Would It Surprise You To Know…

1. Would It Surprise You To Know… An estimated 19.1 million Americans age 12 years or older were current users of illicit drugs in 2004 Nearly half of pregnancies among American women are unintended, and four in 10 of these are terminated by abortion. Total bankruptcy filings in 2009 reached 1.4 million Over 34000 people in the United States die by suicide every year In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males fight anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 25 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder

2. America: The Land of Opportunity • The United States of America: • A World Super Power • Rich • Powerful • Free • Why are we so unhappy???? • Why have extreme behaviors become so widespread?

3. Perspectives On Success Eat Pray Love Quote Luca Spaghetti:"Americans. You work too hard, you get burned out. You come home and spend the whole weekend in your pajamas in front of the T.V. But you don't know pleasure. You have to be told you've earned it. You see a commercial that says: 'It's Miller Time!' And you say, That's right, now I'm going to buy a six pack. And then drink the whole thing and wake up the next morning and you feel terrible.” • The fallacy of the American success equation • Work hard now= Get rich fast • $$=Happiness + Success • Unrealistic ideals presented by media make Americans feel as if they should be doing more. • Dissatisfaction sets in

4. The Solution To The Madness • Leading a balanced life style • Recognizing all aspects of mental health • Changing your paradigm • Altering your perspective • Lifestyle changes • Setting goals • Establishing boundaries • Finding Passion

5. Recognizing & Meeting Our Needs • Mental Health • Intellectual betterment • Planning/organizing • Emotional Health • Positive self talk • Self esteem/confidence • Spiritual Health • Meditation/Service • Spiritually uplifting materials • Physical Health • Physical fitness/wellness • Nutrition • Social Health • Interacting with peers • Socializing

6. Changing The Paradigm The Paradigm of America Your Change of Paradigm How you see yourself -Superior or less than -Part of the rat race How you see others -Obstacles -Competition -Time consuming How you see yourself -Imperfect yet improving -Equal to everyone How you see others -Partners -People in need of help How You See The World -Eat or be eaten -Stressful -Demanding -Moving on with out you Feelings -Incompetent -You vs. the world -Unfulfilled -Tired How You See The World -A place of opportunity -A journey with many wells in the dessert Feelings -Calm -Fulfilled -Excited -Rejuvenated -Passionate

7. Lifestyle Changes • Take on only what you can handle • Learn to say no • Set boundaries with loved ones • Set goals and work to achieve them daily • Find sustainable methods to meet your needs • Choose to see the world in a different light • Positive self talk • Strive to be consistent • Law of the harvest • Go beyond your comfort zone

8. Finding Your Passion • “When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible.” • -Anonymous • Without passion there is no zeal for life • Life without passion is death • Passion is the greatest of motivations • Passion cannot thrive in an environment void of balance, principles, and integrity • The hard stuff becomes easier when seasoned with passion

9. ~ Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony ~ Thomas Merton You Find Peace And Happiness Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony -Thomas Merton Through Balance