Gabor Maté says that "addiction is a misguided attempt to solve human pain."
When I first heard him speak a small gathering here in San Francisco, it was this statement that stayed with me the most.
At first, I felt a resistance - like, come on, it's not that simple! Yet the more I mulled this over, and thought about the ways in which food addictions had been such a huge part of my journey and all of the ways in which I used food to numb out, I couldn't deny it - he was right.
Addictions are a way that we mask all that we can not cope with, process, resolve, or face. There can be a lot of wisdom in running away --- for a time. But eventually, this strategy ends up becoming more destructive than healing.
In my work with clients, I have seen so many of them leave off drinking, smoking, disordered eating, and more as they learn to feel, address, and release the pain they have been carrying for so long.
It is no easy thing to do!
If you are struggling with an addiction, I hope you'll take some time today to check out these resources:
Tear Down Those Addictions
The Spirituality Factor: Addiction, Trauma and Recovery
The Abused Addict: The Ultimate Fight
And as always, if there is anything I can do to be a support to you - do not hesitate to reach out!
To feeling,
Explore other resources on the topic of addictions!
What is one addiction you'd like to be free of?
BOOK OF THE MONTH
Based on Gabor Maté’s two decades of experience as a medical doctor and his groundbreaking work with the severely addicted on Vancouver’s skid row, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts radically reenvisions this much misunderstood field by taking a holistic approach. Dr. Maté presents addiction not as a discrete phenomenon confined to an unfortunate or weak-willed few, but as a continuum that runs throughout (and perhaps underpins) our society; not a medical "condition" distinct from the lives it affects, rather the result of a complex interplay among personal history, emotional, and neurological development, brain chemistry, and the drugs (and behaviors) of addiction. Simplifying a wide array of brain and addiction research findings from around the globe, the book avoids glib self-help remedies, instead promoting a thorough and compassionate self-understanding as the first key to healing and wellness.
READ MORE HERE!
UPCOMING EVENTS
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
I am so excited to be a part of and speaking at this free full-day conference for female veterans who have survived sexual assault while in the military.
This conference aims to help women improve intimacy within relationships and internally by owning their sensuality and sexuality.
The conference is scheduled to occur on Women Veterans Day (June 12, 2021).
Learn more and apply!
REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW!
Do you feel disconnected from your intuition? Or like you can’t tell the difference between fear and your gut instincts?
I did too.
When Ashley and I became friends and partners to develop the Emerge Retreat for Women, an added bonus was that we got into some great conversations about intuition and I learned so much!
This is exactly why I am sharing with you about her upcoming Intuition Mastery course and highly recommend you check it out.
Coach Ashley uses a proven four-step framework to help everyone in the course become intuition masters.
Stage One: Intuition Curious
Stage Two: Intuition Aware
Stage Three: Intuition Confident and Competence
Stage Four: Intuition Master
The course is 6-weeks long and starts March 21.
It’s application only but I think pretty much everyone on my friend’s list would be a good fit.
When you apply don’t forget to mention I sent you.
Learn more and apply!
Coping Skills:
We all need a set of management strategies to get through life. We explore this month some of the best coping strategies for and techniques that help us thrive and overcome abuse.
Learn More & Register Here
