Blink.

I was thinking to myself today that the holiday season is just a blink away...(WAIT....Don't freak!) Keep reading...  

For so many people, this time of year is absolutely lovely; for others, it requires a purchase of tums (or something stronger) at every turn. The planning, the shopping, the gatherings...-fun (for the most part), but potentially stressful (and *ahem* let me put my 'Psychotherapist hat' on for a minute)- your body CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE between stress, anxiety,  (negative energy) and anticipation, excitement, (positive energy), etc. It STILL ignites the General Adaptation Syndrome, which (in short) makes your body work a lot harder to get through whatever you're facing. Over long periods of time, this leads to chronic fatigue and exhaustion (trust me...I know). [Hat off].  

SO: Here are two super-cool ways to deal with HOWEVER you're feeling about the upcoming season, and it includes a team of three: you, Arbonne and me.   

1) LET ME ASSIST YOU IN YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!: Start considering your 'who-to-buy-for' list now, keeping in mind that Arbonne's Holiday Catalog (and changes on the Website) comes out as of SEPTEMBER 1st!!!  

-I can email to you a pre-made excel spreadsheet to fill out for info including the person's name, position in your life (for lack of a better term, lol), Gender (just in case), and the max amount you would like to spend on this person (this sheet remains ONLY between us). 

For example, using myself:  
Megan / 3rd grade teacher / F / $15  

That's it! This is a HUGE time saver for you, and I LOVE shopping for other people! We have items for everyone! Men, women, babies, mothers-to-be (or mothers-just-had), teachers, students returning to, or starting school in the Spring semester, young girls who are just starting to use make-up, women who LOVE make-up (and will absolutely look like rockstars in our gorgeous line of cosmetics), neighbors...the ideas are endless!!! Many products are even coming in their own BEAUTIFUL boxes, so there is no need to wrap on your part! ANOTHER HUGE TIME SAVER!!!   I will get you every bonus that you are offered and earn based on how much you want to spend, AND by becoming a Preferred Client for a one-time fee of $29 you will get 20% off your purchases for a whole year, INCLUDING THIS INITIAL PURCHASE!!!!!! This is AMAZING!!! You could be eligible for products for yourself as well!!  

That's the detailed version of the program. Here's the summary by referencing above): 
-I email you a simple form for people that you would like to buy for. 
-You fill it out at your leisure and return it to me. 
-I do your shopping for you online via Arbonne. 
-When completed (within 24 hours), before placing the order, I will call you just to quickly run through the order and retrieve your information, i.e.  address, payment info (which does not in any way remain on file with me, but gets typed right into the computer as we speak and that's the only time I see it). 
-I complete the order. 
-You receive the products/gifts in the mail, direct to your door. 
That's it!  

***Give the people you care about the gift of 'Pure, Safe and Beneficial' products that are botanically based!  

*Start out the new calendar year with a commitment to having better health and wellness by using products that will keep you and your loved ones safe; (remember, Arbonne products are botanically-based, 100% dermatologically tested and approved, 100% vegan, green and formulated WITHOUT the use of formaldehyde, mineral oil, animal by-products, PABA, artificial flavors, dyes, sweeteners, cholesterol, transfats -in our wellness line- etc.)

*I personally don't like toxins getting stuck in my pores, or ingesting artificial junk that I have NO IDEA what it's doing to my body.....but maybe that's just me. ;)  

*My contact info is below. <3  

2) START ARMING YOURSELF NOW: Build up your immune system by checking out the 'Arbonne Essentials' line, including our: 
-Antioxidant & Immunity Juice Boosters 
-Daily Essentials Power Pack Vitamins (for men andwomen) and 'Super Chews' for children 
-Energy Fizz Tabs to sustain energy (and personal results: combatting colds). 
-Warm yourself at night after a long day with our Herbal Detox Tea, finally brought back as a favorite because the company literally had to catch up with the demand for it!!  
-Relax yourself by taking a shower/bath with our Aromassentials line of scrubs, gels, lotions, massage oils. 
And so much more......  

Any questions? I am happy to help!!!!  

<3  
Megan  

Megan E. Cassano 
Independent Arbonne Consultant  

-Website: megancassano.myarbonne.com  

-Consultant ID#: 19154483 www.arbonne.com                                         

-Email:  megancassano@myarbonne.com OR Shine3000@aol.com 
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*Interested in buying non-toxic, pure and beneficial products?  

*Interested in having more time to do what you really want, while sharing health and GAINING wealth? Become a consultant.  

*Invite your friends to a spa party!!! They will LOVE you for it!!!

Crazy For Therapy?

