It's just our blog

Quitting Coke

The Oracle — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:22:56 +0000

Look don’t you love this farm picture? It is one of favorite locations just outside Park City, Utah

I am ashamed that I have neglected this blog since Valentines day and here we are on October 1st. Yikes. The building of a groundbreaking, remarkable one of a kind treatment program requires that me – we – us spend countless, seemingly endless days and nights working. The effort it takes to walk through the mire of mud that working with government agencies requires makes blogging seem like a luxury activity and I honestly haven’t had the time nor have I been very inspired.

But I decided today to renew my efforts to make an impact ( however nano small) on the addiction universe for again…not the addict as much for the parents, spouses and siblings that suffer too.

My favorite thing to do is to engage our members in conversations of creativity and question. You can be a person with purpose, passion and possibilities. You can.

You can send your demons to the light – letting the universe and it’s attending guardians fight your battle. You can heal but don’t just trade one bad habit for another habit of instant gratification. Great – thanks for being clean from heroin but if you are having random sex with people you don’t know just for the big bang effect – you are not clean nor are you sober.

This is the moral confusion that creates relapse. Find your compass, restore your moral integrity and be YOU – who the great Creator intended you to b e.

Love you. Oh so what this means is that I too have decided to love myself more and I stopped drinking soda… specifically coca-cola. Not that I am particularly invested in the need to have caffeine or a particular brand but I admit I love the burn of the carbonation as it is sipped and slowly gurgles and burns down my throat. Yep. love it. with a big AAAHHHH that is where my craving is. But I have given it up.

Cold turkey – I took some Advil the first morning but really not even a headache ( yahoooo ) and no cravings. I’m sure soon someone will have to talk me off the ledge ass I scream ” I need a coke” but I am happy to hope for a cleaner more sober me.

I was thrilled to note to myself that I wasn’t all controlling and angry if I didn’t get to the market fountain each morning – that has brought peace to my day. Not only will I save some cash but I know I will drop some weight – that 500 empty calories a day has been nasty to my waistline.

A woman of my mature age doesn’t need her body to be an enemy – I need my wits about me to run this program. I love being able to say ” No one has expanded a comprehensive multi- dimensional approach to recovery like we have – solution designed recovery” ( Thanks JLO )

Every step we make moving forward is a step towards a fearless mind and one of gratitude for being addiction free ( even if it is free from Coke) Eliminating those external influences that paralyze our success’s – ya that is what High Performance means.

So I encourage anyone who may be fence sitting about being enslaved by soda – Be free my friends.

Hey – go visit our website http://www.ipromisefoundation.org for great news about addiction treatment and read our other blog Your recovery News

Happy Valentines Day – reflections on love

The Oracle — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:58:13 +0000

Pick up lines are really nothing more than attempts to get your attention.

Maryanne Williamson says all communication s really nothing more than: “I love You” or “I want you to love Me”.

That desire for capturing another’s attention transcends age, gender and species. I have had men, women, children and even dogs get involved in the communication process.

None was more endearing than the four year old girl I met on a hospice visit. Kati’s mom was the patient—a tragedy of beauty and courage terminally ill and leaving too soon. In my capacity as a hospice chaplain, I was meeting with Kati’s grandma to assess the family’s spiritual needs.

As she and I talked about deep and painful issues, Kati squirmed on Grandma’s lap, made several attempts to join the conversation and finally, in a grown-up voice for one so young, said, “Honey, honey, where do you live? Where are you from, honey?”

Our hospice team lovingly named her “she who cannot be ignored!” She got my attention!

I joke that dogs and small children adore me.

Kati is certainly one example of that and Harley Ray proves the point with regard to dogs.

My friend Valerie belongs to Miss Harley Ray, an articulate pure bread pit bull with one brown eye and one blue eye. During the time I cared for my dying mother, I visited Valerie at least once a month, during which she sat me in her magic reclining beauty chair and performed eyelash augmentation.

