Desiring Change - When Money is Tight

Saying a Prayer of Gratitude and Trust

Bills keep coming to our house.  Monthly insurance, house payments, credit cards, groceries, car payments and on and on.  There seems to be more money going out than coming in.  

There is a provision that is more than money.

Reading the news, I see that many people are getting laid off, gas prices are skyrocketing, milk is $4.00 or more a gallon.  Medical insurance is almost price prohibitive . . . our family's insurance is many times more than our house payment. People are choosing to not have medical insurance because they cannot afford it. Let's face it - life costs!

What do you do when money is tight?

I have read all the cost cutting books.  I pay God first, use coupons, discounts, shop at Goodwill, market on Ebay, have garage sales and look for ways to save money and reduce our costs.  Still . . . it seems there is not enough money at the end of the month and sometimes in the middle of the month.

As a person of faith, when there is not enough money for the day, I believe I am being tested.  Will I trust God to provide for all my needs?  

If God is my provider, and I am the steward of my possessions, than I need to trust that He will give me what I need . . . maybe not what I want . . . .but what I need. 

When I consider today - just today . . . I am able to say . . .today I have a roof over my head.  I am in good health.  I have food in the cabinets.  I have a family who loves me.  I have a car to drive.  I am blessed.

My prayer of gratitude today:

Thank you God for providing for me today.  

I will trust that you will provide for me 

in the future, too.  I know you care for the birds in the air . . . 

I will believe that you will take care of me too.  

I love you.

Your child . . . Susan

www.stages2change.com

Top 10 Benefits of Online Counseling

Rethinking the Way to Receive Counseling

Imagine yourself going to a counselor.  

The first step: find a good counselor.  

Second step: make an appointment - getting an appointment may take 1 - 3 weeks.  

Third step: mapquest directions to the office.  

Fourth step:  meet with the counselor - face to face.  

Today counseling methods are being rethought.  Advances in technology have opened doors so counseling can be provided through the internet, email, chat and on the telephone.  Online counseling has been around for over a decade.  Counselors are rethinking online counseling and realizing it is a viable method of providing therapy to their clients.

Why is online counseling becoming more popular?

On line counseling allows flexibility

I think it is because we have come into an age where the internet and social media are primary methods of communication.  Let's face it, old and young are now connected to mobile devices.  It is the norm to have a cell phones.  We live in a world of smart phones, tablets, laptop computers, Facebook, Skype, IM, Twitter, Wii, etc.  There is an increasing consumer  demand to provide services through the internet. 

After several years as an "in person only" face to face counselor,I have rethought my methods of providing counseling.  Today, I primarily provide online counseling.   My focus is as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Online counselors have a variety of specialties. 

You, or someone you know, may be interested in learning more about online counseling.  I created a list of ten benefits of online counseling. 

On-Line Counseling . . .

1. provides counseling with a professional counselor.

2. is available for isolated and mobile populations.

3. allows anonymity. 

On line counseling is helpful if you live in a rural community. 

4. is convenient and flexible - you can send an email question or schedule an appointment on your time schedule.
5. may include email allowing you to ask thought out questions and receive answers that can be read . . . . over and over. 
6. websites often provide free resources you can view on your mobile device.
7. is great for the person who enjoys the written word and video interaction. 

8. uses convenient and secure payment through online payment and PayPal.
9. is cost friendly - especially since you do not have to travel to meet with your counselor.

10. is a comfortable and relaxing way to interact with a counselor.

It is important to note that online counseling is not for everyone.  
For example, it is not for the person in crisis or suicidal, or who requires in person care.  

If you are looking for a counselor and you travel, live in a rural or isolated community, are shy, home bound, want to avoid social stigma, and wanted flexibility online counseling may be for you. 

To learn more about online counseling, to schedule a free 30 minute consultation or view free resources on recovery topics check out my web page: www.stages2change.com.

 

Chewing a Fentanyl Patch to Death

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is sold on the streets as heroin or mixed with heroin.  Looking for a high, addicts will buy used patches and chew or suck on the remaining gel.  

Domino Harvey daughter of Screen Star Laurence 

"Life at the Top" Oscar nominated Actor Laurence Harvey's daughter Domino Harvey was 35 years old when she died of an accidental overdose on Fentanyl. 

Virginian Barry Duncan died after chewing on a Fentanyl patch.  He was only 23 years old.   (http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/282256)

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate used as an anesthesia and pain medication.  Physicians prescribe Fentanyl intravenously, as a patch or in a pill form to patients with severe and chronic pain.  The following are some things to understand about the drug Fentanyl.

* Belgian Dr. Paul Janssen designed Fentanyl in the 1950s. 

* Fentanyl was first used as an IV drug in hospitals  in the 1960s.

* Fentanyl is a Schedule II Classified drug.

* Fentanyl is 80 times more powerful than morphine.

* Fentanyl is a narcotic and may cause drug dependency.

* Fentanyl is frequently abused.

* Prescription names: Actiq, Sublimaze, Duragesic.

* Slang or street names: Shug, China Girl, Apache, Great Bear, Murder 8, Jackpot, Goodfellas

* Fentanyl abuse includes IV use, snorting and smoking of the drug.  

According to the National Institutes of Health, "Fentanyl and other opiod drugs work by binding to the body's opiate receptors, highly concentrated in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions.  When opiate drugs bind to these receptors, they can drive up dopamine levels in the brain's reward areas, producing a state of euphoria and relaxation."  

Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug and should only be used under a doctor's care and with patients who have a tolerance for opiates.  Fentanyl has serious side effects which include slow shallow breathing, overdose, and drug dependency.  

To read more on Fentanyl overdose:   http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/437/fentanyl.shtml

www.stages2change.com

Emergency Landing at the Children's Hospital

Why Mothers Are Against Drunk Driving

I am spending the night in a city hotel where I have a view of the Children's Hospital.  I first realized I was near the hospital when a helicopter flew over and landed at the hospital.  Tonight while I was working on my computer, I could hear the stuttering noise of the helicopter engine preparing to take off.  That noise flooded my mind with memories.

Helicopter Pad at a Children's Hospital.

Several years ago, I worked as a Chaplain Intern in a hospital. I was assigned to work in the trauma room which is where the most critically injured patients are treated upon arrival to the Emergency Room.   We had a trauma helicopter crew who would life flight patients to the hospital.  It was my job to notify family members that their loved one was in the hospital.  

I will never forget one spring evening, four teenagers were brought into the Emergency Room.  They were on the way to the prom when a truck t-boned their car at an intersection.  The young driver of the car suffered a brain injury and was close to death.  I remember the phone call I made to his mother.  She was visiting another state. She was riding in the back of a cab when she answered the phone.  I informed her that her son had not made it to the prom that night.  I could hear her fear through the phone.  She was able to find a flight home. Her son was kept alive until they were reunited.  He died shortly after her visit.   

Four teenagers on their way to a prom,  full of anticipation for the evening's events.  They were innocent to the dangers of the evening.  They did not expect to have a fatal car crash with an intoxicated driver.  

I hear the helicopter arriving at the hospital as I am typing.  I am wondering who they will retrieve tonight.  Is it a young child?  I am thinking of the family and the terror they must feel to have their loved one helicoptered to the hospital.  

Quietly, I say a prayer for this family . . .  asking God for grace.

www.stages2change.com