Reminder: January 27th RPLYT Newsletter

 

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Robyn and me with lots of training and speaking engagements. We thought we would send you an email highlighting a couple of events we were part of and a few that are coming up. As well, we included as well as our weekly offerings and upcoming workshops. Take care, Charlotte Canada Life Workplace Strategies for Mental Health On January 18th Robyn and I participated in a Webinar with Mary Ann Baynton (the "godmother of psychological health and safety). We discussed helping you recognize that self-care isn’t selfish and learn how to support family members and encourage your co-workers. Caring to Cope Through Covid Creative Confident Happy Kids Summit This Weekend January 30th - February 1st Robyn and I are so pleased that we are part of an amazing event that Lois Brothers created called Creative Confident Happy Kids. Robyn and Lois spoke on Demystifying the many misconceptions of mental health issues and I talked about the parallel process, when one member of the family is struggling it affects all members of the family. We both talked about the power of peer support and how it is a great addition to our recovery story. Here is the line up of all the speakers and the link to Lois' event website: Creative Confident Happy Kids The Hue Crew Virtual Chat Weekly on Tuesdays from 11:30am - 12:30pm CST, Robyn and I as well as Kirsten join the Hue Virtual Chat. This is a weekly show, hosted by Tracy Koga and joined by a panel of amazing women. We talk about everything and of course, mental health. This can be viewed live Tuesdays on Facebook or on You Tube. I like Hue Facebook link or on I Like Hue Virtual Chat YouTube Link Charlotte Appeared on Global TV Winnipeg's Morning Show On January 18th, I was asked to be part of the Morning Show on Global TV Winnipeg. I talked mental health and how when one member of the family is struggling, it affects all members of the family. I also got the opportunity to talk about how Blue Monday got its name. Link to the Morning Show on Global Peer Support Worker, Tyrone Gamble Talks on his Experience with Parallel Realities Parallel Realities: Misunderstood and Untapped Human Potential on Thursday, February 18th from 12:00pm – 1:30 pm   There is no one way of seeing and experiencing reality. Reality is experienced on a continuum. Those who experience the extreme end of the continuum are often misunderstood, feared and shunned in Western Culture. How it has been responded to has changed and transformed over time. It has been seen as a curse, illness, divine gift, demonic possession, etc. Currently it is seen from a medical model point of view- Psychosis. We will discuss how it has been understood throughout history and in various cultures. Through this journey we will come to a newfound wisdom of parallel realities and way of interacting with those who experience the extreme end of the reality continuum.  To register for this webinar, please use this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/parallel-realities-misunderstood-and-untapped-human-potential-tickets-137341840141 Parallel Realities: Misunderstood and Untapped Human Potential Tickets, Thu, 18 Feb 2021 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite Eventbrite - Ontario Peer Development Initiative presents Parallel Realities: Misunderstood and Untapped Human Potential - Thursday, 18 February 2021 - Find event and ticket information. www.eventbrite.ca New Tool you may be Interested in for Anxiety Kirsten and I were recommended this website by a psychologist friend of ours for parents and children who are struggling with Anxiety. It was created by the singer song writer Jewel as well as psychologists and I love what their mission statement includes: "your personal road map to help you calm anxiety and access your own inner knowing so you can learn to make happiness a habit". I have been exploring the website for myself and am enjoying what I see. To check out this website, please click below. Jewel Never Broken Upcoming Training Intro to Peer Staff Supervisor Training: We have heard your requests for more Supervisor training and are pleased to announce that we are offering. Introduction to Peer Staff Supervision 6-hour training over two sessions February 22nd & 23rd 9:00am -12:00pm CST Online on Zoom $150.00 plus gst/hst per person to attend For more information Online Peer Support Group Facilitator Training: This is for peer supporters, caregivers, family members who would like to facilitate groups.   10 Session Course  May 3 - 14 (once a day for 2 weeks) Time 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT $375.00 plus gst/hst per person to attend For more information Upcoming Courses, Workshops and Peer Support Groups Our RPLYT Approach Sessions are starting again in February and they fill up fast. These courses are great for any family member, co-worker or friend supporting someone who might be struggling as well as just wonderful courses to take to improve how you interact with people. Join Robyn and our facilitators and see how the RPLYT Approach works in your life. The RPLYT Approach Session 1: Values and language behind compassionate and empathetic supporting Date: February 8 or March 8 $45 to attend the two-hour session The RPLYT Approach Session 2: What is really underneath or in the way: Supporting with understanding and looking at our biases Date: February 12 or March 11 $45 to attend the two-hour session The RPLYT Approach Session 3: Looking at how to really be in a conversation Date: February 17 or March 15 $45 to attend the two-hour session The RPLYT Approach Session 4: Taking the RPLYT Approach and using it in everyday life. Prerequisite Sessions 1 - 3 Dates: February 11, 19, or March 18 $45 to attend the two-hour session Understanding Homelessness: Treating People like People Dates: March 3rd $45.00 to attend the two-hour session All IN Peer Support for Families: Please check out our free ONLINE Workshops and Peer Support Groups for Families as well. For more information, please click below: All IN Online Workshops: 2-part Online workshops every third Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. Three workshops to chose from Free to anyone Online Peer Support for Parents & for Families: Every 1st Wednesday of each month for parents Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month for families Free to attend Check out our newest addition to supporting families. Our downloadable workshops that you can do on your time. Kirsten, Robyn and I are so excited about the responses we are getting from these new downloadable workshops. Families are finding these to be great resources. All IN Downloadable Workshops for Families: These are downloadable workshops with video and workbook $20.00 for the workshop, 6 to chose from Mention to us what organization referred you and we will send them a $5.00 donation. Let us know what you think and we look forward to seeing you Online And please share this email with your friends and family. We are always welcoming new people to join.  ‌  ‌  ‌ Take care, Charlotte and Robyn Co-creators at Robyn Priest LIVE YOUR TRUTH 204-295-5077 Robyn Priest LIVE YOUR TRUTH | Website  ‌  ‌  ‌

