The seminar I attended was just super. There were 14 people - from Denmark, Holland, England, Ireland, California and me. It was about authentic leadership. I loved learning new skills. One of the exercises used some optical illusions to help us understand how perception alters decision making. I got an image that just looked like a lot of patterns. For the life of me I could not *see* anything in it. No matter how hard I worked at it. The group leader came and told us that it was a dog, a spotted dalmation in there. I still couldn’t see it and then I was really upset because good heavens, I should be able to see a DOG!!!! And everyone else could see it. This was really frustrating. Finally, when we held it 10 feet away, I SAW the dog, yah! I learned that sometimes if you can’t see it, you can’t. And no amount of willing or working will get you to see it. And...just because I cannot see it, does not mean it is not there, LOL. And sometimes, stepping back makes a difference. We will be starting these new classes this week (11/1). Notice that I am doing the Thanksgiving class now. Last year, people LOVED this class and said it really helped them create a whole new tradition. Come join us in a really fun and helpful conversation. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:  Handling the Holidays: Thanksgiving will help you focus on gratitude rather than pie. Learn how to make this day a time of reflection and grace even if Uncle Sandy gets drunk and your sister asks about your weight.
Step 2: Journal, Skillful Use is the next level of journaling. This is for those of you who know *how* and want to learn what to do with your data. This class shows you how to interpret what you have written in an exciting and pragmatic way. Back to Basics 1 is our friendly ole standby for the step 7 folks who hit the wall and wobble around. Come join us if you are concerned about your program. You do not have to be in full-blown relapse. Even if you are just slippin' a bit, come join us. This is a very fun sequence. Everyone loves it. IBD is the second round of the very interesting class on the biochemistry of gut issues. Come learn how IBD/IBS are connected to sugar sensitivity and what you can do to heal. This is a two-week class. YLDweightlossreadiness is the new getting started class for YLD members. We are really excited to do this new format. Come learn how Phase One of your program sets the foundation for your entire weight loss plan. We will be starting these new classes the week of 11/8. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Step 2: Journal, Introduction will teach you the basics of journaling. The class will give you step by step instructions in how to record your food and feelings in a way that gets you excited. Using Radiant Resources of the Community is for those of you who are brand new and would like to find your way around town. Come sit on the top of our double decker bus for a guided tour. And even if you are not brand new, this is a really fun class to reconnect with all the treats of the community. Brain Chemistry: Serotonin is the other of our most popular classes. It helps you make sense of why the potato works, why you have a problem in the winter and how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can play into this. If you munch in your mind, if you are depressed or edgy or feel sad, this is the class for you. Creating Restful Sleep is a new class for those of you who having trouble sleeping. I will give you some ways to sort out what might be going on and some up to date science to help find solutions.
I have posted a new class schedule on line. Click here to see what is planned. A number of you have asked me how the classes work. Check the class list page for more information on this. The classes are done online with one lesson each day. You do not have to be at your computer at any set time. And please go read the questions and answers before you write to me. If you have trouble getting through the process, write the tech forum. Please feel free to pass this week's newsletter on to your friends and family. Don't forget to let me know what you like and would like to see me cover. Be sure to visit our Radiant Recovery® website and Community Forum regularly. Warmly, Kathleen **********************************************************************
October 30. 2006 ** Quote From Kathleen **
When you pay attention to your body, you are sending it a message that it is valuable. If your body feels valuable, it will talk to you more. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
I was just thinking about this the other day! I realized how many phrases I now have in my toolkit compared to when I started. Pusher: "No really, you Must Have Some." The Threat of GastroIntestinal Incident: "Um, not today, tummy upset." Then you give them the really big eyes that makes them imagine the digestive worst. The Scary Athlete in Training: "No really, I need to make weight for the Regionals in Womens Masters JiuJitsu." And give them the fierce-competitor look like they're In Your Way. The Southern Dagger: "Oh, my, you are really making it hard on me, bless your heart"? For those of you not in the know of the American South - you can say harsh things about, or to, another person as long as you also add, "bless their heart." The victim doesn't know whether to be pleased to be blessed, or embarrassed at what they've just been called on. You leave while they puzzle it out. The Too Much Information: "Really? If I have this now, will you be with me this evening when I have massive cravings triggered by the beta-endorphin priming? Will you talk me down? Or will you bring over junk food and be my binge buddy? No? well then get outta my face." Nuff said. The Fake Doctor: "No really, doctor's orders." No doctor in particular (Dr. Kathleen doesn't order us around) so that's why this is fake. The Medical Downer: "No thanks, I don't need any more risk factors for diabetes." This is related to the fake