As I've mentioned, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist/Clinical Hypnotherapist in Greenwich, CT. I have worked in a multitude of places, fulfilling various roles (both as an administrator, and as a provider of direct clinical care), with a myriad of people. My population of choice? The chronic and persistently mentally ill, i.e., people whose minds reside in the realms of psychotic and/or delusional disorders, people who have Schizophrenia, people with suicidal/homicidal thoughts, people who have sustained traumatic brain injuries, etc. As a college Professor, I also teach students how to treat and serve people who have these conditions with the utmost compassion, patience and respect...just as they would like to be treated.

Let me switch gears for a minute. I think a common misconception about going to therapy is that one has to be severely mentally ill to go to therapy/get treatment. There is a lot of shame and stigma associated with this concept, which often hinders people from seeking the help that they may desperately need. Let's face it: we ALL have issues - none of us are exempt, and if you think about it, there's some comfort in this common bond that we share as human beings. We are uniquely and beautifully flawed. We haven't always made the best of choices. There's probably a little something that we try to hide from the rest of the world every day so as not to demolish that perfect 'I-have-it-all-together' facade. How much relief would you feel if you didn't have to do that anymore? Well, at least for one hour to start. Go to therapy. Hear me out....

I always look forward to the first night of the 'Intro to Counseling' course that I teach. Fresh, bright-eyed students, who are there because they really want to be, and are ready to absorb EVERYTHING that I have to teach them. When I ask them to get right down into it though, by taking a risk and opening up to people that they have potentially never met before, all of a sudden, life looks pretty good! There are no issues, no struggles, no current challenges. Hmmm....amazing! The only people in the world with no issues, and they ALL happen to be together in MY class! I remind them that if they ever expect a patient to do what I have asked of them, to take a risk and open up to someone who was completely new and unfamiliar, they HAD TO KNOW WHAT IT FELT LIKE. They got the hint. Problems all of a sudden started to materialize.

As important as it is to remain as positive as possible, and stay mindful in the moment while practicing radical acceptance, understanding that the past is the past (we can't change it); we can't really worry about the future because we can't predict it (well, some people can't); this means that all we have is RIGHT NOW. However, our 'right now's' may hit temporary roadblocks. Perhaps you are suffering from anxiety, circumstantial depression, ambivialence regarding your life's purpose and/or so many more things; give yourself the greatest gift ever and find a Therapist (one that is either covered by your INS, or offers a 'sliding scale fee plan'. I know you're "busy", and you don't want people to think your "crazy" but people, these excuses are tired. You probably have some sort of an appointment book or device in which you maintain your meetings, etc. Schedule in that hour of therapy, and consider it just as important as anything else you have written down. This is YOUR TIME to share your thoughts, feelings, opinions, gripes, exciting news, goals and dreams with an unbiased person whose purpose is to LISTEN TO YOU, and has been trained to guide you in the journey of being the 'best you' that you can be. It's something that you can do JUST FOR YOU - and who knows? You might even discover some triggers or baggage that you are still carrying, and can finally release the negative energy that had been holding you back from truly achieving what you want. This power will enable you to manifest new truths about yourself, and this will only inspire and motivate you to move forward and get whatever it is that you want.

I am a Psychotherapist, and I am not ashamed to say that I go to therapy. Yup! You read it right. I see a Counselor every week, who specializes in dealing with chronic pain and PTSD (which corresponding stories will be saved for future posts). Every time I leave my Counselor's office, whether we discussed the frustrations of the week, or I cried the entire session because I had been in pain, or was actually happy because I wasn't feeling as sick as the week before, it is always a very cathartic experience. Additionally, for me in particular, I should be the FIRST ONE in treatment because how could I possibly expect my patients to do something that I was not willing to do myself?

So, if you've been debating making the call, DO IT.
If you've been feeling down, and it's not going away, find someone to talk to.
If you already see a Therapist of sorts, good for you! Keep going (even when you feel at your best).
Regardless of what you do, please, please join me in the elimination of thought that going to therapy is a 'taboo' issue.
How could anyone judge you for taking care of your mental/ emotional health, just as you would your physical health by going to a doctor?

I'm NOT crazy BECAUSE I go to therapy; I'm crazy ABOUT therapy. BIG difference.

My name is Megan and I see a Therapist.
Thank you for reading. <3

Helping me, helps you, to help me, to help you...and everyone else...

I am a Psychotherapist and an Arbonne Independent Consultant. I love BOTH experiences tremendously, and feel that EACH allow me to help other people by creating safer and more prosperous futures. But there is one more thing that I think would make everything better. When you buy your monthly Arbonne products from me, 10% of my entire paycheck will go toward a charity. Which charity? The choice is up to the person who spent the most that month. This isn't about a competition - because no matter what you spend, you're getting fabulous products; (& I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your business), AND you are ALSO contributing to this cause. A donation to the charity of choice will be made IN that customer's name, or however they would like it designated. Everyone wins, and this is how we continue to help each other, help each other. <3 Love to all!