Often, this hour of pampering was the only break I took from the challenge of care giving. Harley was a fixture in the process and each session began when Harley presented her tennis ball for me to throw, before settling down to supervise the process.

She seemed to know if I had been having a difficult week and at the end of one such week, she unexpectedly, climbed right up into my lap like a teacup poodle and put her head on my shoulder with her cheek against mine and cuddled me like I was one of her “pack”. You can bet THAT got my attention!

Harley Ray didn’t need words to get my attention; she could pick me up with a silent spiritual arrow that always shot straight to my heart.

There have been men in my life like that, but more often than not, the silent connection was associated with heart-stopping eye contact.

Research shows that mothers and babies who are deeply bonded make eye contact longer and more frequently. This phenomenon also applies to couples.

Greg was wise beyond his years, when as freshmen; we sat opposite each other at a Broadcasting Class Banquet held at the college we attended. Throughout the entire dinner, we were separated by a 6 foot round table, other class mates and the din of their cross-talking conversation. We were too far apart to speak, but that didn’t stop Greg. He communicated eloquently during the entire dinner with intense eye-contact (I’ve seen actor, Robert Downey, Jr. do this on screen) and it won’t surprise anyone that I gave Greg my number that night and we began a year of experiments in deeper communication.

Some of the best pick up lines aren’t pick up lines at all, but sort of an emotional tourette’s; an explosion of emotional overwhelm that compels one to action.

I was the delighted recipient of such an event one Saturday morning as I cooked breakfast for my brother who was going fishing with a mutual friend; Johnny.

Up early and half awake, with no makeup on, I scrambled eggs and made toast. Johnny rang the door bell and let himself in with a hollered, “I’m here—let’s go”, as he followed the smell of bacon into the kitchen.

(It’s helpful to know that Johnny was ex-special forces, taught bomb demolition and was not prone to undisciplined outbursts, which makes what followed more memorable:)

Johnny often greeted me with a friendly hug, but today, as I carried the hot frying pan from stove to sink, he followed me, picked up my long tousled hair and slowly kissed me on the back of the neck, then whispered into my ear, “JeanneLauree, you’ve got the kind of hair that looks good spread out on a pillow!”

Another pick up line that wasn’t a pick up line, but still falls in the “emotional tourettes” category, took place at an annual retreat held by the company I worked for at the time. It wasn’t made to me, but about me and I heard about it later.

Self-conscious about the competitive nature of the business I was in and the egos of my

high-powered colleagues, I spent extra time on my grooming—higher heels, brighter lipstick and extra time fluffing my shoulder length hair into a volume big enough to support the night landing of an F-17 fighter jet.

I was set, and the efforts evidently did not go unnoticed. A friend later reported that as I stepped off the hotel shuttle, she over-heard the person next to her exclaim, “Sweet Jesus, who’s that blonde!”

Often the most cliché lines are rendered classic by the context.

I was presenting a workshop to 600 women in San Diego, Calif. As I prepared for the engagement which was to be presented the next day, several trips were required from parking lot to hotel room.

On each trip, I kept running into the same gorgeous, tall black man also using the elevator.

He already had my attention, and our conversation moved from, “which floor would you like?” to his invitation for a lunch date the next day.

After I had lunch with him, some of the women in my workshop saw us at lunch and cornered me before the afternoon session, “Do you know who that was you lunch with today? That is Kellen Winslow, Sr. He plays for the San Diego Chargers and is probably the best tight end ever!”

That’s what impressed them and got their attention.

What impressed me and got my attention was his involvement with the Christian Athletic Association and the fact that he shattered all of my stereotypes about “dumb jocks” when he started lunch by asking “What was the last good book you read?” And, then, he really listened to my answer.

My favorite pick up lines are classy and classic.

I was carrying the hat I was going to wear to a commencement ceremony in Wisconsin, while walking thru Chicago/O’Hare Airport, to my surprise, Jesse Jackson, Sr. walked up to me and started a memorable 10 minute conversation with this: “You don’t see a woman with a hat much these days, a beautiful woman with a hat like that must be going somewhere important, where are you going?” Loved it!