doctor. Usually brings the jovial mood of sharing treats to a crashing halt. Plus it says you're making the choice and I rarely have people continue after that. The Rude Right Back: "Do I look like I need more candy?" This one works best if you're still fat. If I were thin I'd go for the hyper, off-the-wall-with-sugar vibe. The Self-Deprecating Humor: "I've already had my lifetime servings, thanks anyway." This also works if you're fat. It embarrasses them by calling attention to the obvious but also puts you in the "used to be a good old boy" category. The Unsolicited Therapy Intrusion: "Oh, I'm sorry, what feelings are being touched in you by my not having any?" Be sincere with your expression of helping concern. Caution, they might really open up right on the show floor but it might be a teaching moment. I could go on but it's so much fun to make your own! Connie ********************************************************************
**Recipe of the Week**
This recipe comes from Gail. It looks so yummy I thought you would all enjoy trying it out. Pad Thai
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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
We are getting ready for the next getting started class, so if you haven’t signed up, don’t forget. Click here to do so. I have gotten a few questions about YLD recently, so I thought I would reinterate them here. Do I have to be on step 7 to join YLD? No.In fact it is great to come join right at the beginning. YLD gives you a whole level of support you can’t find anywhere else in the community. I don’t need to lose weight. Is there any point in joining? Absolutely. The chats alone are worth the price of joining. It is where you can actively participate in shaping the vision of the community, learn about the latest trends, and just have a terrific time with other members from around the world. If you are not a YLD member, come and join us. Click here if you are ready to change your life or just plain ole have fun. It is not too late to get into the classes if you come right now. ********************************************************* ***********
**David's Corner **
Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
Most of us underestimate the importance of breakfast and try to do all the steps in the first week. When that doesn't work, we begin again. We concentrate on Step 1, breakfast, and find our lives begin to change. The RadiantBreakfast list is a great place to learn the nuances of breakfast, build a strong foundation for the rest of the steps, and find how helpful it is to share our journey with others. It is great for new people and those who have been on the program a long time. Sharing helps everyone. The awesome thing is we all, Step 1 or Step 7, eat breakfast every single day. How cool is that? We'd love it for you to Sign up: We love new members! ********************************************************************
**Josie and the Unicorn** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. This week is a special story. A number of us decided that we wanted to *convert* Halloween from a sugar orgy to a fun, fun party. We decided to have a costume party for the dogs and then take them trick or treating. One of my friends adores my older Golden Retriever named Josie. She asked me if she could make Josie’s costume. I was thrilled. She lives in Boulder so I was given measuring instructions. Neck to tail, girth, space between eyes, space around neck, wrist size, distance across chest. I got regular updates and pictures of the process. The unicorn would have a bonnet with a horn and little ears. The hooves would be little bi-colored booties, the bonnet would have a fabulous mane to match a removable tail. The material was specially chosen. And then the artistry began. It was so much fun to hear how it was progressing. In the middle of the process, I heard that our local boutique dog store was sponsoring a costume contest. I just knew Josie would win. She would be the princess of Albuquerque because I knew she would have such a stunning costume. The costume arrived, carefully packed with tissue and a toilet paper roll around the horn. On Saturday, we were set to get dressed. Josie actually liked it. We had to do a little personalization with safety pins. But we got the hooves in place, got the coats attached, the tail velcroed, and the cap in place. Then she lept on the bed and rolled. The costume survived. Off we went to the contest. There was mighty competition. I felt smug since *those* costumes were bought and of course Josie was decked in a handmade glory. We were number 24. When I took her down the runway, she pranced and when everyone clapped, she almost took a bow. But she did not win. Peter pan and Tinkerbell won. But I want you to see how Josie felt about that. Here she is, with her costume slightly askew. This is radiance. There is nothing more than this smile, this joy in BEING. May we all be taught by smiles like this. 
©Kathleen DesMaisons 2006. Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together: Gretel, the liaison for the recovery list and the webmaster puts it all together Naomi gathers the recipes. David, who runs the Radiant Recovery® Store talks about what new products we have. You are getting the weekly newsletter from Radiant Recovery® in response to your signup. A copy of this newsletter may also be found posted on the web at http://www. radiantrecovery.com/weeklynewsletter.htm. ©2006 by Kathleen DesMaisons . All rights reserved. You are free to use or transmit this article to your ezine or website as long as you leave the content unaltered and use this attribution: "By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. of Radiant Recovery®. Please visit Kathleen's website at http://www.radiantrecovery.com for additional resources on sugar sensitivity and healing addiction." Please notify me at kathleen@radiantrecovery.com to let me know where the material will appear. Banner Photograph by Geraint Smith |
