Clart Therapy

In late December, President Obama signed the Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Bill, which includes $88 million for Drug Courts. This is a $25 million increase over last year's mark, according to the NADCP (National Association of Drug Court Professionals). I doubt a lot of President Obama's enemies will give him much credit for this but what a wonderful thing it is. Those of us who have suffered and struggled with our child's addiction, not wanting them to go to prison for a drug-related non-violent crime, applaud the president for his forward thinking. Another forward thinking person in this country concerned with addiction is William Ray Price, Jr., Missouri Chief Justice. To quote Chief Justice...

Christian rehab often club their treatment programs with a holistic approach as a part of their treatment process. The professional team of experts meets and discusses the requirements of each resident to address their spiritual, emotional, mental as well as physical requirements. The professionals of the Christian rehab program seek to deal with the internal psychological developments that are taking place within the addicted individual. Other than that, they are taught to handle the crucial aspects of their personal history and even engage in a healthy relationship with others and actively pursue a life of fulfillment. Every aspect of the individual is scrutinized and taken into consideration in a...

Are you abusing alcohol? Married to someone who is? Is a family member emotionally and financially draining you? Have you found looking for real help even more frustrating than coping with the problem? You're not alone, but there are options beyond the old failed approaches. Successfully leaving alcohol problems behind means understanding that alcohol abuse and dependence are coping behaviors gone wrong, not the incurable, progressive diseases they are frequently - and falsely - portrayed as. The second real step in altering alcohol abuse habits is realizing that people can. No, they're not powerless and there isn't a shred of evidence to support that idea either. What does the research show? It...

We have a closed mindset towards drug addicts. A lot of people look at drug addicts as either criminals or outcasts. According to a leading drug treatment center in Pennsylvania, we do not recognize that these people need treatment and that they are sick; we are quick to dismiss them as criminals or people we should stay away from. According to the spokeswoman of that drug rehab, we tend to forget that it is possible to treat totally and make the person live and work in the society as any other normal individual. Sadly, people perceive drug addicts as the muck of the society.. They are often disregarded, looked down with contempt and ridiculed. Due to our callous attitude, we can find a steady rise...

Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuanawithout risk of relapse into alcohol use or of developing other problems. Can a heroin addict inrecovery (abstinent from heroin use) who has no history of problems with use of alcohol, usealcohol without risk of relapse into heroin use or of developing other problems? The generalrule in abstinence based treatment models in the U.S., usually Twelve Step based programs, isthat once an individual has developed an addiction to one class of substances, assuming theindividual's goal is abstinence from use of that class of substance, that individual can nolonger safely use any other drug (including alcohol), regardless...

You know everyday I learn something new about myself, about God about others and about the world I live in. Today was a fresh revelation about what goes on in the life of an addict, the thought life that is. I was watching Joseph Prince this morning and if you have never listened to him please go check him out. He always uses Greek translations in his teachings which are very helpful for me to better understand the God's word. So today the thing that struck me out of his teachings was the word condemnation. He talked a lot about, it isn't really so much about what we do as much as it is what we think about what we do (condemnation). And the light bulb went off! Addicts inherently feel bad about...

There is no denying that drug abuse not only affects the addict but also his or her family and relationships. Drug treatment programs are intended to help the addicted individual overcome addiction to drugs and lead a healthy and productive life. The key benefit of a treatment program is that treatment can be provided in a safe and caring environment, taking care of the social, psychological, and medicinal needs of an individual. Therapists and psychologists work on different areas of the addict for an effective drug treatment that improves self esteem, self worth, relationships, friendships, and eliminates criminal behavior. The treatment center offers comprehensive and multidimensional programs...

Over consumption of alcohol invariably results in a hangover; just how much alcohol is necessary to produce one depends on the biochemical individuality of the consumer, and the type of drink consumed. Distilled liquors, such as whiskey and gin, have a more immediate impact than wines or beers, and all alcohol is absorbed more quickly when mixed with a carbonated beverage. Once in the bloodstream, alcohol reaches the brain in minutes. At first it acts as a stimulant, producing euphoria. This soon gives way to central nervous system depression and feelings of numbness, and finally to sleep or unconsciousness. Rapid ingestion of a large amount of alcohol can be fatal. The severity of a hangover is...

