The Goodness Chick

This episode isn't about resolutions, rather gifts we owe ourselves to start a new year on the right page. I've compiled a list of 5 Ingredients for a year that's more about a healthier YOU.

You are fantastic, valuable and beautiful. Too often, we lose grasp of those realities. Today is a new day...so let's start finding ways to be healthier, bring color and zest to our lives and stop spinning our wheels in the name of responsibility and guilt.

Every day is a gift, let's embrace it and start this new year in the right direction.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center, located in Colorado. Please visit Fire Mountain's Site for more information on their fantastic program. (https://www.firemountainprograms.com/)

Check out Goodness Chick's Storefront for some of my favorite essential oils and CBD Oil that are part of my daily goodness. (https://goodnesschick.com/)

Mitzvah is a Jewish term that refers to a commandment to do good deeds unto others. Liora Tedgi, the founder of Ohr Meir & Bracha The Terror Victims Support Center (http://www.terror-victims.org.il/, based in Jerusalem) Is the epitome of mitzvah.

I had the privilege of volunteering a few times during my stay in Israel. This program is one fueled by compassion, kindness and seeking to alleviate heart ache and trauma. I was in awe of this program and their mission.

With a new year upon us and 365 days behind us, the choice is ours. How will we respond to personal challenges, difficult seasons in life? Will we step forward seeking to find the positive in all things? Will we choose to spread kindness rather than anger or bitterness?

How we choose to go forward in all chapters of our life has a tremendous influence on our mental health, our outlook on life and the potential we have to impact the lives of others. The choice, my friend, is ours.

I encourage you to visit Liora's website and if you feel lead, feel free to donate to an organization that is spreading mitzvah on a daily basis. If you happen to visit Jerusalem, know you will be welcomed with open arms to donate your time and energy.

Wishing you a new year filled with peace, love and mitzvah.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Program. (https://www.firemountainprograms.com/teen-residential-treatment-center/)

Kalix Jacobson is studying to be a Cantor at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. As a helper in training, Kalix and I discuss the relevance of self care, boundaries and radical positive honesty for those in the helping field. As a new year approaches it's reflecting and reassessing where we are at as helpers and what adjustments are needed to ensure a healthier 2019.

A special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center. www.firemountainprograms.com

My guest, Kristen Caputo, a high school SAC (Student Assistance Counselor) and I chat about the holiday's impact many of our kids in ways we may not take into consideration. Taking their emotions and baggage into consideration as parents, educators, family members, etc. can make a difference at a tough time of year for too many.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center. www.firemountainprograms.com

The Holiday Season isn’t something everyone looks forward to. Whether grief, finances, addiction or the hardships of life it can be tough.

We chat about ideas to spread kindness and be empathetic for those hurting as well as ideas
for our own wellness if we’re experiencing a challenging season in life.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center (http://www.firemountainprograms.com/).

Please visit their site for more information about their dynamic and life altering programs.

When negatives can seem to easily outweigh the positives in today's world happenings it's easy for adults and kids to become desensitized. Placing a face on a refugee, a name to someone who lost everything in a fire or a zip code to a child with a brother battling the demons of addiction... it makes it real.

I had the privilege to spend the day with Stanna Wieckyr, volunteer coordinator for Kofinou We Care (https://www.facebook.com/kofinou/) based at the Kofinou Refugee Center for Asylum Seekers in Cyprus. She lives to serve those who come seeking a new start with opportunities that did not exist in their homeland due to war, political corruption, religious persecution, etc.

It's amazing how we can change lives and impact hearts by being kind, casting compassion on others by allowing them to simply feel human..this episode is not one to be missed.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center (http://www.firemountainprograms.com/).

Please visit their site for more information about their dynamic and life altering programs.

There is a definite pull and tug towards stuff, materials and the crazy stress often tossed upon us when it comes to meeting other's expectations with gifts and goodies. It's the opposite of what the Holidays are supposed to be.

Whether Christmas or Hanukkah, seeking ways to serve others and go beyond ourselves has the ability to transform family dynamics and strengthen character. Check out this week's episode and start coming up with your own personal Holiday Game Plan.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center. Check out
their amazing, life altering programs at www.firemountainprograms.com

Check out Goodness Chick's FB Page for daily encouragement and... goodness!
Facebook.com/GoodnessChick

We all need someone to hear us and allow us to feel heard. Cyprus Samaritan Charity offers that and provides and amazing example of compassion, empathy and kindness.

I chat with John Bingham, Secretary to Cyprus Samaritan, on how we all need someone to listen to us as well as learning how to listen...really listen without casting judgement. Listeners of Samaritan Charity lend an ear to those who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, thoughts of self harm and the emotional list goes on. A program that is run entirely by volunteers this program is part of an underground movement in making mental health a more approachable and acceptable topic nationwide.

Samaritan Charity is run entirely on donations. If you feel lead to contribute to this program, donations can be made via: www.cyprussamaritans.org

Special thanks to our sponsor Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center for making this episode possible. Please head to www.firemountainprograms.com

Addiction's touch is often much closer than we think. When we are able to remove the stigma that too often accompanies what an addict looks like, we remove barriers and empower rather than deter. I talk today with Gail Smith, the founder of the Kenny Smith Foundation.

Please visit The Kenny Smith Freedom Foundation to learn more, stay posted, and donate to a dynamic program.
Their Facebook Page: I'm Standing Up for Kenny (https://www.facebook.com/Standupforkenny/)

Thank you to our Sponsor, Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center. (https://www.firemountainprograms.com/)

Please check them out for information on their program and mission.

Teachers, counselors, nurses, firefighters and the many other fields who wear the hat of 'helper' can often find themselves burning the candle at both ends.

My guest, Lauri Kuosmanen, is one of the founders of the European Conference on Mental Health.

We address the need for helpers to recharge and the importance of finding balance when you're accustomed to serving others needs before your own.

Thank you Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center for being a sponsor of Goodness
Chick! https://www.firemountainprograms.com/