FINDING ADDICTION'S ROOTS finding our passion
This series of PDFs are free to download, simply send a message on the contact page or at the Birdsong Holistic Facebook page, and I will send you a link to download this fifth download.

This exercise is designed to help you safely explore what the roots of your addictive behaviour may be. Gabor Maté defined addiction as any behavior that is associated with craving and temporary relief, and has long-term negative consequences, and yet a person is not able to give up. In his experience, addiction provides a coping mechanism that helps us to get through another day, or in other words sooths, comforts, distracts or protects us from some sort of pain.

There is a direct link between the energy that drives us towards our purpose and towards our preferred addiction. This quote by Maté helps to explain this, “The difference between passion and addiction is that between a divine spark and a flame that incinerates.” When we know what is driving us to addiction, we can know more about who our inner passionate, creative self is. He also said, “Passion creates, addiction consumes.” This is as much a self exploration, as a way to resolve the reasons for our addictions. 

If you are working with a Homeopath or Naturopath it is also good to understand that addiction is part of your process. It is understood that addictions can suppress our susceptibility and therefore interfere with the action of homeopathic remedies. We can also consciously or unconsciously change the effect of a remedy if we are not ready or resistant to the change that is occurring by increasing or returning to our addictive behaviour. This can slow down or stop the process. This exploration can be very helpful for the continuation of your process.

FORGIVENESS JOURNAL A way to self acceptance
This series of PDFs are free to download, simply send a message on the contact page or at the Birdsong Holistic Facebook page, and I will send you a link to download this fourth free download.

Your 31 day journal is a means to explore, develop and practice forgiveness. Practicing forgiveness is a way to reduce anger, depression and stress and encourage greater feelings of hope, peace, compassion and self confidence.
 
What can happen?

1. Forgiveness is not excusing responsibility but is about taking responsibility for our own lives.
2. Forgiveness is a way to let go of negative thoughts around situations or person that is affecting you so you can find peace and separation from them.
3. Practicing forgiveness leads to healthier relationships with others and ourselves.
4. Forgiveness influences our attitude and opens us to kindness, beauty, and love.
5. Forgiveness is a major stress reducer.
6. Forgiveness helps bring you back into the present instead of dwelling on the past.
7. Forgiveness keeps us in the present moment where joy, peace and gratitude are experienced.
   
   

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
Lewis B. Smedes

The Global or Wholistic approach
This is where a holistic practice such as homeopathy can be helpful. The homeopathic treatment process is similar to the non-leading questions and approach of SRH and allows the person to provide the symptoms and their inner experiences. This creates a complex of symptoms on many levels such as physical, emotional, social and non-physical, that can be assessed as a global state. A homeopathic remedy is doing exactly that, especially a core remedy, helping the body to reach a healthier state globally. In my clinical experience I have seen this first hand.

• A young man who after taking a core remedy had a profound experience when viewing the portrait of his parents hanging in his living room. He was able to see his parents in a new way, embrace them and he no longer felt so rebellious or needing to leave a lot of distance between them and himself. The next time he went to a family function he noticed he was at ease and could enjoy himself, the usual tensions and his inner conflicts were absent.
  
  
• After taking her first ever homeopathic remedy, a woman was able to appreciate her long time husband as her 'knight in shining armour.' That was a lovely moment as they had been married nearly 50 years but had been quarrelling and not communicating pleasantly for a long time.
  
  
• A young woman who was struggling to relate to her alcoholic and depressed father described family get togethers as incompatible personalities fighting over different opinions. There would be little talking but instead accumulated anger and as a protection she withdrew from the family. She felt stuck in the middle as if she had to chose favourites between her two parents. After her core remedy, she was able to see that she does love her father and yet understood that the connection between them was weak since they never took the time to get to know each other. She wondered if she would regret that lack of connection when he died.
  
  
• A woman was frustrated with her mother and had reached a melting point and she no longer wanted to spend any time with her. There was a big argument and she left her parent's house determined never to go back. After taking a remedy she came back for a follow up and said that the situation with her mother had suddenly corrected itself in her mind and things were as they were before the argument. She wanted to spend time with her parents again, she felt they needed her help since they are getting on in years.
  
  
• A mother of a young girl was having a very hard time with her separation from the child's father. It was difficult for her to stand up to him and to express her needs and boundaries. She described it as a war zone and that it was more than she could handle and yet she knew that it also making things difficult for their daughter. After a core remedy she was able to go slower and not make decisions until she knew what she wanted. She no longer felt the intense fear and shame she had felt the past ten years and although she had some things to still work out, she was able to take the space she needed and the communication was more open and honest between them. The father was also committed to seeing a homeopath and working on his own issues to improve the family dynamic.
  
  
• A woman during the session complains about her husband and how much he aggravates her. After taking a remedy she remarks that her husband is no longer doing the behaviour that was driving her so crazy, or at least if he is, it does not seem to bother her so much anymore.
  
  

Although these people had come to see a homeopath for other issues, usually a physical complaint, these relationship improvements were part of the global action of the remedies that the homeopath suggested for them. Relationship is a part of the global assessment we use to confirm that the remedy choice is indeed providing health benefits. Not only do we hope to see improvements in their original chief complaint, but also in their relationships with others and in areas such as their optimism and energy levels.
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It is challenging work to look at ourselves and take responsibility for our part in the way relationships with our family are experienced. It is something we can do however, and each step we take can positively affect the people around us. Here's to more enjoyable and energizing family dinners this holiday season!


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How does holistic treatment support healthy living? Why try homeopathy? Having a life long study in the principles of nature and healthy living, Lauren Trimble is happy to share her knowledge and experience. The art of retuning the body’s natural healing capacity & developing consciousness in a compassionate and gentle way is the gift that homeopathy brings to her current holistic practice. If you enjoyed this article find out more at Birdsong.