Lent: At the Base of Golgatha

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Which Sacrifice is Better: Self Imposed or Inflicted?

Lent begins next week for the Eastern Catholic Church on Monday and for the Western Church as a whole on Wednesday.  While there are many regulations and ideas regarding fasting, days of abstinence and sacrifice, we will focus on a deeper spiritual idea today.  If you are interested in regulatory issues, please review blogs from last year that are archived, but this year I would rather focus on a deeper mystical issues.   Issues that Christian Counseling should look at as true methods for spiritual growth instead of merely giving something up and “grumbling about it for forty days”.
The first concept lies in obedience.  So many times, in Lent, we choose our own “demise”.  We pick to give up chocolate, television, or radio as our means of sacrifice.  While this has merit and is not discouraged, it should not be our primary and sole purpose of Lenten sacrifice.  Instead, let us focus on the small and trivial things that come before us without our consent.  The annoying individual or the small ache can all be utilized as sacrifice to God.  In obedience we accept what God gives us and then offer it up to the Lord.  In fact, we offer all our pains and irritations up to Christ at the foot of Golgatha, as he prepares to carry our crosses.  When we unite our pains with Christ, he gains merit for us and others.
So yes, voluntary sacrifice is important, as well as mandatory fasting, but the biggest impact may be in the unexpected and unwanted sacrifice that comes our way.  In obedience and charity we can make these things the biggest sacrifices for this Lent.
Tied to this obedience will grow a closer union with God.  This is the purpose of Lent!  The great mystics, St. Teresa of Avilla and St. John of the Cross all emphasized in their mystical theologies, the importance of union with God.  Obedience was always central in their teaching.  Through Lent, we exercise the first step of that union via purgation.  Sacrifice enables the soul to purge itself of the false idols of this world and enter into a state where the soul becomes pure and more able to receive illumination, which then leads to unity.
This Lent, let us purge ourselves, but not only by our chosen end but by whatever God may send us.  This is truly the heavy cross–and much heavier than self imposed penance.  If we wish to emulate Christ, we must realize his sacrifice was not his choice but one he accepted via obedience.  Christ was not able to pick or choose a way he would redeem us but was ultimately given only one choice and he accepted that cross.  Let our Lenten sacrifices also include the unexpected cross that God may give us.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling, then please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA

Wondering How You Could Be Releasing Stress?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise Is A Key In Releasing Stress

Some people are naturally more inclined to feel stressed out than others, but stress is something that can happen to everyone depending on the situation. You do not need to feel hopeless if you’re currently feeling the strain. Check out the tips in this article and work to fight that stress that’s bogging you down.
Talking to someone about the stress you’re feeling, can help you feel much better. You might find that the person you’re talking to can help you think of ways to de-stress, or help you come up with ways to solve any problems that you might be having.
Get organized. By getting yourself organized, you can cut down on the feelings of stress you feel from being overwhelmed. To fight that feeling, make a list of what you need to do each day. Follow your list and you won’t forget anything. What’s more, you won’t feel stress from wondering whether you are getting everything done.
To reduce stress in your life, learn how to say no. Oftentimes people want to please everyone, yet that is not possible. Learning to say no will reduce the amount of stress you feel, even if you may feel slightly guilty. In the long run reducing your activities will help your stress levels.

Lady on an exercise machine
Releasing Stress via exercise?