And finally, some of my favorite men began our friendships with attention-getting pick up lines, but followed up with years of sustained charm and lovely demonstrations of affection.

James, the cocky fighter pilot, stopped his car in a school parking lot, turned up the radio, pulled me out of my seat and said, “I’ve always wanted to dance with you to this song!” Another lovely night, he walked me to the door after a date, kissed me good night, and before leaving, declared, “Anyone who says, ‘a kiss is just a kiss’, has never kissed YOU!”

Chad has remembered my birthday every single year for over 25 years; from our first year as business associates, through the years we were friends and lovers and then friends again. Over the years, we shared the serendipity of a lunar eclipse, up-grades at a Rocky’s ballgame and writing together. He made it into ‘the best lines hall of fame’ when I asked him what I should wear when we were going out that night and he replied: “Darlin’, I wouldn’t begin to tell you what to wear, half the fun of being with you is being surprised by who you are when you show up for me!”

John took me riding elephants in Thailand, hiking the Blue Mountains in Sydney, Australia, and diving with sharks. It all started when we were on our first trip scuba diving on The Great Barrier Reef. I was a novice diver and he was a PADI certified “master diver”. When I expressed my concern about holding him back from experiencing the full benefits of diving on the reef, he responded by saying, “Today is all about you, JeanneLauree.” I loved how he said my name. My name is unusual and often mispronounced. John said it correctly from the beginning and when I commented on the fact, he unselfconsciously told me, “I practiced saying it right.”

Steve, the massage therapist has a wonderful way with words. After being apart for several years, I booked a massage with him. As he worked on me he commented, “I’ve missed that tattoo.”

Another time, he sent me a clipping from a magazine perfume ad showing a man and woman in a familiar embrace that he said reminded him of me. I emailed him to say his note left me breathless and he countered only with: “That’s my favorite way to leave you!”

Over the years, of my long life, I have had the most wonderful, charming, articulate and intelligent men in my life.

Thank you and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

I’m so glad you said what you said that got my attention, made me stop and open my heart

JLO

New Blog for a new adventure

The Oracle — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:57:33 +0000

Visit our new blog http://www.yourrecoverynews.wordpress.com we have joined forces and resources with the I Promise Foundation

Clean, Clean, Clean

The Oracle — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 03:48:26 +0000

I’m sorry, I’m grateful, I forgive myself and forgive everyone else in my life and I love.

Loving what is

We all need a little bit of scrubbing up so before you break your finger off pointing blame at someone you are holding in contempt – look to yourself and start cleaning

Pastoral Counseling – spiritual caregiving an event in Park City

The Oracle — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:11:34 +0000

It’s a Clergy training. In gorgeous Park City. Bring your notebook and be prepared to change the world you serve. Clergy from all around the inter mountain west are invited to attend our pastoral counseling conference : Spiritual Caregiving to Help Addicted Persons and Families. Hosted and sponsored by the I-Promise Foundation and Wise Consulting Group

The curriculum has been provided by SAMSHA and clergy can receive CE credits.

It will be a humdinger, blast o matic, uplifting, fun event. I know – what are you sayin? A conference will be fun?

Well, I am speaking and My co-hort Kendra is in charge of all hosting, hand waving activities and I will be in- charge of the cheetos and sodas. Plenty of great speakers and a Ruth Chris Steak House in the Hotel – how cool can that be. Lets change some lives together.

Look, with each day that goes by, the first line of defense for families suffering from the impact of addictions is their personal choice of clergy. Their Pastor, their Minister, their Bishop, their Chaplain… we are going to give them the tools to fight he battle.

The Incredible Hotel Park City is our location

If you are thinking it is really hot today in Beverley Hills and you want to spend a few days up in the mountains of Utah – cooling off enjoying the fall leaves – This is the place.

