Rick Hanson, PhD is a psychologist, author, and expert on positive neuroplasticity, who developed thisbook from his popular online course called The Foundations of Well-Being. In Resilient, he discusses 12different ‘tools’ which help activate inner strength and resilience of character. Each tool is a separatechapter, so I skipped around to chapters I particularly liked such as “Courage” and “Aspiration”. Thebook …
Five years ago, on Christmas Eve, my fifteen-year battle with addiction reached a critical breaking point. I was detoxing during a family gathering on my aunt and uncle’s couch after days of consecutive cocaine use, numbing myself with counterfeit pills I later discovered were laced with opiates, purchased from my dealer. My grandma turned to me and asked, “Are you …
While Stephen Porges is considered the father of Polyvagal Theory (PVT), author and clinician Deb Danais considered the leader in putting PVT concepts into practice. She believes that we all benefit when wehave a basic understanding of the way the nervous system works. In Anchored, Deb guides the reader to“befriend” your nervous system and use your “vagal brake” through exercises …
It is September 1 st of 2018; Labor Day weekend was meant to be spent in Rhode Island amongst longtime friends. Sun-soaked days at the beach followed by cooler nights around a fire pit. That was not how the weekend unfolded. Instead, it was spent lying in a hospital bed with pancreatitis. I would go on to spend almost a …
Patrick Kennedy, who already authored a book about his own and his family’s challenges with mental health and substance use (Common Struggle), has crafted another touching book, written in the style of his uncle John F’s book Profiles in Courage. In this Profiles, there are 12 untold stories of individuals who struggled with their mental health and addiction. Included in these stories are …
My name is Aidan, and I’m an addict. I grew up in New Canaan, to a single mother. Growingup I felt rather anxious, I didn’t have a lot of friends, and I got diagnosed with depression,anxiety and ADHD at a young age. Instant gratification was something I latched onto early. Mythoughts were intense and critical, I obsessed over what people …
Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction: Recovery, Love and Loss, by David MageeDavid Magee is an incredible storyteller, who shares the story of his personal journey in this page-turnerof a book. Written in tribute to his son William, who died of an overdose, David recounts how addictionimpacted him and his relationships all throughout his life. With respect to his …
I am a truly grateful, recovering alcoholic. I am 60 years old and have cumulatively been sober 32 years with one relapse. Last month, I celebrated 6 years of continuous sobriety with the validation, love, and support of my groups. My groups, including 12-step groups, have been crucial to me. Alcoholism is a disease of loneliness, and I have found …
The August 29, 2024 New Canaan Vigil was a success because of storytelling, specifically through ourline-up of speakers who shared their recovery journeys in a very open and authentic way. They allreceived standing ovations because of what we called “The Power of Story”, or in Ty Bennett’s book ThePower of Storytelling. Neuroscientists have proven long ago that people who hear …
Hi, my name is Cini Shaw, and I am in recovery. I was born and raised in Peter Cooper Village on the lower east side of Manhattan. My mother was orphaned at the age of 7, marrying my father in her early 20’s. My parents divorced when I was 4 yrs old because of my father’s drinking and erratic and …