Before arriving at a drug rehab center you certainly have many questions on your mind. This article will give a run down on what to expect at drug rehab, specifically a rehab that is based on the 12-step method of recovery. Be advised that while the majority of drug rehab centers follow the Alcoholics Anonymous model, some do not and this article would not apply to them. Let's begin by saying that the fact that a rehab is based on the tenets of AA doesn't guarantee that one will devote the majority of your time in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or studying from the Big Book of AA. Sure, you do do that, but there are many other elements of a rehab's treatment model that you need to be aware of. First...

Going to a halfway house is often a good move after being in a residential rehab program. Transitional homes have become an effective step to continue to reinforce the insights from a 30 day or 28 day facility. They often are used as well for those that have been clean or sober in past but have had struggles with relapsing. Often you need to be clean for a certain period of time before being accepted at a home. It is tempting to fall back into old patterns and by living in an environment with others who also want to continue to stay sober and drug free there is a positive environment. Because it is easy to return to older behaviors, friends that continue to abuse drug or alcohol and settings where...

As the concept of drug rehabilitation centers is becoming very popular among the people, large numbers of drug addicts are moving forward to Florida drug rehab. It is because they feel this is the easiest way to get rid from drug addiction. Florida drug rehab plays a major role in ensuring that the addicted persons are getting treatment facilities at the best price. There are however some people who are not sure about facilities and treatments available at these rehab centers. In order to clear their minds, here are some answers for most frequently asked questions by such people. They are explained as follows: • Is it compulsory for the drug addicts going to Florida drug rehab to sign up for...

I used to love September when I was younger. It was the back to school month and once I was in college I loved going back to school. It meant more freedom and no one to answer to. Each September my mom kissed me goodbye and told me to be safe as she sent me on my merry way. Like my mom, most parents do not send their teens to college thinking it is the last time they will ever see them again, but sadly for nearly 1700 hundred set of parents that is exactly what happens. Binge drinking is something that is often associated with college, but did you know that not all binge drinking begins in college. In fact some people start binge drinking as young as 13. Studies have also shown that more...

When most couples get married, there are few negative thoughts that will enter their minds; least of all is substance abuse. Most believe that when they get married, they will generally have a good marriage. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many marriages will suffer difficulties, including problems with substance abuse. People change over time, so it is not always something that can be predicted, but it can happen. Stresses build, life becomes darker and this is where substance abuse can enter. It may not be noticed at first, but it will be when it becomes a full addiction that changes the husband's or wife's behavior, attitude and personality. When this does happen, it can leave the...

The tasty flounder is a great sport fish you can target in Rhode Island waters.  Every day during the summer hundreds of boats are out there targeting this great fish.  By following a few tips you can become a better flounder fisherman.   Summer flounder are a funny-looking brownish fish with a totally white underside.  They have two eyes on one side of their head and swim with the eyes upward, tending to cruise along the bottom, not moving to far away from it.  They cruise about 1-3 feet off the bottom looking for something to eat, usually using the current from the tides to cover ground.  Often they will spook some small life form as they approach, and a small puff of mud or motion is sent...

Before we begin the discussion of alcoholism addiction treatment, let's make clear what alcoholism addiction really is: Although there are many definitions, the most common according to Wikipedia.org is, "alcoholism typically constitutes any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, despite negative personal and social consequences. " If you or someone you care about have an alcohol abuse problem there are options out there for you to seek help. A whole lot of alcoholism addiction treatment programs across the country can provide you with the assistance, help and support you need to get your life back on track again and end your dependence on the glass or bottle...

If someone close to you or you yourself are a victim of the menace of drug addiction, you will not require any introduction to how worse the situation can be not just for the addict but his family too. Thus, substance abuse affects all the people who are involved with the victim. Most of the times, the situation can get so worse that it can tear apart families and render their lives completely off track. However, very often such problems can be solved at what now is commonly known as a drug treatment center. A drug treatment center is known to employ a highly comprehensive and exhaustive process for complete recovery of the patient from drug addiction. It is important to involve the family during...

