Went to Cherry Creek High School graduation (on school nurse duty) and just got teary eyed at all the awesome talented young people who graduated. A  student played a piano number including Gershwin montage …an acapella quartet, no valedictorian but different students of all different groups (ie… not only highest GPA) giving heartfelt speeches. I just get emotional ’cause they are the future and there is hope!!

I just came across a great website which is all about happiness.  You know,  that concept most of us seek and want more of in our lives. Many try to tell us what we “need” to be happy, with hundreds of advertising messages bombarding us daily or by giving us the notion that happiness  is an indisputable right,  as in “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”.  So what does  happiness mean and where can a person find it?  Check out this interactive website that is all about happiness at www.happiness-project.com .  Interesting ideas and a way to clarify what happiness might mean to you!

I started my morning looking at blog postings  from fans of the television show ER.  Not usual for me to allow myself to get distracted like that, but ER has been one of the few television shows I almost always watched.  As an interesting personal parallel about change,  it was a show that my grandmother (who is 96 years old) and I would always talk about and discuss the storyline and the characters.  I really enjoyed those moments of discussion and learning more about the thoughts of my grandmother! Despite the generation difference, she and I often looked at events (and TV shows) the same…. Today I will be  traveling to the small Nebraska town where my grandmother lives to help her move to a new apartment.  That’s right, new digs (changes) for my awesome grandma who will be 97 in July! !She is most excited and says that she is looking forward to having new appliances and seeing family who is coming to help her move.  I just think it is an interesting coincidence that her favorite TV show ends and she moves from the apartment she has lived in for ?? years to something new… I think she has really gotten the idea that nothing stays the same and change is the only constant….

 

When you finally make the decision to seek help with counseling, you move forward despite many unknowns.  What will it be like, how can it help me sort things out, even whether I will have a comfortable place to sit and be… I have included a picture of  my counseling office to help give you one less unknown to ponder, I hope that you will find it a safe and comfortable place to be…

I recently read an amazing book entitled “My Stroke of Insight” by Jill Bolte-Taylor, Ph.D. Over a couple of weeks, several colleagues and friends kept recommending this book to me.  Because so many were recommending it, I grabbed a copy.  The book chronicles the experiences of a highly respected brain scientist who herself suffers a massive stroke affecting most of the left side of her brain.  Even as the author’s capacity for language, her sense of self (ego) is slipping away, and her brain injury (stroke) progresses, she is able to become an inside observer of all she had spent her life and career to study. Despite the gravity of her physical condition, she finds herself in a blissful, peaceful and expansive “right brain” place. Her description is a spiritual journey which teaches her (and us) about being human. 

 

This book should be read by all for its’ journey of hope and resiliency.  It should also be read to teach and recognize (and act!) on the signs of a stroke:

S = SPEECH, or any problems with language

T = TINGLING, or any numbness in the body

R = REMEMBER, or any problems with memory

O = OFF BALANCE, problems with coordination

K = KILLER HEADACHE

E = EYES, or any problem with vision

A New 4 week Divorce Recovery Group will be starting in Parker on January 22, 2009!

This group will offer support and information for persons going through divorce or relationship break-up. Issues that may be addressed in this small group setting include:

• Common Experiences along the Journey through Divorce 
• Comfort through Chaos- Self Care
• You are Not  Alone- Support Systems through Divorce
• Practical Concerns- Financial, Legal
• Parenting through Divorce
• Gains and Losses- Growth and Grief
• and more!

This group will be facilitated by Julie Uhernik RN, LPC, NCC, a licensed professional counselor in Parker, Colorado.

Dates: January 22, 29 February 5 & 12  Time: 6:30-8 pm

Location: Parker United Methodist Church-11805 S. Pine Dr, Parker Colorado 80134

Childcare provided

Call 303-918-1775 for information or to sign up!

Aromatherapy classes will teach you a natural way to calm, soothe or energize!  The subtle aromas of essential oils can affect your mood and feelings through your sense of smell.  This is a hands on class for learning a natural way to de-stress your day! Participants will create several aromatherapy blends for personal use!

This class is offered through the Town of Parker-Colorado  in the Mainstreet Center  Dates: January 8, 15, 22, 29  Time 6:30- 7:30  For online registration and sign-up visit www.ParkerRec.com and select the online registration icon!

In difficult times it can be easy to get caught up in negativity and listlessness all around but… cultivating a grateful attitude can  slowly bring a shift inside leading to peace, calm and contentment.  Here are some thoughts from wise people that express the importance of gratitude:

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”   Charles Dickens

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living.  If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” Tecumseh

What are you grateful for?

A Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving to you all…..                                                

Julie Uhernik

Hello friends,

I was recently asked if I would share my thoughts as a counselor on the topic of New Years Resolutions.  A local magazine editor wanted me to share with her readers tips on making (and keeping) New Years Resolutions.  Even though I knew that my suggestion was likely not going to be what she was looking for, I went ahead anyway.  I chose to talk about the concept of Mindfulness and how to live in the present moment.  Here’s a brief  insert of what I wrote:

My advice would be for people to relax and not get stressed about
having to write New Years Resolutions! There are new studies out about
the concept of “Mindfulness” and how it can be beneficial for our
health and well-being to let go of our need to plan, focus on and 
attend to the future.  Instead, it is healthy to take time to 
experience and be aware of the present moment. This can be summed up 
by the words of John Lennon “Life is what happens while you are busy
making other plans”.  So instead of wishing others “Happy New Year
2009″, perhaps we should say “Meaningful Present Moments 2009″.

Readers, what do you think?

Divorce Recovery Groups

(Children, Adolescents and Adults)

 

 

A series of Divorce Recovery Groups will be held in Parker beginning in September, 2008:

 

The adult group will provide a 4-week supportive educational class for individuals (with or without children) who are coping with marriage or relationship break-up. The adult class will meet at the same time and same building (in a different office) as the children’s group, however, adults without children are invited to join the class as well.

 

A 6-week divorce recovery group will be held for children (ages 7-11) and another for adolescents (ages 12-16) whose parents are separated, currently going through a divorce or who are divorced.  The child and adolescent groups will focus on coping skills and strategies to help them through this challenging time.

 

Adult Group:

 

Dates:  September 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2008

Time:  9:00am to 10:00am

Cost:  $25.00 per participant per session

Julie Uhernik RN, LPC, NCC

 

 

Child/Adolescent Groups:

 

Dates:  September 6, 13, 20, 27 and October 4 & 11, 2008

Time:  Ages 7 to 11:  9:00am- 10:00am

Ages 12 to 16:  11:00am- 12:00pm

Cost:  $25.00 per participant per session

Amy Maddox, MA, CSPT

 

 

For more information or to register please contact:

 

 

Amy Maddox, MA, CSPT                       Julie Uhernik RN, LPC, NCC

Pikes Peak Counseling                              Faith Counseling Center

19753 East Pikes Peak Court                   19753 East Pikes Peak Court

Suites 102 and 103                                   Suite 202

Parker, CO. 80138                                   Parker, CO. 80138

720-244-0899                                          303-918-1775

pikespeakcounseling@yahoo.com              juliecounseling@comcast.net

www.pikespeakcounseling.com                 www.julieuhernik.com