You can register @ http://ipromiseclergy.eventbrite.com/

Hope to see you there.

http://www.wcgcreative.com all attendees will receive an invaluable – worth it’s weight in gold – one of a kind Addiction Resource Directory to help them serve their families

On Truth Telling

The Oracle — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:23:08 +0000

During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

— George Orwell

I am always fascinated by the arrogance and self righteousness of folks who think they never lie. Or that criminal thinking errors only applies to criminals and not to them?

George Orwell, (earthly name Eric Aurthur Blair) – gone from this earth know for 60 years was considered a visionary of things to come as his quote above indicates. We do live in times of universal deceit and denial.

It is the epidemic symptom of every social and political collapse in history on a grand scale as well as for each human who refuses to live in truth.

I was watching a local program on Sunday about the devistating impact of pornography on families – or so that was the intent of the show – to bring into the light this pervasive sickness to the familiy that porn addiction brings. But the show, while bright with good intentions was weak and lacked the punch of truth needed to really shift a paradigm.

The revolution. We are so afraid to call a lie a lie. Political correctness, fear of being found out, shame, pride, evil, being offended or offending someone else, afraid of being labeled or made fun of.

The greatest lies are those we tell ourselves about our own stories, our own truths…the lie must certainly be better. The lie can be easier to tell and often quite convenient to justify the means to the end we seek but it never works out.

The truth about pornography is simple:

It is nasty bad – don’t even start and if you do – stop and get some help to stop. Yes, it is addictive, it can change the chemicals in the brain. It lies to you. It will destroy you.

Call a lie a lie and clean up your life.

Spiritual DNA Trumps Physical DNA every time

The Oracle — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:29:48 +0000

Recovery Day was great fun even though it was blazing hot! Excellent turnout and of course the incredible voice of Wise Consulting Group – Dr. Jeanne Lauree spoke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4u-s__52Nw

Enjoy

Aren’t you sick and tired of not knowing what to do about the addict in your life

The Oracle — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:07:57 +0000

Utah Co. Recovery Day is coming up

Just get yourself the FREE downloadable resource directory - unlike any directory out there. It won’t be free for very long. Just click on the link in the upper right hand side of the home page. Be patient it is a big file but worth every minute to recive 60 pages of incredible resources and information.

We have an enormous epidemic of addiction suffering here in Utah County. Families in denial, angry, frustrated – just wanting to kcik there loved ones out on the street. IT’s is incredible that in a culture that declares how important families are – and that families are eternal and can be together forever… how quickly we want to discard a loved one who doesn’t fit the norm, who fell onto a different and painful path. Well, get over yourself and remember – selfishness is at the core of every family problem. Who will you serve today?

The statistics are staggering – do you know that Utah County has more children in foster care due to parents being addicted? YIKES ! The number of grandparents raising their children’s children is unbelievable.

I get sick of hearing about prevention when what I really need is HELP… you can get help. download our directory at the link above and get to recovery day to learn more. Ya, I know it’s uncomfortable and embarrassing – just do it.

Urgent Care for Families

The Oracle — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:23:00 +0000

Addiction from misusing substances – alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, pills… does not go away until the person decides enough is enough and frankly that can be at age 80 years old. If it doesn’t kill you first, you can always get help to overcome, quit and find a personal culture of healing for yourself – no matter how old you are.

Families certainly can get tired of the chaos of addiction and give up. I say, never give up. Living with a person addicted can really wear you down. The lies, the laziness, the visible self destruction with complete disregard for anyone else can beat you up – leaving you with such cynical hopelessness that you can’t believe it will ever be different.

One Dad asked me if I believed in “Tough Love “– I had to say – it’s not the answer. He didn’t think so either. Love without contempt is the only path of peace for the family, even if the addict doesn’t recover. But you don’t have to suffer alone, there are so many resources right in your own community that are free or a sliding scale that can ease your journey if you can’t afford a $30,000 a month treatment center. Young and old, addiction is not going away.

