"Common Characteristics Of Healthy People"

You've heard "The Common Characteristics Of Adult Children". So what are of "The Common Characteristics Of Healthy People"?

Here's what one version of Recovery looks like:


1. I do not guess at what normal is. I know.

2. I follow projects through from beginning to end.

3. I tell the truth on subjects both important and trivial.

4. I do not judge myself or others.

5. I know how to have fun.

6. I do not take myself too seriously.

7. Having intimate relationships comes naturally to me.

8. I take changes over which I have no control in stride and accommodate them without added stress.

9. My need for constant approval and affirmation is a distant memory. I give approval and affirmation to myself and others.

10. I AM different from other people, in very special ways.

11. I live a life of balance, being responsible for my actions and letting others be responsible for theirs.

12. I am extremely loyal to those that deserve it.

13. I am not impulsive but I am spontaneous!


If you find that reading a particular one of these makes you uncomfortable or bothers you, you may want to focus on it and ask yourself why. Where are those feelings coming from? Challenge yourself to explore what's holding you back. Allowing yourself to experience the source of your discomfort may help you to be more aware of it and in time, overcome it.

Check out the Orange County ACA website at: Orange County Adult Children

How We Get Addicted

Time Magazine July 5, 2007

Stress can increase the desire for drugs. In rats trained to self-administer a substance, stressors such as a new environment, an unfamiliar cage mate or a change in daily routine push the animals to depend on the substance even more.

Stress can also alter the way the brain thinks, particularly the way it contemplates the consequences of actions. Recall the last time you found yourself in a stressful situation--when you were scared, nervous or threatened. Your brain tuned out everything besides whatever it was that was frightening you--the familiar fight-or-flight mode. "The part of the prefrontal cortex that is involved in deliberative cognition is shut down by stress," says Vocci. "It's supposed to be, but it's even more inhibited in substance abusers." A less responsive prefrontal cortex sets up addicts to be more impulsive as well.

Evidence is building to support the 90-day rehabilitation model, which was stumbled upon by AA (new members are advised to attend a meeting a day for the first 90 days) and is the duration of a typical stint in a drug-treatment program. It turns out that this is just about how long it takes for the brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of a drug.

Read the full article here: Time Magazine- How We Get Addicted


Check out the Orange County ACA website at: Orange County Adult Children

The Fable Of The Donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Check out the Orange County ACA website at: Orange County Adult Children

Reduce Your Stress Instantly!

From "The Healing Power of Being Human Newsletter" by Ron Matthews

Here’s a way to reduce your stress level almost instantly and see your circumstances with a clearer perspective.

In your forehead, above the eyes and just below the hairline
there are points called Neuro-Vascular points. Simply holding
these points with your fingers will re-program your nervous
system to stop firing a crisis response to life’s ordinary daily
stresses.

By doing this regularly you will be more able to think clearly
and cope effectively, even when life gets stressful!

Simply lay your fingers gently onto your forehead at the
Frontal Eminences – the bumps on your forehead that are
right above your eyes. It helps if you can lean forward and
rest your elbows on a table or desk while doing this.

Hold your fingers there, think about the source of
your stress, and breathe deeply and slowly for about
three – to – five minutes. That’s it!

Try it. You’ll begin to view the stresses in your life with a
fresh outlook and usually a more creative mind.

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Dr. Townsend on codependency, need and love:





Check out the Orange County ACA website at: Orange County Adult Children