The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By: Nate Webster, IMH The term “Dry Drunk” was coined by AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) decades ago.  It is used to distinguish someone who is truly sober from someone who might be sober physically, but who is still a “drunk” mentally and emotionally. The term encapsulates the idea that even though someone’s dysfunctional behavior isn’t acting up, his or her heart remains unchanged and that ultimately it’s only a matter of time until he or she acts out again. Even though this term is applied mostly to addiction, the concept is applicable to most bad habits as well. How many of us have bad habits or dependencies we’re trying to stop, but we still just really want to do them? Stopping a bad habit can feel like trying to stop a desire for breathing. You hold your breath, hoping that while you’re suffocating your body will suddenly stop needing oxygen, but eventually you just grow tired and frustrated and stop holding your breath! In my work as a counselor I have noticed th...

How would you rate communication with your spouse? Are you a 10: interaction is perfect and both of you feel understood? Are you a 1: there is no exchange? Or are you a 5: there is some discussion but a lot of confusion? Where ever your score (unless you are a perfect 10), your communication can be improved. The quickest way to move up the scale is to stop some bad communication habits. Lying – Even small lies have consequences and a pattern of lying breeds mistrust. Not listening – Thinking about what you are going to say instead of what is being said. Interrupting – Causes frustration and demonstrates a lack of respect. Getting distracted – Other things/people are more important than your spouse. Failing to prioritize – Produces a “Chicken Little” situation – “The sky is falling.” Taking things personally – Not all comments (direct or indirect) are about you. Assuming – This makes an “ass out of you and me”. Name...

Brian M. Murray, MS, IMH If you are feeling depressed there may be something you can do to relieve it. Feeling depressed can be due to an imbalance in the brain neurotransmitter called Serotonin of which medication from a medical doctor can help to stabilize. While antidepressants can help lift mood this is often not the sole culprit for depression. Studies show that the most effective way to relieve depression is through both mood stabilizers and talk therapy such as mental health counseling. Talk therapy helps bring a person to understanding and healing of why the depression is occurring in the first place with a goal of getting off of being dependent on mood stabilizing medications. There are times however when the body has a chronic problem with producing enough Serotonin to hold the lifted mood. In this case long term treatment with medications may be necessary under a medical doctor’s care. When focusing on talk therapy there are three ways (formulas) that can help to...

2012 is projected by some to be the year that the world ends; and Christian Coach Dwight Bain hopes they are correct… to a degree. If people are stuck in habits and routines of the past then Bain says they should live every day as if it was their last... to maximize the moments and make a positive difference for Christ. Bain has identified the top trends in 2012 that will affect the Baby-Boomer generation, their families, businesses or ministries. More importantly how you can benefit from making some little changes to achieve big results in this year so that you maximize your potential and experience greater success. These are the top 5 areas that will radically change this year and never be the same: 1. Digital Technology increase across all generations, especially seniors, (Kindle, iPad, mobile banking, DVR, texting) 2. Healthy lifestyles to avoid health crisis and nursing care, (organic everything, gardens, bankruptcy of “Twinkies” parent company – Hostess) 3....

40 insights to break habits and build strength to become your best! BY Dwight Bain, LMHC,NCC & Certified Life Coach Physical & Spiritual 1. Drink plenty of water. 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 3. Eat more natural foods, rich with nutrients while avoiding processed foods 4. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy for others 5. Build restful activities into your day to reduce stress 6. Play outside more, so you can 're-create' natural energy 7. Read more inspirational books than you did last year 8. Sit in silence to meditate and reflect on God's blessings to you 9. Sleep for at least 7 hours a night 10. Make sure to add in gentle exercise, like a brisk daily walk. Every step adds value to your life Personality: 11. Spend your time and energy focused on your personal best instead of comparing yourself to others 12. Focus on positive thought...

by Mark Victor Hansen Our minds are all we've got. They are the source of who we, both personally and professionally, are. They determine our success or failure. They are our strength and our weakness. With the quality of our entire lives resting on our minds, it's unbelievable that we choose to fill them with so much garbage. The amount of negativity from television, newspapers, tabloids and other media that bombards us on a daily basis is amazing. We would never think to fill our bodies with only junk food, right? Heck no. We know that if we ate nothing but French fries and ice cream we would experience negative consequences like skin blemishes, weight gain and rotting teeth. But with mental junk food we don't see the physical consequences right away. When our minds are constantly filled with negativity and bad news, our minds begin to decay. That's why we need to develop a strong, Herculean-esque mind. Developing your mental muscles will give you the power to accompl...

By: Dr. John C. Maxwell Most of us never see our dreams come true. Instead of soaring through the clouds, our dreams languish like a broken-down airplane confined to its hangar. Through life, I have come to identify five common reasons why dreams don't take flight. #1 We Have Been Discouraged from Dreaming by Others We have to pilot our own dreams; we cannot entrust them to anyone else. People who aren't following their own dreams resent us pursuing ours. Such people feel inadequate when we succeed, so they try to drag us down. If we listen to external voices, then we allow our dreams to be hijacked. At some point, other people will place limitations on us by doubting our abilities. When surrounded by the turbulence of criticism, we have to grasp the controls tightly to keep from being knocked off course. #2 We Are Hindered by Past Disappointments and Hurts In the movie Top Gun, Tom Cruise plays Maverick, a young, talented, and cocky aviator who dreams of being the pr...