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Offering Healing, Wholeness and Hope to Those in Need and Educating Others for This Service March 2015
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1814 Clairmont Rd · Decatur GA · 30033 · 404.636.1457 · www.cccgeorgia.org
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FINDING BALANCE
CCCG invites you to a conversation about finding balance as we raise funds and awareness for mental health care.
How do we take what we love and what we need - work, family, friends, community and our individuality - and find the balance to create a healthy place for ourselves along this journey.
This year CCCG hosts community leaders as they share their insights on Finding Balance in their lives. From a parent of three to a busy executive and a newly retired national consultant, we all share the struggle to find balance in our lives.
Our Wonderful Emcee and Fabulous Moderator
CCCG will honor those who stop for a moment and consider the best interest of others, and then put their ideas and intentions into action for a better community, better workplace, and a better life for others.
We hope you will join us! Proceeds from the event will help us deliver mental health services to those who need them most and can afford them least.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
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According to the preponderance of research, only a liar would say that they are always honest. Researcher Bella DePaulo, Ph.D. found that people lie in one out of five daily interactions. Dr. Paul Seager, who studies deceptive psychology, proposes that to some extent, telling lies is a healthy behavior that helps "to keep society running smoothly..." That said, many experts agree that all lies, regardless of degree or motivation, are toxic, because they undermine the "teller's" sense of integrity, while simultaneously eroding the "receiver's" sense of reality and intuition. There are many kinds of lies -- partial truths, lies of omission, exaggerations, white lies, etc. -- and an equally long list of reasons why we lie. Sample motivations for dishonesty include protecting ourselves, protecting others, boosting our egos, and seeking power. With so many reasons to lie, how can we let go of the dishonesty habit and embrace truth? See the story below for inspiration and practical tips! On the flip side, what can we do to reduce the number of lies that are told to us? First, we can foster openness and non-judgment in ourselves, increasing the likelihood that others will trust us with the truth. Another perspective is offered by Pamela Meyer, author of the book Liespotting. She invites us to take responsibility for identifying lies and making it clear to the offender that we don't find dishonesty acceptable. Check out this TED TALK video for more on Liespotting. On the continuum of dishonesty, compulsive lying is the most destructive type of behavior. According to the web site truthaboutdeception.com, lying becomes an escape from discomfort for those with a compulsive issue. "Lying feels right to a compulsive liar. Telling the truth, on the other hand, is difficult and uncomfortable." If you or someone you know has a problem with lying, the counselors at CCCG are here to help. |
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POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY: HONESTY
"If I lose mine honor, I lose myself." -- Shakespeare
There's a reason that honesty is classified as an act of courage by positive psychologists; telling the truth can be scary and uncomfortable -- it takes bravery!
When we tell the truth, we build our sense of personal honor; when we fall short of honesty, we chip away at our felt sense of integrity. The web site positive-living-now.com notes that, "When you pretend to yourself, you cheat yourself of the opportunity to look squarely at the things that you wish were different and to take measures to change them. When you are dishonest with others, you sabotage the trust that's the bedrock condition for any relationship to thrive."
Here's the good news -- honesty can be cultivated. Like building muscles through repetitions, we can practice our way toward becoming honest. Check out this link for specific ways to practice. For a full immersion experience, take the 24 hour truth challenge. Teach youngsters about honesty with help from these tips at education.com and imom.com.
Your strides toward honesty will favorably impact those around you. In the words of Marianne Williamson, "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
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FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness plays a paradoxical role in making peace with physical or emotional abuse. Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness (greatergood.berkeley.edu). Experts agree that forgiveness does not entail denying an offense, minimizing a hurt, or justifying someone's offending actions.
If you have been violated emotionally or physically, holding onto resentment may be harming you more than your perpetrator. Writer Malachy McCourt says, "Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die." Forgiveness is a gift you can give yourself in order to let go of old hurts and restore your vitality. Research links forgiveness to greater spiritual and psychological well-being, reduced anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, stronger immunity, and improved heart health.
