Monthly Archives: December 2011

Occasionally during the Holidays, we are so concerned with gifts, shopping, baking, crafting, parties, and decorating that we forget the most important task… taking care of ourselves. Multi-tasking and eating are what my Holidays typically consist of. However, this year is different. I’ve managed to exercise almost daily, journal, meditate, eat a healthy diet, enjoy time with friends and family, rest, and attend my support groups. I know… this sounds crazy. But, all it takes is a plan.

Each week I open up my calendar – if you are reading this blog, chances are your iPad, laptop, or phone has the calendar application. I allot time each day for my most important activities. I “schedule” everything from times to work, to meetings, to my yoga classes. I print the calendar and post it all over my house, so I can hold myself accountable. The past few weeks have possibly been the best I’ve had all of 2011.

By putting myself and my own recovery first, I am peaceful, grateful, and calm. I find “what is right” rather than “what is wrong.” I am able to prioritize my life, and yes, ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.

May you all be merry and bright!

‎”Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world” – George Bernard Shaw

CF

Recently. the team at Ferguson BHC was fortunate enough to visit English Mountain Recovery (EMR) in the beautiful mountains of Sevierville, Tennessee. Executive Director, David Cunningham, gave us an amazing and thoughtful tour of this warm facility.  It was so refreshing to visit a program full of love, for not only their clients, but their staff and the surrounding environment.

For more information on English Mountain Recovery, visit:

http://www.emrecovery.org/

Spent some time traveling around and learning more about our field. Here’s a quick snap of Mike Ferguson and Jennifer Graham of Second Nature Wilderness Programs at the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders. Mike sits on the board for C4 Recovery Solutions, the group that puts on the conference.

Had the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon with colleague Dr. Mark Burdick and Shayne and Sheri Gallagher, founders of Wingate Wilderness Therapy. A terrific wilderness program and such a great visit.

Over the last two months, our team has been very busy, visiting residential, therapeutic and aftercare resources all over the country. We’ve visited program therapists and staff at PCH Treatment Center, Cirque Lodge, Second Nature, Mountainside, Mountainview Recovery, and Alta Mira. We also had the opportunity to have a great visit at Lifeskills of South Florida and look forward to doing more work together. While in Florida, we also visited Hanley Center and met with the staff of Wings, a consulting group in Boston. Near the end of October, we visited English Mountain Recovery and played in a golf tournament supporting Next Step Recovery, a not-for-profit sober living group that supports both men and women leaving primary treatment.

Our team looks forward to continuing our work with these and other providers in the upcoming months.