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
I Asked My Friends and a Troll One Question: “Does Christmas Matter to You?” The Results Surprised Me. ___ If you want to stir the ant hill of Facebook, just ask people what they think about Christmas. I did and the results were both fun and disturbing… I guess that’s Funturbing. No matter what we believe, the season is about giving … More 7 Reasons Why Christmas Should Still Matter to You
When Your Tidings are not Glad, it Can Just Feel Sad ___ A Season of Sad Things The holidays can be difficult. Some of us are alone or isolated. Others feel painful feelings of grief and loss or experience mental illness. Some may have a job or a life we are not happy with, or we may have no … More The 12 Gifts That Will Help You With Your Holiday Sadness
Before you write off Facebook, stop: The person on the other end be more complex than you think. ___ I think we should create a social media platform where you can begin a discussion on one topic and then the conversation becomes wildly inappropriate and stupidly personal. And the longer you stay in a conversation, the more people … More How Facebook Changed My Mind About Mental Illness
When you are in recovery, sometimes you are going to get wet. The only question is how quickly will you get back into the boat? ◊O◊ My son came home mad the other day. He was angry. “Assholes on the bus….” he muttered. He talked and I listened as he poured out his rage and his … More Addiction: What Can You Do When You Blow Your Recovery?
So excited that Some Talk of You and Me published this piece.
Sometimes you don’t want to talk and you just want to do something. Art therapy may be exactly what you need for better mental health. ___ I felt like dying. Really. My depression and anxiety had crippled me and I needed to see a therapist. Therapy helps, but talking may be overrated. I have had several therapists … More When You Need Therapy, First Reach for the Crayons
I fell in love in Junior High, not with a girl but with my imagination. That was the year I began my infatuation with writing. ___ It was grade eight and whenever I was asked to write a story, my mind went into overdrive. Writing was my way of getting high… it still is. Writing is great, but … More This is Why I Write: Because it Changes Me
Remember that when you shave, you are shaving for men everywhere. Shaving has a history that will change your future. ___ Shaving Has a History I am told that the first to shave were the Neanderthals. The hairy beasts among the group were slower, less aerodynamic and more easily thrown off their balance due to the … More Son, This is How Shaving Will Set You Free
Starting, not Quitting is the Hardest Thing About Recovery. ____ How has addiction impacted you and your family? For me, it is easy to say that my father drank heavily and that I consider him an addict. It is easy to point a finger about his drinking, his anger, his abuse. An Addiction to Easy? I … More Addiction: The Hardest Thing About Recovery
Do you wonder if you have Adult ADHD? This post is for you. Here is your opportunity to laugh, cry and be moved to take action. ___ Ever been stunned by something in a Facebook forum? Recently I read a post about an ADHD newsletter. The tag line was for those “Who have ADHD or ADHD tendencies.” That caught my attention, … More 8 Things You Can Do if Adult ADHD has Friended You
Getting High on Recovery 