindedness that can prosper amidst adversity.

A very Merry Christmas.

A Chance for Real Change

December 23, 2009

Image via Wikipedia By Rita Argiros, Ph.D. I have been thinking about struggle, that is the struggle against ourselves whenever we try to make a change. You want to lose weight. You try not to eat. At first you have the problem poorly defined. You think that the problem is your weight and the solution [...]

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What Symbol Lies Within Our Behavior?

December 22, 2009

Image by Getty Images via Daylife By Richard Reeve Many of our convictions are not as rational as we might think.  In fact, experience seems to show time and time again that as our absolute certainty increases, then our own blind spots likewise increase.  An interesting question to ask relating to all of this is [...]

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Ripples

December 21, 2009

Image by zen via Flickr Ripples continues to provide an index of content that is emerging across our platforms… On the Natural Gas Debate… A review of the documentary film Split Estate A Radioactive Discovery Dimock Residents Speak Out Alumni Perspectives… Breaking through the Chains For the first time ever Surrender Just Relax Alumni News [...]

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The Power of Resentment

December 20, 2009

Image via Wikipedia By Richard Reeve In his classic text on resentment, Max Scheler brings some interesting words into relationship with what has in recovery circles been defined as “the number one offender.”  Do the words impotence, delusion, blindness, inferiority, and falsification find an association in your definition of resentment? “The case is different when [...]

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Cyberpolarization

December 19, 2009

Image via Wikipedia By Richard Reeve The use of the cyber tools that have now become ubiquitous in our culture have led to some unexpected consequences.  In a fascinating essay on the political efficacy of, Elizabeth Kolbert writes: “Why group polarization occurs is not entirely clear. According to one theory, when people engage in discussions [...]

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Everything Needs Review and Updating

December 17, 2009

Image via Wikipedia By Richard Reeve An interesting blog post on the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM, as it’s known).  What’s fascinating about the suggestions offered here is that the author expresses his doubt that these suggestions will be incorporated, while none the less taking the time [...]

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