A-Z Inventory

We did a great exercise at group today....an A-Z inventory. It is a great way to focus on your positive attributes. Here is what you do....

Write each letters of the alphabet down the left hand side of a piece of paper. After that go down the list of letters and write a POSITIVE attribute about yourself.....or maybe an attribute that you want to work on. Don't dwell on a letter if you can't come up with something. Go on and come back to that letter later.

Once you have completed the exercise try taking an attribute every couple of days and put into practice on a conscious level. Then choose a different attribute, and so on, and so on.

**If you can't come up with "H", don't forget that you are a >>>>>>>

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Just a quick note to say that I am looking forward to seeing everyone at group on Friday.

Shuwanna, I am sure you have lots to share after your trip.

If you have not looked Shuwanna's site this week please do so...there is new info regarding group on it....plus a great post. LearningToLive (<-- click there)

Please think about me....

I am asking all of you to please be thinking about me on Wednesday, August 23. I will be over at the Partial Program speaking at 10:00. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. As many of you know, I feel called to share my story with others. I want others, especially those in any of the psych units at TCMC, to know that there is hope ----- the light at the end of the tunnel isn't always that of an oncoming train. I plan to share my experiences over the last year or so, the tools that I have gained and use....including Boundaries and "The Rules". I will also be sharing information about HIPPOs. I spoke with my therapist on Friday and she feels that I am ready for this and is 100% behind me.

I would greatly appreciate prayers for peace of mind, courage to share even the hard things, and wisdom to know what not to share. I will be anxious, I am sure, to share with all of you on Friday how it went.

I also want to say thank you to all of you in the group. Because of your input and support over the last several months I have continued on the road to recovery and healing.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Well, we had another good group this afternoon. There were 4 of us plus Shuwanna and Elizabeth. We will begin the Mood Journal next Friday. Not much else to report.

Shuwanna --- have a nice trip to California. We will see you in a couple of weeks.

hippogrover
aka Amanda

"Poopy Metaphor"

IWasJustThinking... has a great new post all of you should read. It is wonderful. Especially if you were at Shuwanna's group about looking at the world through Poop Colored Glasses

Mood Journal

Mood Journal

Beginning on Friday, August 11, 2006, we will begin a mood journal at group. There will be a 3 ring binder on the table in the room with instructions on how to fill out the journal. The binder will have dividers and notebook paper. Each group member will have a divider with his/her name. Please remember that the journal is to be confidential, so do not read other member's sections of the journal. The only people who can read all parts of the journal are Shuwanna and Elizabeth. I will attempt to explain how the journal will work but like I said, there will be instructions in the journal.

*Line one: write your name and the date

*Line two: write "Before Group"

*Line three: write "Today I feel"

*Line four: write "Physically" (and answer)

*Line five: write "Emotionally" (and answer)

*Line six: write "Spiritually" (and answer)

skip a line or two and then:

*Write your name and the date

*Write "After Group"

*Write "I feel"

*Repeat lines four, five, and six

This should prove to be a great project for each of us. However, for those of you who do not like journaling or this type of check-in ---DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!! This was Shuwanna's brain child. Just kidding Shuwanna, I am excited about this and am looking forward to being able to see in writing how, if at all, my emotions and feelings change from the start of group to the end of group.