A cup of hot tea can be very relaxing in and of itself, plus all of the herbal remedies that can be added into them. A nice cup of hot chocolate is also a very relaxing thing to sip and enjoy. Find a nice hot beverage and snuggle up on the couch.
A great tip that can help you keep your stress levels down is to stop procrastinating. If you have projects that need to be completed, you should make sure you finish them on time. Procrastinating might feel comfortable at first, but it will ultimately lead to a lot of stress.
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress in your life is by shutting off the evening news. Today’s news broadcasts are typically filled with nothing but doom and gloom, making them anything but uplifting. In fact, they can leave you feeling downright stressed out and worried. Instead, try skimming the news headlines online to stay informed. Just don’t allow yourself to get bogged down in all the details.
Stay focused on one thing at a time. Focus your mind on only one goal to be accomplished at once. Large projects are more stressful because there are more decisions to make. If you can break that one large project down into little projects and focus on them individually you will be able to tackle the task at hand with less stress.
Be silly! Acting a little silly or crazy can remove you from a stressful situation. Do something that makes you laugh and helps you to forget about your stress for a few minutes. Research shows that smiling and laughing, even if it is fake can help to take some stress away.
A great tip that can help you keep your stress down is to draw or paint something. Drawing and painting are great ways to fight stress because you focus on being creative. It’s a great way to keep your mind off of certain things and you’ll also have some art to show off.
In order to deal with stress effectively, you should take time out of your daily activities to give yourself a mini self-massage. Gently rubbing the palm of your hand in a circular motion has been shown to promote relaxation which in turn is a great way to reduce stress levels.
Releasing Stress can have a tremendous effect on the amount and types of food that we eat. We may have the tendency to gorge on junk food when we are stressed. Our stomachs may be so upset by the stress that we can barely eat anything. Either reaction is potentially dangerous. Minimizing your stress level can radically improve your dietary choices.
Even if you only deal with stress on occasion, the tips you’ve just read here can help you to eliminate it altogether. Please, if you do have problems with stress, use these tips to fight it before that stress takes hold of you and causes bigger problems. Your emotional state is nothing to trifle with.

Learning More About Christian Counseling: Solitude and Silence in Christian Life

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: The Life of Solitude in Christian Thought

Christians Counselors and Mystics understand the value of solitude and peace.  St. Teresa of Avila found it essential in contemplative formation.  Solitude is in many ways, the spiritual fortress Christians retreat to in order to heal and reconvene with their master, Christ.  As St. Teresa learned though, Christian solitude while necessary for formation is only temporary, for the Gospel of Christ is a social Gospel to spread and care for one’s brothers and sisters.  Christ recreates us with his grace and utilizes us for his purpose.  Solitude and peace is only temporary for it is the forging period of one’s soul to later make disciples of all nations.

How Does Solitude Help

Solitude frees one from the occasions of sin and the noises of the world.  It removes the social character of our human nature and forces one to look deep within.  The spiritual mirror of our soul does not lie or offer excuses, it reflects what we truly are.  In contemplation of solitude, our soul wears no mask or pretends to be something it is not, for we are confronted with what we truly are.  We  are stripped of our colors and fronts and exposed for all our weakness.  In this solittude, we discover truth and in truth we discover humility.
In this stricken moment, the soul in solitude can only look one place for comfort and peace; Christ.  Christ acknowledges what we are but through his grace elevates us and transforms us.  As a sword being forged, in solitude, Christ forges us.  He speaks to us, elevates us and transforms us into his disciples.
Without solitude and peace, we cannot find ourselves.  We will always be distracted by the world and its lies.  We will not find who we truly are because we will be too busy trying to be someone else.  Solitude gives us that opportunity to find ourselves.
Christian Counselors should recommend retreats for their spiritual children.  At  retreat, a person has time to fall back from the world and focus on one’s spiritual and true self.  They can see what wrong turns they may have made and correct these faults.  Most importantly, people can reconnect with Christ and truly see what matters most.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian counseling, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA

Support for Pet Loss Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Support Groups for Pet Loss Grief?

With pet grief being one of the most forgotten griefs, grassroot groups within local areas are beginning to answer the call to pet loss grief.

The article “Humane Society starts grief group for support when pets die”, by Khalil AIHajal states

“The Michigan Humane Society is establishing a support group for grieving pet owners.  The Detroit-area animal welfare group announced Friday that it’s creating an opportunity for people who have lost pets to speak openly about their experiences and share photos and mementos.”

