How many times when you're facing a difficult problem, stress or just looking to keep yourself

occupied do you reach for something tasty to eat? It’s a fact that when we feel at our

weakest emotionally, our cravings for food are the strongest. Furthermore, as discussed in

Dr. John Hagelin’s article, even medical science is now starting to recognise the degree that our emotions affect the way our bodies function. That being the case, it’s reasonable to suggest that if we’re out of balance, then how our body uses what we feed it could cause problems.

It should follow therefore that if we can sort out our emotional well-being, then our bodies will respond by reverting to their own physical blueprint.

From the Flames and Alison of Wordzwork are currently in collaboration to provide a unique way to change yourself using group therapy techniques - discussion, guided imagery, meditation as well as individual support and practical advice.

The 10-week “EAT Programme” in brief will cover aspects such as:

• Failure, Resentment, Guilt, self-Hate.
• Obsession, Comfort & Secret-eating
• Depression, Dishonesty, De-motivation
• Deprivation, Bingeing, Life stresses

Plus many more topics intrinsic to causing the ever-increasing irrational consumption of food and alcohol in our society today.

The comprehensive programme is currently being designed, and is expected to be published within the next 6-weeks, so keep and eye on this site for dates and prices. In the meantime, if you’d like to find out more or request details be sent to you, please contact me or Alison.

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that sooner or later, we’ll all have to deal with the loss of

Someone close to us, and when it happens, it’s a very painful and distressing experience.

Following such and event, you will suffer many kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions,

such as shock, anger, and guilt. You will undoubtedly feel overwhelmed and frightened by them, and will question if and when they will ever end. Rest assured though, they are all perfectly normal reactions, and you can get through it! The only point at which the pain and suffering stops is when we finally accept the situation.

It’s important to understand that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and that the process of reaching acceptance can’t be rushed. It takes as long as it takes, but it’s a huge advantage to have someone help you cope and reach acceptance quicker, particularly if you are having trouble coping. If left unattended, some of the symptoms can lead to depression, significant emotional damage, life-threatening health problems, and in extreme cases, suicide!

Other causes of grief

It isn’t always the loss of someone close to you that creates grief, indeed if someone feels strongly enough about something they’ve lost, the same feelings are experienced.

Some other losses that commonly cause grief are:

• A relationship breakup
• Health
• Job
• Financial stability
• Miscarriage  
• Death of a pet
• Prospects  
• Friendship
• Safety following violence or trauma

As a rule, the more significant the loss, the more intense the effects, but even the most subtle of losses can lead to effects of grief too!

Dependant on the sensitivity of the person, even the most subtle of experiences can lead to grief. Some examples of these are:

• moving home
• Leaving a job, school, college or university or club
• retirement.

It’s for this reason that we often don’t relate the effects back to a loss, and as such, these are the cases where careful consideration and investigation is required at assessment and decisions on a course of action.

Common symptoms of grief.

• Shock, disbelief & denial.
• Sadness, despair, yearning & loneliness – Often given to crying.
• Guilt – Perhaps because it’s felt that the sufferer didn’t do something to prevent the death or loss
• Anger & Resentment.
• Fear, Anxiety & Worry
• Sickness, Weight loss, Sleeplessness and generally unwell.
• Lack of self esteem

If you recognise some or any of the above symptoms in yourself or someone you know, then you it’s as well to keep an eye on the situation and contact me to arrange a consultation to see how we can help.

Before we begin to tackle these two issues, we need to fully understand their

meaning. According to the dictionary, Forgiveness is “the act of excusing for a

fault or offence; pardon, to renounce anger or resentment against”. Doesn’t

help much does it?

The problem is that whether we realise it or not, the very mention of the word strikes fear into every corner of our mind when put into context with elements of our lives..It assaults our conscience, our learned sense of right and wrong..we worry that if we forgive a terrible act, we’re in some way condoning it. Furthermore, it involves emotions such as resentment, and perhaps the most dangerous of all - anger. That’s where our real problem lies, as emotions don’t follow any form of direction from the conscious mind, but are driven by feelings of the heart.

If we could just get past those emotions though, we’d be able to understand that in forgiving, we free-up vast quantities of our energy that can be channelled more productively, thus helping us to reach our life goals and dreams! We also release the hold that person’s behaviour has on our lifes!

According to the Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, “People are not the enemy, Anger is the enemy. Through meditation and self-reflection, you look deeply inside to understand that the other is the victim of violence, injustice and hate. When you begin to understand, compassion is born in your heart and the anger is no longer there. Now it is possible to forgive and not before.”

“Understanding” is therefore the key to overcoming the obstacles of Forgiveness and Resentment. By entering into a programme of help and guidance with me, you will learn how to find a level of understanding in any situation, freeing up more energy to help you realise your dreams and aspirations.