Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year because it reminds us to give thanks and to count our blessings. Suddenly, so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are.

Joyce Giraud

During the course of my career, I have worked at various Employee Assistance Programs, as well as within direct care. In these roles, I often will get requests for help in finding a Christian counselor. I noticed a while ago that when I ask for more clarity on what exactly people are hoping to find, the answers are usually inconsistent. Generally, I believe it is the hope to find a counselor with shared spiritual beliefs or that may aid in a personal journey on a specific spiritual pathway. However, a lot of the time when I ask individuals for more detail on what they are hoping to find with a Christian counselor, there is a definite degree of uncertainty in regards to what they are looking for:

"I want someone who has moral...

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make everything the best.

IMAGE:  PublicDomainPictures.net

During this time of year there is an increased struggle to get outside and to be active. The cold weather and the shorter daylight hours create a sense of laziness that often results in a decrease in both physical and mental health. One of the best ways to improve your mental wellbeing and to kick the blues is to incorporate your pet into your daily schedule and routine. Treat your pet as your personal trainer and/or motivator. Your pet, especially a dog, can provide you with numerous reasons to stay on...

Forget all the reasons why it won’t work and believe in the one reason why it will. 

Did you know that the first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips?  Or that Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas?  And who would have thought that the word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman?”

Take a look at these fun links below to learn more about this spooky, mysterious day! 

18 Fascinating Halloween Facts You Didn't Know

http://www.womansday.com/life/g485/15-fascinating-halloween-facts-124464/

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The great thing about candy is that it can't be spoiled by the adult world. Candy is innocent. And all Halloween candy pales next to candy corn, if only because candy corn used to appear, like the Great Pumpkin, solely on Halloween.

Rosecrans Baldwin

Halloween can be a fun holiday for all ages to enjoy. There are the costumes, parties, decorations, and of course trick-or treating. Many people have fond memories of Halloween festivities, but not all may enjoy Halloween due to their past traumas. The blood, guts, gore, and even sexualized costumes of Halloween may bring up past memories that are uncomfortable to remember.  Some people can feel re-traumatized: feeling like they are reliving a past event. People may feel extremely anxious during Halloween festivities. They may not be able to differentiate the...

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.

Earl Nightingale

For many of us, reaching the age of retirement is a major accomplishment in our lives. The expectation of working less, enjoying life more, while having the financial means to do so, is hitting the bullseye of senior living! But, hitting this mark is not easy. Changes in our health status, finances, family connections and community can tarnish our "golden years."

As we face the aging process and challenges to maintain a high quality of life, there is an agency that is in place to help us. It’s called the...