05 Jun

Posted at 17:17h in News by
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I am deeply affected by the recent horrible, racist acts that claimed the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and far too many others in the black community. Over the past few days I’ve spent time thinking about what I want to share, from my heart. I want to acknowledge that in this country, we have a long, sordid history of racism, inequity and injustice. What each of us at CHRIS 180 do, and will continue to do, is acknowledge trauma. Racism, inequity and injustice – both the subtle and blatant...

05 Jun

Posted at 16:05h in Resilience by
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I am new to the CHRIS 180 family, having worked for some time at the now closed Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, I now work at the CHRIS Counseling Center – DeKalb. The counseling center has been in my life since I came to Atlanta for seminary and hospital chaplaincy training at Grady Memorial Hospital. As a clergy person, I spend time leading worship services and funerals. Believing strongly that what we do is deeply spiritual, which is always better done than spoken, it is my privilege to share our...

02 Jun

Posted at 15:24h in Grief and Loss by
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The month of April was difficult for me, both as a human living in the age of a global pandemic, and as a bereaved daughter. April 13, 2020 marked what would have been my mother’s 70th birthday. We lost her suddenly just over four years ago. This was the first year that I did not feel moved to memorialize her on social media as a reminder to the world that she had once graced us with her larger-than-life presence, only to slip away from us quietly in the night. In the...

29 May

Posted at 19:30h in Feelings by
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“I’m getting really tired of being alone,” a friend said, tears flowing down her face. “I’m angry I don’t get to have my graduation ceremony,” a high school student confided. “I’m disappointed we can’t go on the cruise we’ve looked forward to for a year,” someone lamented on a telephone call. What is unusual yet common about these comments? They all focus on feelings…It is as if the horrific death toll juxtaposed with awe-inspiring stories of everyday heroes who live and die serving us all has ignited a volcano of emotions. Our feelings are...

26 May

Posted at 14:03h in Anxiety by
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It is 2 am, you are awake, and your mind is racing. You do not understand how it is you can still be awake. You had a long and exhausting day, you were too tired to even eat dinner. You could not wait to take a shower, and just fall into bed, so you did. That was five hours ago. Since that time, you have tossed and turned, gotten up to go to the bathroom twice, drank a glass of milk, and watched an infomercial. All you have to show...

22 May

Posted at 16:04h in Children by
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We’re all feeling it.  We’re all thinking it.  How much longer will this be our reality?  What can I possibly plan for today that will feel different than yesterday?  Remaining in our homes for extended periods of time is something we’re all trying to adjust to.  Kids get restless and for adults with kids, it’s probably starting to feel like you are not only in the role of caregiver, but also chef, teacher, housekeeper and overall entertainment concierge (insert deep breath here). That pressure and constant feeling of having to...

19 May

Posted at 17:03h in Children by
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The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted many families into a work-from-home model almost overnight and it’s been that way for over two months. This unexpected event for which we were unprepared has created stress in many homes. Parents are seeking a solution to being with their children 24 hours a day while trying to maintain a productive work schedule. There is no perfect solution, but there are simple ways to minimize frustrations and maximize productivity. If you are struggling with productivity, these tips might help! Set a Schedule Having a clear and structured...

15 May

Posted at 14:34h in Anxiety by
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The COVID-19 crisis has been marked by a relentless and sometimes unreliable exposure to news. We are living in the presence of uncertainty, without a sense of direction for recovery. We say “I don’t know” more than not, yet we want to discuss this time of our lives. Most of us feel a heightened sense of anxiety and are frightened about the state of the world and our personal and family safety. It is human nature, when in the presence of such unknowns and without good solution-focused direction, to resort to...

12 May

Posted at 16:33h in Productivity by
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Time is an interesting thing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just ask Spiderman. Days run together,we’re trying to keep our anxiety in check,many things are at a standstill,we’re dedicating time to making sure our basic needs are metand we have extra jobs, like teacher and TikTok star. We have memes and others on social media telling us what we should be doing. If it has never been easier to save lives, then how come some of us are having a hard time with it? If there are so many things we...