Functionally dysfunctional, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC Photo

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I think I've lucked out because, all and all, I've got a pretty great family. Don't get me wrong, we have our moments and yes, I think we could come up with a Jerry Springer show but when push comes to shove, we're pretty much there for each other.

Our biggest hurtle through the holidays is trying to find the right date for our gatherings. I have 3 siblings and each has their own family. We've had divorces so we have to match up weekends with kids and work schedules to get the whole group together. We usually bring a dish to my Mom's house but this year we've decided to make it easier and just order pizza instead. We had a traditional Thanksgiving together so we're changing tradition for Christmas. We're also having the gathering at lunchtime instead of dinner to offset work schedules. The point is, we do what we have to do, to make it happen! This may be the last year we all exchange gifts as the economy has taken its toll but we'll figure out how to create a new tradition and whatever it is, it will include my whole functionally dysfunctional family, the one I'm part of and the one I love!

She was the only survivor, continued...

Photo of Darcy Keith taken by Sears Photography

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I applaud Darcy for her strength and perseverance. Her story is awe-inspiring. Most would shy away from such a traumatic scenario. No one chooses to be involved in a fatal car crash during the prime of their life but when it is forced upon you, you can choose to pick up the pieces and make the most out of the circumstances or stop living. Darcy chose to live and to live with intent. She lost several friends in the car crash and suffered mentally and physically. She had to completely start over. Today she funnels all of her energy into coaching others on how to achieve remarkable success and overcome anything that attempts to block this journey. Darcy genuinely leads by example. The world seriously needs more courageous people like Darcy Keith!

Click here to learn more about her and make contact.

Christmas ornaments and holiday spirit, continued...

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I must admit, I am having trouble manifesting holiday spirit. Yesterday as I spent 11 precious minutes meditating, the word "ornament" came to me. Somehow over the past 24 hours, I allowed this word to intertwine with my spirit and the article was created through this process. It is true, I think I forgot or let go of the true meaning of Christmas. Once I was able to gather my senses and take some quiet time for myself, I was able to feel more a peace with the holiday season.

How are you doing this year? Have you found peace with the rush of the holidays? Leave me a comment and tell me about it.

Capacity for progressive development, continued...

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I'm always working on having an open mind and being positive about my outcome. It is easy to get stuck in a rut when you're trying to manifest a dream (like being a well-known artist). What I have to do is continue to push myself to make sure I'm always taking the steps necessary to keep my dream moving forward. Many times it seems daunting but when I look back, I always feel like I've come a long way from my initial want. Today I have an art business and many happy clients who have found joy from my artwork (both drawings and words). This validates my dream and it is pretty amazing.

I think we can all benefit significantly by pumping momentum into our lives. It is a wonderful word that gifts success.

Comment with your story of momentum, I would love to learn more about you!

He is a humanitarian leader, continued...

Photo of Buzz provided by Buzz Alexander

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I whole-heartily believe there is holistic life healing powers gifted through the creative process. The work of Buzz and all who are involved in his Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) offers testimony to my belief.

I was curious about how the program was started. Buzz discussed its origin.

In his words, “Two women, Mary and Joyce, enrolled in the University of Michigan from prison. They wanted to take the course, English 319. I went with two other students to the women’s facility and met with these 2 women. We did theater exercises and learned about incarceration. I asked them to sit down and write questions for us. They came back and asked, ‘What are you doing here?’ This was the most important question. They asked, ‘Are you interested in the prisoners?’ We had to speak honestly and from our hearts to explain what was bringing us there. They were asking us very difficult questions about what we would have done in their situations. At the end, one turned to the other and said that we need to bring this to the whole prison. It was at the Florence Crane Women’s Facility in Coldwater, Michigan.

Sixty women came to the first workshop, where a lot happened. I told them we would be coming back every week and 22 years later we’re still working with them!”

If you or anyone you know is interested in this program, (to volunteer, donate funds, and/or take Buzz Alexander’s courses, click here to learn more and make contact.

Animal energy is profound, continued...

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It is amazing to me how animals are so forgiving and loving. They only want our company and attention. I had my cat Scruples for 20 years and he was such a blessing in my life. He helped me to slow down and just "be with him" in the present moment. He taught me a lot. Scruples passed almost 2 years ago and the loss was significant for me and my boys. He was such a character and like no one we've ever met.

Today, I have a cat Charcoal (she is extremely loving) and my boyfriend has a dog, Ronnie, whom I also claim as my own. I call him my woolie mammoth because he is very big and hairy (part husky). He is a big bundle of heart. Even the cat and dog have somehow figured out how to exist with us together. They are not friends nor enemies. I think they've agreed to just disagree about one another!

Animals take a commitment to care for them and be compassionate to their needs. They depend on us whole-heartily for their well-being. It breaks my heart to think of all of the homeless little angels and the ones who are put to sleep daily. If all of the people who currently do not own animals only knew of the unconditional love and companionship they share, our shelters would be bare. If you or anyone you know are able to adopt a pet from a shelter, please do so immediately. Your kindness will be returned 100 fold!

Click here for local Michigan animal shelters.

Emotional detachment and eating, continued...

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If you follow my column, you know over the past 2 years I have shared my diet goals both in successes and failures. I’ve embraced many healthy eating practices in hopes to find a positive health impact. I gave up sugar for 7 months to find that I was neglectful in this effort because I replaced my diet of sugar with sugar-free products to discover they may be sugar free but not calorie free. I did lose a couple of pounds but I really didn’t feel healthier.

I gave up red meat for 1 month (I love steak too much to give it up for longer) and I really do not believe it made much of a difference in how I felt. This might be because I don’t eat red meat everyday, maybe once or twice a week normally. I'm sure if I were to give up meat all together, I would make a positive health impact although I'm not sure I would ever want to do this.

I’ve given up goodies and pop for months at a time and, yes I felt better but I usually crash and burn when I fall off of the diet wagon. I hit hard and then I seem to make up for lost time.

Over the years I’ve tried yoga, palates, MMA conditioning, the gym, a personal trainer, workout buddies and so on. But, ultimately I’ve not been able to tie a great workout schedule with a healthy diet. It seems if one is going great, the other isn’t. I’m now working to mesh these two efforts so they compliment each other nicely.

This latest effort and the inspiration for my article is working for me. When I’m feeling healthy (I fail if I’m fighting a cold or flu), I am finding a way to view food in the light of day (in more of a non-emotional calorie perspective).

I must admit, at first, I was a little sad to try to remove my emotions from my nutritional needs because I love to eat. The bottom line is though, I can still eat, I just have to do it more appropriately, when my body is hungry not when my emotions are pushing for the need of a pick me up.

This is really big for me. I started trying to embrace this new thought process November 1st, 2011. Today on December 1, I’m 5 pounds lighter. I’m hopeful I will continue to lose 5 pounds a month throughout the holidays. Time should tell.....

Do you have any tips for healthy dieting? If so, leave me comment, I’m open to your thoughts.