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Monday Thoughts 2/1/2021

“What if the journey to being, the infinite being who you truly are, is the greatest adventure you will ever go on?”  ~~Anonymous “Just stick to the ordinary circumstances without labeling them ordinary.  Be open to them with no desire to change them in any way.  They are, in fact, already magical and miraculous.”  ~~Francis Lucille “Happiness is a matter of one’s most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.”  ~~Iris Murdoch #6 Life can be ordinary or it can be great. Greatness is mine by a conscious effort. One of the hallmarks of addiction is the feeling of lack or never enough. At its core, this can feel overwhelmingly like “I am never enough” which is untrue. This often played out in the form of drama or the desire to rush through something in order to get somewhere else.  Rarely ever content with the moment, I sought out greater distraction or mounting drama.  Alcohol was the only tool in my toolbox during this time and it never fixed anything.  However, sobriety and recovery change everything. In our WFS Program booklet it states “Although we only get a one-way ticket through life, we speed through our days as if planning to enjoy them at another time.  We live as if we have an endless number of tomorrows.”  Statement #6 practiced daily can open the door to being present.  Experiencing the moment as it is with each of the senses bonds us to that moment and lays a foundation for feelings of fulfillment.  Today, even in the midst of a global pandemic, there are tools available to engage us in the present moment.  First, begin with the knowledge that the present moment is always here.  It is always within reach and it looks and feels different for everyone.  Here are 10 ways to connect to the present moment from Karson McGinley which was posted on Chopra.com: 1. Listening Meditation Start where you are. Take a moment while sitting at your desk, taking a break at work, or even eating in a restaurant while your tablemate is in the bathroom. Practice experiencing each sound as it happens, without trying to judge it, label it, or push it away. If you find yourself getting irritated by the sounds around you (e.g., “I’m trying to write an article here; why won’t that dog stop barking?”), try using the sounds as a tool for mindfulness. Bind your consciousness to the sounds as an indication of what is happening during the exact moment you are in. Over time, your attitude toward the sounds around you will change from annoyances to opportunities for awareness. 2. Keep a Journal Start your days or end your nights with an investigation into your thoughts and feelings. You may numb out on alcohol, drugs, television, or other distractions and miss the opportunity to uncover what your feelings are trying to actually tell you. Feelings do not just go away if left unacknowledged, so take a few minutes several times a week to work through what’s going on with you on the inside. Bear witness to how the emotions shift as you shine the light of awareness on them; they always pass. Mindfulness in this way means giving your emotions the attention they deserve, the way you would to a friend or family member. 3. Eye Gazing Gaze into the eyes of your baby, a pet, or a partner who’s willing. Depending on who you share this experience with, you may find silent eye contact to be awkward at first, but consider the benefits of social connection and truly being seen. Sustained eye contact has the ability to remind you that you are not alone, that you are one with other beings, and are deeper than your external appearances. Eye contact with a baby or small child strengthens the bond you share. Locking eyes with your cat or dog taps you in to the inherent presence of animals in any situation (inspiring, indeed). And if you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, lingering on the reflection of your own eyes can help you to experience self-compassion and self-love.  4. Object Meditation Yes, this is a meditation that is often done during a formal practice, but how many other ways can you merge with the object of your concentration? Try sitting at your kitchen table and look at—really look—at the food on your plate. Notice the colors, the textures, and the arrangement on the plate. The idea is to concentrate on something that perhaps you never fully contemplate—a flickering candle, a small piece of artwork, or even your own hands. You don’t have to stare at it for long, just a few seconds can bring you deeper into the moment you’re in. 5. Be One with Nature As you walk your dog, stroll to the end of your driveway to pick up the paper, or go for a run in your neighborhood, practice fully embracing the nature around you. The myriad types of trees, the colors of the flowers, the smell of the ocean, and the twinkling of the stars are all invitations to be one with the now. Take a few extra minutes here and there to really receive the healing vibrations of the earth, and you’ll feel an inner settling that will bring you back to center. 6. Switch Up Your Routine When you become complacent in your routines, it easy to go on autopilot. If you notice yourself arriving to work without remembrance of the commute, take a different route going home and become a tourist in your own city. Want to slow down your eating habits and really savor your food? Try eating with your non-dominant hand. Have you grown attached to the same spot in your group exercise or yoga class? Move to a different part of the room and get a fresh perspective. Simple acts that shake up your routine help you to experience the newness of your familiar activities, thereby calling for an increased sense of presence. 