Treatment centers have clients of all ages – a very famous man, at age 77 entered rehab for alcoholism – he had enough of the booze in his life and entered rehab accompanied by his wife who also had an addiction problem.

There are now fantastic options for troubled teens. Residential treatment centers that offer options for education solutions as well as the therapeutic component for dual diagnosis, substance abuse and other behavioral problems. Programs are available that offer detox, specialty treatment for eating disorders or gender specific issues for adolescent’s as young as 11 years old.

Treatment centers also help families with enabling and co-dependency and other issues that are plaguing the family constellation and preventing recovery. The son goes to treatment for drug abuse and the parents spend time in a daily program for a few weeks learning to cope with current conditions without enabling, contempt and can address their anger and frustration.

Families are addicted – it touches everyone. If you are searching for help for a loved one addicted – perhaps it’s important for you to find help for yourself as well. Find a treatment center that includes a family program and a long term plan for recovery.

Wise Consulting has compiled a comprehensive resource directory unlike anything in print or available on the web to assist any family searching for help. The premier help manual for families in crisis is available online and in print. Access this directory now at no cost RESOURCES for RECOVERY

www.technorati.com

www.alphainventions.com

Recovery Month- Happy Valley is not so happy

The Oracle — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:02:24 +0000

I have been appointed Chairman of the Board for the Utah County chapter of USARA ( Utah Support for Recovery Awareness). I am really excited to be involved with such a committed organization…I need a big gavel!

USARA is sponsoring the Recovery Day activities all up and down the Wasatch Front. This is a great opportunity for family members to get information about addiction. NO need to be embarrased or concerned someone will “find out” in your own desired secrecy ( I recognize people’s denial ) to listen to a few speakers about recovery, pick up some brochures from providers and ask questions – no pressure, no obligation – just an opportunity.

Recovery Day in Utah County is Sept. 18, 2010 at the Utah Co. Building grounds. It will be a great event.

Utah County has a huge number of children in foster care due to parents who have substance misuse problems, Utah County has an epidemic of prescription pill misuse, adolescent huffing,sniffing,snorting and eating disorders. Please Mom’s don’t be afraid – just pop on down to the county building on Sept. 18th and ask some questions.

Let’s change the conversation – instead of talking about the sorrow of addiction – lets celebrate the joy of recovery

Below are a few of the most incredible services available in Utah that we have personally visited and highly recommend and are affordable

Turning Point – Residential and outpatient treatment- great environment – 801-576-0745

Life Enhancement Center – in home outpatient services 801-477-0532 Talk with Jason – they will come to your home for treatment services

Project Recovery – sober living houses - Leah will give you a tour of the men or women homes 801-299-9947

Ascend Treatment – residential treatment – Talk with Ryan 801-216-4800

Lighthouse Recovery – outpatient treatment, intervention, group and family settings – AWESOME call Bret 801-631-7122

NexStep DeTox – a detox center here in Utah County – incredible facility 877-983-3869

4 the Youth – proctor homes, therapy – for adolescent treatment – Dr. Steve Astle 801-785-8870

Pathways Intervention – call travis for any questions about intervention 866-276-5430

The Shulman Center – yes, they are in Michigan – but if you have any questions about compulsive theft, shopping, employee fraud, gambling call Terry

Cirque Lodge – with facilities in Orem and Sundance, they are a full service residential treatment facility.

Renaissance Ranch – a LDS centered facility for men.

And of course if you are looking for pre-intervention work, family consulting, referral service where we can help you determine what your needs are for your loved one looking for recovery just call us 801-687-8627 or email coaching@wcgcreative.com or download our FREE resource directory on the website – it is the most comprehensive one stop resource available in Utah.

Don’t be afraid – have a fearless mind, engage in a culture of healing for yourself and your loved ones, Establish a pattern of high performance and embrace the opportunity to overcome adversity in your life. Happiness can run in your family even in recovery.

Nancy Jo

http://www.alphainventions.com