To read the entire article, please click here

To learn more about pet loss grief, and Support for Pet Loss Grief please click here

AIHCP

Stress Management Massage?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Massage for Stress Management

Where do you think you would send your partner to get the best massage? Why don’t you just do it yourself? There are plenty of stress management techniques and strategies available that can make it to where your hands are the ones your partner needs. Keep reading to learn more about giving the best massages.
Make sure you drink plenty of water before getting a massage. You can certainly get dehydrated before a massage, so it is important that you have enough fluids in your system. There is no magic number of glasses you should drink, but just make sure you feel hydrated enough or you could feel dizzy and tired after your massage.

A person receiving a massage.
Stress Management can be as easy as a Massage!

If you feel dizzy or odd in any way, make sure that you sit down and take a breather. Sometimes, the amount of blood flow and circulation after a massage is much higher than usual, which could cause your mind to blackout for a second. Take your time and relax until you feel like you are back to normal.
If you feel as though your complexion is looking a little dull, or you are noticing little wrinkles forming in places around your face, you do not have to run to the plastic surgeon! Giving yourself a daily face massage will promote blood flow to your skin, brightening it up and making those wrinkles virtually disappear.
If you are looking for a fun activity you can do with your significant other, plan a day for two at the spa. Some spas will give you an interesting discount if you bring a guest and even have rooms with more than one massage table so you can talk with your friend or partner while getting a massage.
One of the most enjoyable bonding activities between baby and parent, or other loved one, is a massage. Just grab a bottle of baby oil, take off your jewelry and make sure your hands are warm, and start at the top or bottom. Anything you do is likely to be enjoyable if you’re gentle.
How much should you tip a masseuse? If you’re at a hotel or a local spa, 20% is pretty standard. If they work from home, each therapist will typically set their own policies, but 20% is fair. If they work in a massage clinic, ask them for their rules – some will include the tip in the price.
Be as communicative as possible. Remember, massage is a personal thing and it used to reduce stress, but you are still in partnership with your therapist! He or she needs to understand what is working for you and what areas need more attention. Without that information, you may get a mediocre massage that’s not worth the time or financial investment.
If your partner needs a deep massage, use your body weight to help. Massaging strictly with your hands can get exhausting very fast, making the massage less enjoyable for the both of you. When you put some weight into it, it is easier to go deeper and provide a longer massage experience.
If you have any medical conditions, such as you are pregnant, make sure that you let your massage therapist know. Some techniques may not be appropriate for your condition, so it is best to let the therapist know before starting. This will give him or her enough time to adjust techniques.
Do not perform a massage on skin that is broken, blistered or otherwise compromised. You may make the situation worse, spread infection and harm your patient. Work around the region or wait until the flesh has healed. Remember, you want to benefit your patient, not harm them with your massage.
Make sure that your massage therapist is registered in your state. If your massage therapist is not properly registered and insured, then you are at risk of being left to fend for yourself if they were to cause injury to you during their work. Do not worry about being rude, ask for proof so that you can be confident that you are in responsible hands.
It’s time to realize that you are ready to give great massages. Don’t doubt what you know, and instead, go try out the techniques. No longer will you feel lost as you use your hands to give the best massage. Remember that you’ve read, and continue to learn more as you wow your partner.
If you want to learn more about stress management then you should visit our website.

PreLenten Sundays and Preparation for the Great Fast

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: Preparation for Lent from the Perspective of the East