Psychologist Everett Worthington, Ph.D., spent his career studying forgiveness and was challenged to practice forgiveness when his mother was murdered. Learn more here about his evidence-based method of acknowledgement and forgiveness, including his free workbook. Note that forgiveness does not necessarily entail reconciliation; even when you have forgiven someone, you may choose to end the relationship, if that is the healthier option.
Are you the one that needs forgiveness? The Mayo Clinic encourages the following:
- Honestly acknowledge the wrongs you've done and how those wrongs have affected others.
- Avoid harsh self-judgment. We are all human.
- Consider admitting your offense to those you've harmed. Speak of your sincere sorrow or regret, and specifically ask for forgiveness.
We can't control whether or not others choose to forgive us, but we can take responsibility for our actions and amend our behavior moving forward.
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
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SAFE KIDS, SAFE CHURCHES
Last month CCCG hosted a SafeChurch Training Class facilitated by Linda Crockett of Samaritan SafeChurch. The goal was to promote awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse. SafeChurch is part of a groundbreaking effort to end child sexual abuse across the United States by building an inclusive, strategic and sustainable movement encompassing diverse secular and faith-based organizations.
Linda designed and developed Samaritan SafeChurch in 2011 with support from the Ms. Foundation for Women. The 20 hour, 3-day training and was attended by ordained and lay leaders from a broad spectrum of theological traditions across Georgia. Participants are now equipped to facilitate a SafeChurch process in their own congregations.
SafeChurch is Samaritan's unique process of helping congregations generate proactive engagement of adults to protect children from sexual harm - not only at church, but in the communities where we live, work, play and go to school. CCCG has committed to be the meeting place or "Hub" for facilitators to pass along what they've learned. For more information please contact Tom VanLaningham at 404.636.1457 ext 403 or tvanlaningham@cccgeorgia.org.
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CCCG cannot do this work without YOUR support.
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Question: What is the magic number that makes a difference?
Answer: You get to decide.
For as little as $10 a month YOU CAN make a difference!
Your donation each month helps a teen who is struggling with depression, the family trying manage monthly chemo, and the adult in chronic pain learning to cope with the medications and constant health disappointments.
Make a donation today!
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Make a donation in honor of a friend or family member and we'll send them a card acknowledging your thoughtfulness.
Thank you for your generous support!
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Girl Time, Gurl Talk - A group for teen girls providing support and education. Learn how to handle stress, managing feelings and changing moods, and teen self-care practices and routines. With Angela Mendez, LPC, Saturdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., $20 per group. Contact Angela at 404-636-1457 x 438, amendez@cccgeorgia.org.
Premarital Workshop - At The Cathedral of St. Philip (Atlanta) with Doyle Hamilton - upcoming dates include March 21st, April 18th, May 9th, June 13th, July 11, & August 8th, 2015. $150 per couple.
Click here for a complete listing of all CCCG groups and workshops.
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We invite you to Register your Kroger card and a % goes to CCCG every time you shop. 
You can also use Amazon Smiles to shop on Amazon. Just using this link will make a big difference to CCCG, but is the same great site for you. 
Easy-Peasy. You got this! Easy-Peasy.
You got this!
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(404) 636-1457
www.cccgeorgia.org
When faced with daily life challenges, it can be hard to distinguish a real problem from a normal struggle everyone faces at some point. In either case, working with a professional counselor can be a positive, healthful experience.
If you or a loved one are dealing with issues that might benefit from speaking with a counselor, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
And join our growing Facebook and Twitter Community. Get tips on mental health, wellness,new groups and workshops, and some positive inspiration.
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 Care and Counseling Center of Georgia HEALING- CCCG Chaplains meet the needs of people who experience crisis, loss or pain in several of the metro Atlanta hospitals, hospices, and prisons. HOPE - CCCG Counselors and residents with an integration of sound clinical practice and deep understanding and respect for the sacred self are trained and serve those of every age, gender, race, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and ethnic background. CCCG works with the community to raise funds which allow us to make our services affordable to all. EDUCATION - CCCG educates resident counselors and chaplains to serve in places where lives are falling between the cracks and trains them to help bring healing and hope in to those in need. For more Information go to www.cccgeorgia.org |
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