Everybody has bad days once and while and days where you need a little push or motivation to keep going. If you're recovering from an addiction, you may be looking for some ways to keep your energy up, change your mood or reasons to drive you. As an alcoholic, letting a bad day or mood get to you can easily lead to your life spiraling out of control. Use these three tips to help you stay on track and to quickly change your mood. Music Music can be used to change your mood, boost your energy, reduce tension and even relieve depression. Depending on the mood you want to get into and your musical preference, different types of music are going to affect you in different ways. If you're feeling...

Cross addiction is one of the leading causes of relapse in early recovery. Cross-addiction involves being addicted to all mood altering drugs. The following are illustrations of cross addiction. 1. Some people become cross-addicted in their efforts to camouflage their addiction. Alcoholics may change to a different drug of choice to hide the smell, or the impairment of fine motor skills. 2. Cross addiction can occur in the process of withdrawal mediation. This is where you use a different drug to avoid or reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. 3. The effects of a drug may change over time and cross addiction can be a response to these changing effects of the drug on his/her body. 4. Addicts often...

The problem of gambling addiction is becoming a hot topic of conversations at some offices or wherever you may go. Who would have thought that ten years ago this new and latest epidemic is affecting people from all walks of life? These gamblers who know and come to realize that indeed they have a problem constantly search for a cure or a solution to their problem on gambling addiction. These gamblers are now trying to move on to put an end their present self destructive lifestyle. People begin their constant search to either help their affected family and friends or themselves now that more and more people have realized and understood that this kind of addiction does exist. There are some compulsive...

Sometimes in early recovery, when you know that you are "working a good program", you may feel like something is still missing. You're still clean and sober. You are going to meetings. You are showing up for work everyday. You are starting to get your bills caught up. The important people in your life are remarking about how well you are doing. Yet, there still seems to be an absence of something important. We may not be developing the kind of serenity or peace of mind that we had hoped for. We may entertain the notion that we will be happy when we find that magical something outside of ourselves that will make us whole. Romance is one of those magical somethings that is frequently called upon to...

Corporate America is going healthy! Hurray for Wal-Mart and its recent decision to expand their organic section, the fastest-growing category of all food. Hopefully, consumers will not get discouraged by the recent epidemics of E. coli infections from contaminated greenies lots that have affected people around the country. The increased availability of organic products is zilch in front of the forthcoming healthy food revolution. Picture a future where food-shelving in supermarkets adjusts to people's genetic types. A future where the general public will still be educated to shun sodas and stick to mandatory five-veggies-a-day, but will have a much better account of why everybody does not respond...

In the past codependency was associated with person who enabled an alcoholic or drug addict. These days codependency has become associated with emotional dependencies in a relationship. All relationships involve a dependency on another person to some extent. However, when an individual compromises their own values and wants to avoid rejection and anger they are exhibiting codependent behaviors. The reason why this is so important for parents to understand is that its origins start in childhood. So if you are doing the following three things you may be planting the seeds of codependency. 1. Being inflexible ( or the type A- "Superparent") If you are the type of person who has a rigid plan of how and...

Society and culture can often place extreme burdens on the first-born child in a family. Being the eldest child in the family often entails additional responsibilities, expectations, and demands. Different cultures exhibit this tendency in varying degrees, though the added pressure and importance of the first-born has sometimes been seen as a universal trait. However, given the right psychological conditions, a first-born child can mentally collapse under such responsibilities, with effects ranging from developing an anxiety disorder to severe case of performance anxiety. Parents from different countries and cultures usually expect the first-born child to be the one to carry on the family name, as...