Prior to the start of the Great Fast, the Eastern Church in particular prepares itself through four Pre-Lenten Sunday themes.  These themes are associated with fasting, forgiveness and judgment and are also Sundays that celebrate items that will be denied during the Fast.  Christian Counselors who have knowledge of Eastern ideals can also help you understand these celebrations.
The first Sunday is the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.  In this story, Eastern Catholics and Orthodox Christians are shown the importance of humility in fasting.  God rejects pride and one’s ego and will only accept sacrifices in humility.
The second Sunday is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.  This biblical parable tells of how the irresponsible son returned to his father after years of neglect.  It emphasizes God’s forgiveness but also entices us to realize that God’s love is always there but it is us through our own fall nature that keeps that love out of our life.  Our exile is self imposed and all we need to do is return to God and he will accept us and shower us with his love.
The third Sunday is the Sunday of the Last Judgment.  This Sunday emphasizes how those who refuse to love their fellow neighbor will face damnation.  Christ in this classic story prophesies how he will ask everyone how they treated their fellow neighbor and when they did or did not, they did or did not to him.  This Sunday also celebrates Meatfare Sunday as the last day before the great Fast in which they can eat meat.
The final Sunday is the Sunday of Forgiveness.  This Sunday illustrates how we must fast in private and not advertise the world our suffering.  Instead Christ teaches that we should clean ourselves and hide our fasting for only the Father needs to know of our good deeds.  Christ also emphasizes in the Gospel during that week how if we forgive others how we will also receive forgiveness.  This Sunday also celebrates Cheesefare Sunday where the last day of dairy consumption is permitted before the start of the Great Fast.
These four Sundays prepare Eastern Christians for Clean Monday or the first day of Lent, which is a complete day of Abstinence from dairy and meat.  Of course, Latin or Western Catholic do not begin their Lenten journey, two days later on Ash Wednesday.  While the Eastern Catholics and Orthodox Christians share the same feasts, they fall on different days as well since the Eastern Catholics share the Gregorian Calendar unlike the Orthodox who follow the Julian calendar.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling or Lenten themes, please review the site and also keep in mind, there is a library of resources on Lent from last year, just merely go to February and March of 2012 to find other related articles.
If you would like to learn where to take Christian Counseling Courses, then please also review our program.

Mark Moran, MA

Grief and Bereavement Counseling Program: Depression or Just Grief?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Grief Counseling Helps Diagnose Between True and Untrue Depression

As the bereavement process is better understood, many misdiagnosed cases of depression have been identified.  Clinical counselors are beginning to understand the nature of grief more and more as grief counseling becomes a more prominent field.

Paula Span writes about this in the New York Times in her article, “Grief Over New Depression Diagnosis”
To read the entire article, please click here

To review the grief and bereavement counseling program, please click here

AIHCP

Learning more about Case Management with Obamacare!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Case Managers and Understanding Obamacare

Case Managers need to understand future implications of Obamacare on alternative medications.

WMBFnews, a NBC affiliate writes that other forms of medicine once considered alternative could be covered under Obamacare.  This topic is covered in the article, “Obamacare to Cover Acupuncture, Alternative Medicine”

“Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as “Obamacare,” what is now called alternative medicine may become as accessible and as widely accepted as conventional medicine.”

To read the entire article, please click here

If you are interested in learning more about case management, then please click here
AIHCP

funeral service associates: Cremation on the Rise

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Funeral Service Associates:  Growth in Cremation

Funeral  Service Associates have begun to see a large growth in the option of cremation over traditional Western burial.  Many reasons have influenced this change.

Tyler Mathisen of NBCNEWS.com talks about these changes in his article, ‘Cremation Is The Hottest Trend In The Funeral Industry”
To read the article click here

If you are interested in funeral service associates certifications, please click here

AIHCP

Grieving During the Civil War

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Grief of the Civil War

The Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in American History.  The death and suffering that followed in its footprints left numerous families grief stricken.  The article below discusses the cultural and social issues and how families handled the grief of the Civil War.

The article, “Examination: Death and Dying During the Civil War: Drew Faust At The Countway Library of Medicine”, by Lisa Haushofer states

“Some of us would claim not to be frightened of death, but would admit to concern about the end of life. This anxiety, Drew Faust explains in front of a packed Carl Walter Amphitheater on December 13, 2012, is hardly a new one. The notion of how to manage death with dignity – how to die a good death – may have undergone professionalization in the last few decades, with journals, associations and training programs for palliative care.”

To read the entire article, please click here

If you are interested in grief counseling courses, please review the program and click here
If you want to learn how to become certified in grief counseling training, then please review.

AIHCP