I sometimes introduce myself as YodaNinja. "Yoda on the outside, Ninja on the inside." Outside, I seem calm and composed. When I speak (or write), what I say can be profound, perplexing... or both. But my inner world is another story. Deep inside of me is a Ninja battleground where thoughts, emotions, ideas, and utter randomness all fight for my attention. Every once in a while, they actually cooperate and I have to say, I'm deadly. But then they go at it again... and "Everybody is Kung Fu fighting." I'm a dad, a husband and a guy whose mind has a mind of it's own. My recovery from my addiction to numbing myself (with pretty much anything I can get my hands on) is a lifelong journey. I live with depression, anxiety and adhd... and sometimes they don't get along very well with my family, or with the rest of my life. Professionaly, I make my living as a Counselling Therapist in Edmonton, Canada. I teach on addiction and psychopathology at City University, and I have a small counselling practice where I use superheroes and other geeky stuff to help people make peace with their own personal YodaNinja. This blog is part of my healing and writing keeps me grounded. I hope that something I have written may add a little bit to your journey. Keep it Real
Unworthiness can become both a castle and a prison. The high walls will keep you safe, but they will also keep you inside. For article, “Your Feeling of Unworthiness is Undermining Your Happiness,” click on photo. Photo courtesy of jjfirefox
“You can’t beat addiction out of somebody,” he said. “You can’t yell loud enough to get them to stop. When I was in active addiction, nobody hated me more than me. I despised myself, couldn’t look in the mirror and wanted to die almost every day.” For guest article, “Tough Love Doesn’t Work: A New … More This is Why Tough Love Won’t Work
Last week I had the privilege of being interviewed for the podcast, “Be a King” by Ryan Hall. Ryan is a Creativity Coach, an author and a guy who is doing what he can to make the world a better place. Ryan is also a colleague of mine and he writes for the Good Men … More My Interview for the “Be a King” Podcast
Life can be difficult and at times it may be devastating. We may try to overcome all of our circumstances, emotions and challenges but sometimes the best thing we can do is admit that life is not the same as it was before. For the four responses to our most difficult experiences… and the single … More Admitting that Life Has Changed will Change You!
I keep dragging around what’s bringing me down If I just let go, I’d be set free Holding on Why is everything so heavy? Linkin Park, “Heavy.” • • • The idea that some brains are broken is a myth. Brains don’t become broken. Brains learn as we repeat our experiences and our decisions. Sometimes … More What if Addiction Is Not a Disease and Your Brain isn’t “Broken”?
Your most difficult experiences can be your greatest teachers. For article, “5 Ways That You Will Grow From Your Most Difficult Experiences,” click on photo
Adulthood will replay childhood themes unless you leave behind the belief that you don’t deserve love, kindness, joy and the best life that you can create for yourself. For article, “Your Feeling of Unworthiness is Undermining Your Happiness,” click on photo.
• • • The other day I wrote a post where I asked a question, “Can you fully accept what you are powerless to change?” It’s a difficult question because it is a living question. You have to decide again, again and yet again. It would be great if you could just decide once and … More 10 Things I Accept About 2017
Learning to accept my un-balanced self, un-wholeness, and un-togetherness was one of the best things that I have ever done. for more about how “Trying to Get Your Life Together Will Just Make You More Stuck”, click on photo. Photo by Llima Orosa
Guest Post by Rezzan Hussey • • • The book on which this post is based, the Happiness Trap, features on this list of 35 Life Changing Self-Development Books to Read ASAP. In terms of approaches to dealing with the unbearable suffering of being alive, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers a refreshingly pragmatic solution. As distinct from other … More 10 Things you Need to Know about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Getting High on Recovery 