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
Are you creating a life or creating distance from life? ___ Whatever creates distance from living can become an addiction. I have found that even healthy practices can make me feel less real, less alive… Our practice of yoga, exercise, suntanning, shopping, social media, enjoying a social drink or writing this blog can each be … More Addiction and the Urge to Create Distance
My mother’s alcoholism trapped her in the middle of two worlds, making her unsure of which way she would go ___ By Alex Camire I was sitting in a chair against the wall of a dimly lit room in the corner of the ER. My mom, who was sobering up and preparing to go to … More Guest Post: A Trauma Informed Approach to Sin
For article, “Maybe it’s Time to Give Yourself the Gift of Closure?” click on the photo. I write articles that talk about the kind of changes I am trying to make in my own life. I hope that my writing also helps you. My topics include addiction and mental health recovery, relationships, and personal growth. … More What is Closure? It is a Living Space
Recovery means learning to pay attention… and when you pay attention, it will pay you back. ___ Last weekend I went to the bank. I didn’t just go through the drive-thru this time, I went in and waited in line. I know, it was a radical act of patience. While I was waiting to do … More Going Slow is the Best Way to Have a Quick Recovery
For article: “Recovery: This is Your Assignment,” click on the photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest and best of my … More Your Creativity is a Path to Recovery
3 Ways that mindfulness can support your recovery from addiction and mental illness ___ Mindfulness. What comes to mind when you read the word mindfulness? For me, mindfulness brings up images of being on a sunny beach, a few puffy clouds in the sky, drenched in sun and sitting on a sandy beach. Maybe that’s … More When Your Mind is a War-Zone, You Become the Casualty
For article, “I’m 78 Years Old and I’m Just Beginning to See Things Clearly,” click on the photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to … More Getting Older is a Gift to Your Recovery
Sometimes we feel unable to do something, anything. We can’t breathe, we genuinely don’t know, we cannot take even one step, we are not ready to accept. And sometimes, saying we are unable can be a defense. Feeling temporarily unable protects us until we are physically and emotionally safe. But feeling that we are permanently … More Are You Unable or Unwilling? Knowing the Difference will Change Your Life
“I hate my parents.” I work with families and teenagers in recovery. I often hear these words or words like them, uttered with bitterness. Sometimes accompanied by tears and distant stares. The words may be directed towards parents or family, ex-lovers, friends… or even drugs. At first, the words are spoken, jabbed like verbal daggers. … More Hate or Hurt?
For article, “Learn How to Embrace the Work of Grace and the Grace of the Work,” Click on the photo. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want … More Your Story Moves, Just Like the Grace of the Dance Floor
Getting High on Recovery 