Fast, Fast, Fast

That is how the next few weeks before Christmas will go. Shopping, wrapping, delivering presents and again making sure you have all the right food on hand for the family and friend that are coming. Shop until you drop has a new meaning at this time of the year, especially on Black Friday. We can get all tangled up in these things that we forget to spend any time thinking about the real reason of Christmas. It is interesting to me that this great holiday follows one of thanksgiving. Christmas is also a time to be very thankful. If God did not give us His son there would be no Christmas. But most of all there would be no redeeming for our soul. That is the greatest of all presents. As we run here and there taking care of the important things for the great celebration of giving don't forget to give thanks to God. Don't run so fast you pass Him right by.

Be Thankful Every Day

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving Day a time to reflect on what we are thankful for. I would like to suggest that we practice this celebration every day. I think it would be good to keep in mind how thankful we are to our families and friends three hundred and sixty five days a year. They are here for us more than just the one day a year. Let us work at letting them know how much that means to us on regular bases. I don't mean by the great dinner that was shared yesterday but in other ways. Surprise them out of the blue to send a card or call just letting them know you are thinking about them. Invite them out for coffee or in my case diet coke for no reason. Or just go over and visit because you just want to be around them.

I also would like to invite you to join me in being thankful for the little things that others do as well. If you don't look for it you might pass it right by and not even notice but it is out there every day. It could be as simple as someone holding the door open for you. Don't overlook the kid that does it for you. I will tell you it will make their day that an adult took time to notice the good deed. My granddaughter has held the door open for many adults the smile she wears for the rest of the day after someone tells her thank you is priceless.

Everyone wants to be appreciated and cared about all the time let's decide to make every day Thanksgiving.

Who is your family?

When I think of the holidays that are celebrated at this time of the year my mind goes to family. That can cause an unnerving feeling to come over my whole body if I only dwell on the family I was born into. Consequently I do not dwell on that family. I think about the wonderful family my husband and I have together. We have two wonderful sons who each have great families of their own. I also think about a couple we met thirty-two years ago. She is like a sister to me. Her family and mine have had many terrific times together. We have also had some very sad times. Although we do not get to see each other often it does not change the closeness we share. I know if we need her and her husband they would be there for us. Also if they need us we would be there for them as well. They are a huge part of my family. Sometimes we cannot seem to see beyond the family we grew up in. That can be a very harmful thing if your family was abusive. I challenge you to put
aside those harmful people in your life. Embrace those people that really love you as your family. It will make a big difference in the whole way you see the holiday as well as the rest of your life. Who will you allow to be in your family?

What A Friend!!!

I had a wonderful friend that died a few years ago. I think of him often. There are days I would like to just pick up the phone and call him just to chat. He was my pastor; he entered my life when I was six. He pastored a little country church that had a bus ministry. When our family moved into the area he came and asked our parents if we could come to his church. I am extremely thankful for that day when my parents said yes. Over the years as I attended church I watch and listened to him very carefully. He shared Gods love through sermons but more importantly he shared by his life. He lived what he preached. Through many hard times he encouraged me to hold onto God and keep praying for Gods will in my life. What a great friend!! This is the time of the year we seem to express how thankful we are for others. I am very thankful that God put this man in my life. I think God puts loving people like that is our lives to help us better understand Him. I
trust that as you think back over the years of your life you will remember a great friend like mine. If they are living just send them out a little thank you, you might be surprised at how much that will mean to them. Thank you my dear friend, Joe.

Praise for Glenda L. Hunter from Dr. Jan C. Lemon

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to recommend Glenda Hunter as a wonderful speaker to share her outstanding story of courage and triumph. She truly sheds light on the misunderstood topic of Dissociative Identity Disorder and provides a venue unlike any other in the area of psychotherapy.

As a professor, I am always looking for ways to add to my curriculum with special guest. Mrs. Hunter has been to my counseling supervision class every year, and she brings such a personal account of her journey back to psychological health after years of torment. She helps other understand the core reasons for her disorder, and how certain issues in her life led to the development of multiple personalities that would become a part of her life.

She is very open about her early abuse, which is very interesting and educational for graduate students in counseling. She shares what was helpful in her journey and what treatments were not advantageous. Many of our current treatments, especially those that are provided in institutional facilities, are more detrimental than helpful.  Glenda shares in detail how she got through the therapy, worked through the issues, and embraced the integration process.

Mrs. Hunter is so inspirational and talks about looking at ourselves and our circumstances differently. She gives everyone something to reflect upon and brings in a strong element of personal faith.  As part of her healing, she shares how important it is to understand self-acceptance and self-worth.  The audience is inspired with hope, courage, and insight.

Please let me know if you need any other information. I believe that Glenda Hunter would enrich your audience and provide an excellent program

Sincerely,



Jan C. Lemon, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, NCSD
Assistant Professor