Answer frequently, once in a while, or never to the following:

1. You have trouble getting out of bed in the morning?

2. You want to sleep all the time.

3. You have been thinking of suicide.

4. Nothing seems interesting.

5. You are no longer attracted to your partner, and you don’t know why.

6. Little things upset you more than they should.

7. You can’t find a job doing what you want to do.

8. You keep getting into fights with friends and breaking off friendships.

9. You can’t make up your mind about important things.

10. You’ve had a series of accidents or minor illnesses.

11. You go on buying sprees, getting things you don’t need.

12. Your allergies are getting worse.

13. You can’t sleep at night.

14. You’re eating (drinking, smoking, fighting, etc.) more than is good for you.

15. You burst into tears without knowing why.

16. You are afraid to be alone.

17. You find it hard to make new friends.

You should strongly consider therapy if you answered “once in a while” for ten or more of the above, or “frequently” for three or more.

Friends in Recovery

ISBN 0-941405-12-5

Amazon link

Barefoot on Holy Ground: Twelve Lessons In Spiritual Craftsmanship

Gloria Karpinski

ISBN 0-345-43509-5

Amazon link

Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life

Gregg Levoy

ISBN 0-609-80370-0

Amazon link

The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for Living Your Best Life

Marianne Williamson

ISBN 0-06061-611-7

Amazon link

The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World’s Religions

Wayne Teasdale

ISBN 1-57731-102-7

Amazon link

Ordinary People as Monks and Mystics: Lifestyles for Self-Discovery

Marsha Sinetar

ISBN 0-8091-2773-3

Amazon link

Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path Through Stress and Spirituality

Brian Luke Seaward

ISBN 0-471-67999-2

Amazon link

Simplicity: Finding Peace By Uncluttering Your Life.

Kim Thomas

ISBN 0-8054-1853-9

Amazon link

A Soulworker’s Companion: A Year of Spirituality Discovery

Betty Clare Mofatt

ISBN 1-885171-11-0

Amazon link

Stand Like Mountain Flow Like Water

Brian Luke Seaward

ISBN 1-55874-462-2

Amazon link

Groups are the recognized best method for people to gain information and acceptance from others. One of the main underpinings of AA is that all members are peers. Anyone has the opportunity to share and to be heard.

In the self-discovery model of group healing, everyone in the group is a student. The sharing of power in relationships defines the health of the relationship. No hierarchy is needed when people enter groups to help each other. The leadership of the group can be shared by all on a rotation basis.

The group members in the self-discovery group may decide to choose a rotation schedule. The main goal of the group may be short-term with the idea of splitting up to form new groups. Some people may choose to recycle–repeat the same group–before branching out to their own group. After 2-3 times recycling, the other group members may help with the formation of new group to a group member who wants to continue in her/his first group.

Self-discovery groups are easy to organize with Squidoo. Squidoo is free and is designed for any lensmaster (which you become by publishing one lens) to be able to start his/her own group. I have started a Changemaker group in Squidoo open to anyone. If you have questions, post them in the Changemaker group.

All the Squidoo groups are listed here. Check out how other groups look and incorporate into the Changemaker group. For now, I will act as moderator so that I can answer questions. But in the near future, I will sharing leadership with anyone who wants to join.