Megan Cassano - www.arbonne.com - ID#: 19154483

Or visit my website:
megancassano.myarbonne.com

Today I...

Today I:

-laughed at the way my hair looked when I woke up.

-was grateful that I had hair at all.

-cried because I missed someone.

-had dizzy bouts throughout the day, trying to come down off of these anti-epileptics, as ordered.

-got super-anxious while preparing for my hearings tomorrow.

-got super-pissed at what WASN'T in the mail.

-re-evaluated my goals.

-felt enthusiastic and optimistic.

-felt deflated, and like a child.

-remembered that I had single-handedly directed multi-million dollar grant projects with multiple staff members to do good things for other people; and had 12 years of education in my chosen vocation.

-felt optimistic again.

-decided I'm done with not speaking up for myself. Three years of that which we do not speak, being pushed out of jobs because of illness, and things not turning out to be the way that I'd hoped due to circumstances beyond my control will do that.

-figured that I'm pretty well versed in motivating others, etc., having studied the 'laws of attraction', positive energy, Reiki and so forth for five+ years. I know the drill; but there are other factors that play into life too....it goes in cycles, and it's NOT going to be perfectly positive all the time. How would one then distinguish the good from the bad? The balance of karma and power wasn't designed that way. So yes, in times of difficulty, eventually pick yourself up; don't dwell in sorrow forever, but acknowledge your feelings and grieve until you feel ready to move forward.

-appreciated the friends who allow and support that process.

-started reading, "The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness" (because anything less wont get anyone anywhere, AKA, remain humble - and don't try to make it about the other person. Take a look in the mirror).

-had a premonition, acted on it, it was true, and was able to possibly fix something.

-learned that I should have a little more faith in myself and my abilities, instead of looking to others for approval; so unless I ask, I'm not seeking it.

-felt psyched when I bought a pair of size 4 jeans. Not just the size, but that the price was within my budget.

-(was worried just prior about money, but needing a pair of jeans that fit).

RIGHT NOW...

-feeling tremendously tired in this bittersweet moment of lying in bed, in a great deal of pain and feeling so fatigued...like you'd think the few errands I ran today were the equivalent of a running a marathon; and yet, feeling very grateful for my family, my true friends, this blanket covering me and my cats (not to mention Judge Judy is on).

I am thankful for every single feeling and situation that I experienced today-positive or negative. My guess is that we ALL experience this range of emotions to varying degrees every day. Maybe not about the same things, or for the same reasons - but that doesn't matter. I feel relieved about being honest. Putting myself out there. Not misrepresenting. I don't even care if no one reads this. It's great to be as positive as you can, whenever you can; but if you're going through something, seek the support of someone who understands that life isn't always bright and cheery, and we need to endure these associated emotions to be able to push ourselves farther the next time. I love being positive. But I'm not going to apologize for feeling sad, angry, lost or frustrated if something is going really wrong. I think that's what defines us as unique human beings, and not programmed robots.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Greenwich, CT, and am building my private practice. A person could have just hit a roadblock in his or her life, and needs some assistance in overcoming it, which can be done in session. Specializations: dual diagnosis (substance abuse + 'X'), trauma (conventional and non-conventional treatment), anxiety, depression, and more chronic psychiatrically ill patients. Psychotherapy is designed for patients who are in need of maintenance aftercare, and are stable/compliant w/ medications. Professional referral requested, but patient may email with questions: meganecassano@aol.com

I am also an Independent Arbonne Consultant! Arbonne is a health and well being company that offers over 500 products for every age/gender. Non-toxic, pure, safe and beneficial. They do not contain formaldehyde, PABA, mineral oil, animal products or by-products, artificial fragrances, colors, dyes, etc. The products ARE botanically based, 100% dermatologically tested and approved, 100% vegan, 100% green, and made with brilliant combinations of fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc., and - they really work! Talk to me about getting 20% off your purchase of fabulous make-up, skin, body and hair care products, bath products for babies, vitamins, shakes and energizers, body cleansing and detoxifying products (internal and external), aromassentuals/oils for invigoration or relaxation, and the list goes on... As a consultant, I can't believe I get paid to share these products with other people! You can too! Contact me directly at 203-524-1166 to find out more information, or go to my website: megancassano.myarbonne.com (you can connect to the website right from there). If you choose to just go directly to the Arbonne website, www.arbonne.com and my ID # is 19154483

Thanks for reading! I am looking forward to getting to know all of you as well! :)