7. Drive in Silence Speaking of your commute, try experiencing a quiet drive, practicing mouna, or sacred silence in the car. Give yourself time to decompress from your day or allow yourself to be silent so you can take in the sights around you. When approached this way, your daily commute from here to there becomes a mindfulness act in and of itself; no time is wasted or taken for granted. If you find yourself mindlessly listening to the radio as background noise, switch it up by alternating your audiobooks, podcasts, and playlists with silent drives to slow things down and be alone with yourself. 8. Unplug from Technology It may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning that the simple act of disconnecting from your devices can bring you right back to where you are. Anytime you are working on a computer, using a smart phone, watching TV, or checking social media, your attention is pulled outward, away from the moment you are in. In fact, most people feel nervous or flat out incapable of being alone with “nothing to do.” When was the last time you sat in the waiting room at the doctor’s office without distracting yourself with some form of entertainment? What about sitting in perfect awareness during an airplane flight or a train ride? (Re)train yourself to be tech-free, at the very least for the first and last hour of the day. Better yet, unplug for an entire day every week or month. It can act like a reboot to your hard drive. 9. Create Pauses Consider the pace of your life and work pauses into your daily rhythm. Before responding to a question, for example, pause and then answer. Before taking another bite of your meal, pause and really taste what is in your mouth. Recognize when things trigger you to become reactive and challenge yourself to pause amidst the inner conflict. Perhaps it is when a certain person tells you what to do, when you feel judged, or when things feel rushed. Try taking a pause, a purposeful moment of recalibration, and check in with the moment you’re in. A single breath in a moment of pause can create just enough space to notice your tendencies and make more mindful choices. 10. Connect to Your Senses It only takes a moment but connecting to your senses will help you make a memory more effectively than taking a picture. When you find yourself in a moment you want to remember (e.g., you child’s first steps, a beautiful hot air balloon floating through the sky, or your first in-person view of the Grand Canyon), take the time to drop in to each of your sensory experiences. What is the smell? What is the temperature? What is the taste of the air? What are the sounds? What are the colors? What are the details of what you see? When you take the time to really honor your experiences by paying attention to the details, you create mental snapshots that can last a lifetime. Hugzzz Karen Hi 4C Women, After I read Karen’s message last night, I woke up this morning and as I glanced out the window, I saw the most beautiful sunrise colors peeking through the blinds.  As I opened the blinds more fully, I just stared in awe and understood Karen’s message of being in the moment, to pause, really see what is right in front of me.  I love all of the tools she has shared with us.  Switching up your routine is a wonderful way to be aware.   There are times when I got lost (before GPS) and marveled at places that I would have never discovered if I was on a familiar route.  Years ago, I was in the audience of the Sally Jessy Raphael show with guest, John Bradshaw, counselor and author.  He asked the audience members to write a letter in their less dominant hand to someone who caused hurt and letting them know the depths of pain caused by it.  I wrote a letter to my bio father and it was amazing how using a less dominant hand made me pause as I focused to write the words in my heart onto paper.  It was cathartic.  A few years ago, I attended a Mindfulness workshop at the WFS conference.  In fact, I attended it two years in a row!  We selected a partner and we did an exercise with our eyes closed and then the eye gazing exercise.  It was intense and brought up a lot of feelings that quite surprised me and opened up a thoughtful conversation with my partner.   I have driven to PA/NJ many years to visit family and the in-person WFS conference and tried driving in silence.  It was quite challenging and I sometimes found myself in tears from the memories of living in those states, missing my family and friends, knowing I’d be seeing them soon.  Another time, I cried because my daughter had been released from the hospital and although she was fine staying at my home and my granddaughter was close by, I hated leaving her.  I organized the most detailed plans to provide support during my absence.  Then I from sadness to anger because my ex lived only 45 minutes away and was quite uncooperative.  I realized that silence was definitely a means to opening up my feelings.  Not always comfortable but quite authentic.   The last tool in Karen’s amazing toolbox is connecting to your senses.  I am going to practice this as I feel it will create an intentional way of being in the moment.  What a powerful impact on a memory I am wanting to hold onto but never had a way such as this to utilize.     Karen's last comment is the perfect way to end this message - When you take the time to really honor your experiences by paying attention to the details, you create mental snapshots that can last a lifetime. Bonded through practicing these tools in creating greatness by a conscious effort, Dee

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