I came across an old Swedish proverb that really got me thinking. I read it in a great book I highly recommend called “How We Choose To Be Happy” by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks.  The proverb is this: Those who wish to sing always find a song.  I started to think about this.  The idea is that we can decide to be happy.  We can wake up in the morning and decide on happiness, we can go through the moments of our day  pausing to remember our waking intention. We can go to bed at night noting (re-membering) the happy highlights of the day.  As I sat back and read the Sunday paper this afternoon and I saw so much that was negative… I put the paper down and sat outside for a minute, enjoying the first day of daylight savings time and the extra light late in the day.  And remembered my intention…  Those who wish to sing always find a song… 

Greetings in the new year to friends and readers out there. My wish for each of you is to savor wonderful moments with those you love and take a few moments to say thanks for all things in your life… the good things so that you will hold them in your memory and add to that treasure; the not so good so that you have the opportunity to grow and learn and appreciate. May 2008 bring you health and love and happiness!!
Peace, Julie

If you have had unipolar depression and want to be proactive in a way to be free of a relapse–this is the program for you!

A Way to Be Free–A Depression Relapse Prevention Program

This course in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression is available to the residents of the Castle Rock, Parker, Franktown and Elizabeth communities.  The program, beginning in March, is an 8-week program of creating, experiencing and practicing mindfulness skills allowing practitioners to identify and relate skillfully to particular thought patterns that lead to depre ssion.  The approach trains the mind to pay attention in a particular way:  on purpose, in the present moment and without judgment.   See www.awaytobeherenow.com for details.

Boys’ Group

(For Boys Ages 6-10)

This weekly group will cover issues regarding:

*Friendship
*School-related issues
*Boundaries/impulse control
*Joining groups/working in a group setting
*Problem-solving strategies
*Peers/peer pressure
*Stress reduction techniques
*Staying focused at school, home, etc.

This 8-week group will be held on Saturday mornings from 11:00am to 12:00pm starting on January 19, 2008.

$25.00 per session

Please contact Amy Maddox, MA, CSPT at 720.244.0899 if you have any questions or if you would like to sign your son up for this dynamic class.

Divorce Recovery Class

This will be a 4 week workshop begining Wednesday January 8th from 7-9 pm at the Parker United Methodist Church, but open of course to the community.

The workshop will be based on the book “Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends”

People can call PUMC at 303-841-3979 for more information. Numbers for class will be limited so please call the church to reserve a spot

I will be a part of a panel of experts dealing with grief and loss. It starts at 7:00, there will be a breakout time at the end for questions and answers and several different types of resources available.  For a map to PUMC go to their website here:  http://www.parkerumc.org

Thanks,

Julie

Have a question? Need a resource? Suggestion for an article?  Let me know here!

Hello,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Julie Uhernik and I am a Counselor and an RN in private practice in Parker, CO. It is my career, and I believe my calling, to support and encourage people in creating the very best for their lives. Whether it is getting back on track, or even figuring out if there is a track at all, I am honored when I am able to assist!

Indeed, the work I do gives me support and engages me in my own growth and journey as well. I would love to share with you some thoughts on topics that I find interesting and that make me think.

I Hope you will join me regularly!

Julie

Learning to Fly after the Empty Nest

The graduation hugs and well wishes are showered on young people as they head off into a new future and independent (semi?) life. Parents sit back, catch their breath and pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Somewhere in these moments, many parents realize that their active role as a parent is fading, and a new definition of self is emerging to take its place. As with all changes in life, and our general human tendency to resist change, we often sit in a time that is uncomfortable and full of uncertainty. If approached with vision and clear thinking, this can be a fantastic time of personal growth.

Here are some steps you can take to help reacquaint yourself to who you are (in case it got lost in the mommy or daddy shuffle) to optimize growth, and to clarify the direction for your future. First, it is helpful to create a ritual that formally honors the change you are going through. This can be something simple, or more elaborate (we have wonderful graduation parties for our children, how about a get together with other soon- to- be empty nesters)? This can be a great way to reinforce those connections with adults who you always wanted to get to know a little better, but really only had time to talk to in between kids soccer games. Or, maybe a more introspective ritual would help, such as putting together a hopes and dreams scrapbook, with all your thoughts and wishes for your future, or writing your thoughts in a journal.

For those who are action minded, you can take up that hobby you always wanted to try, or perhaps climb your first Colorado fourteener! Whatever you chose, honoring this life change, allowing a few tears and reminisces, and then facing squarely ahead to the future. As a wise parent once told me, “The world is your oyster, go search for the pearl”!

Stress Less During the Holidays
Sunlight Take a five minute outdoor break. Sunlight can help fight the low light wintertime “blues”.
Take time Take fifteen minutes a day just for you and guard that time carefully.
Rest Maintain routine hours of sleep.
Expectations Make a list of all your “shoulds” and your “have-ta’s” then ask yourself “Who says?”
Sensible eating Allow yourself treats but pace yourself.
Spending limits Set your gift ideas before you shop and stick with it.

Laugh Find humor in the middle of frantic. Relax, don’t take it so serious!
Exercise After the big meal, take a walk! You will burn more calories if you walk right away.
Small gifts Think of gifts that are small but meaningful, example: write a story for your child, making him/her the hero, then read or tell your story to them on Christmas Eve.
Spirit Consider what the real Spirit of the Holidays means to you.

Great Tips during the Holidays and for the rest of the year as well.