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
For the article on how your feeling of unworthiness is undermining your healing and recovery, 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 Walls Will Keep You Safe, But They Will Become Your Prision
Your recovery and healing will go deeper when you drop the But! ___ Is your but giving your problems? Chances are, your “but” (not your butt) is getting in the way of your life and your recovery. Your but-it list You know that your but is giving you troubles when it seeps more and more … More Maybe it’s Time to Get Off Your But?
Anyone can problem solve. But the real talent is in seeing the problems in the first place. ___ Problem-solving is over-rated. Think about it: the problem-finders are the people who change the world. The ability to problem-solve is over-rated. Seeing the problem is where the action is! Scientists are professional problem finders. Young children are the … More Problem Solving is Over-Rated. Try Problem-Finding Instead!
Today is a day to remind yourself that you are perfect just the way you are. “People don’t always show up the way you want them to.” Phillip Seymour Hoffman in The Mockingjay So much of what we do is about changing ourselves, motivating ourselves, managing our time and our energy. We get used to … More Why Do You Go to War Against Yourself?
If you believe that you have an addictive personality, you need to read this ___ “I have an addictive personality.” I have heard that statement many times in my work as an addiction therapist. The term can be thrown around as if it is a diagnosis. People use the term to explain the complex reasons … More Do You Really Have an Addictive Personality?
For the article on how your feeling of unworthiness is undermining your healing and recovery, 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 Recovery from Repeating Your Childhood
For the article on how Zero is the first step in your recovery and healing, 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 You. Are. Worthy. Of. Recovery.
Four reasons why unworthiness will short circuit your healing and recovery ___ How you think is your recovery. Can it really be this simple? Probably not, but recovery is pretty close. How you think about your recovery IS your recovery. Adulthood will replay childhood themes unless you leave behind the belief that you don’t deserve love, … More Your Feeling of Unworthiness is Undermining Your Happiness
Change is hard. Change is elusive. And change is confusing. Confusing? Good therapy is a place where you feel accepted, yet you are pushed to change. You are safe to be who you are, but you also feel safe to change. If you are in recovery and you want to grow and get the most out … More How to be a Great Candidate for Therapy and Healing
For the article on how ZERO is the First Step in Your Recovery and Healing, 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 … More Recovery and The Beginners Mind
Getting High on Recovery 