Recently I've been hearing lots of parents talk about how much is too much information (TMI) when they are talking with their children. Often it's difficult to understand what are healthy boundaries. There is a tendency for parent to over explain situations. I see this happening with young children, whereby a parent will offer a lengthy explanation to their child why they can't have a snack right now. The parent often is providing way too much information and justification as the child melts down into tantrums. This not only happens with toddlers, but I see it in teens and young adults too. Parents lovingly offer up lengthy reasons why their teen shouldn't do something and the teen launches into...

The term "conventional medicine" refers to medicine practiced by medical doctors and doctors of osteopath. Alternative medicine is a system of theory and practice used by many individual cultures around the world. There are several differences in conventional and alternative medicines, but there are some practitioners that use them together. Promoting Good Health The emphasis in alternative medicine is good health and prevention of disease. With alternative medicine, an individual is using natural remedies to build up the immune system to fight off infection and diseases.  Each person is treated as an individual. Then, a specialized treatment is used for their needs. Through extensive questioning...

As a professional school photographer, I often get asked by principals for good fundraiser ideas. Many schools are looking for fundraising ideas and sometimes ask their photographer for help. I looked at many fundraising programs and found that a Childrens Art offers a great way to raise money for your organization. People may not realize that fundraising is a task typically tackled by the parents. With my experience in the marketplace, I have seen countless fundraising ideas. When choosing a fundraiser, schools have to decide to go with the tried and true product sales approach or to look at some new ideas. Here are a few reasons why Childrens Art fundraisers are a great fundraising ideas for your...

I am a huge fan of Positive Psychology and the study of happiness, something you'll will be hearing about more and more in the news. The reason I want to share this with you is because there's some really great information you can use in your life to positively impact you and your family. The European Network for Positive Psychology describes it as researching optional functioning, moving towards what is right, rather than traditional pathology orientation of what is wrong (Pointon, 2006). The emphasis of Positive Psychology is to move towards happiness, affecting physical well-being, decreasing symptoms, increasing coping skills and adding to a longer, quality filled life. American Psychologist...

We all need to be organized. We all need to accomplish more and be more productive. We all need to make more efficient use of our time. What to do? That reminds me of a song by OK Go which says, "What to do? Sweetheart, you'll find mediocre people do exceptional things all the time." So if mediocre people can do exceptional things (and you're far from mediocre, right?) so can you! One of the best ways to accomplish great things is to have a plan of action, and that's where lists come in. You make a grocery list, you make a Christmas list, and you make to-do lists. A casual to-do list is a great start. But to be most prosperous in life, there is a more lofty class of lists that beckons us: the life...

The grief surrounding the death of a family member or loved one is one of the most difficult experiences for anyone to go through. It seems sometimes, that the sadness will never lift and gladness fill your life again. These are normal reactions to the loss of a loved one and one should remember that in the process of grieving these overwhelming and frightening feelings of loss are to be expected. While there is no one perfect way to grieve, there are ways to express your loss in ways that are more healthy for you. Everyone grieves in a different manner and bereavement coping is tool that is very important during the process. Grieving is a very personalized experience and there is no specific...

With the focus on thoughts, we are much more aware of time. When our awareness goes beyond thinking, we enter a timeless moment where the Wisdom of the Body choreographs our life. The frustration of waiting is our resistance to letting go of our habitual habit of focusing on thinking. Imagine if waiting opened the door to creativity and spirituality. If that happened, waiting would be a gift that was not resisted. We often say "wait a minute" as a subconscious way of entering that state of mind, but when it comes to us without choice, frustration often arises. Just think, if a simple breath transported your awareness to that beyond thought inner reality. Waiting could easily become the break your...

FEAR- its a big topic these days. I'm seeing so many children, teens, and adults impacted by fear. Whether it is fear from a weak economy, fear from not doing things good enough, fear of embarrassment, or fear of spooky things in the closet, fear impacts everyone. Create open opportunities to explore what things you or your children are afraid of. By gently asking what kind of things are you scared of you may uncover some areas you can grow more. The creative tips below will help you create emotional safety as you explore your (and your child's) fears. Fear has rippled through the economy and impacted daily choices. How has it impacted the average household and what are some creative ways to reduce...

Striving for a life that is empowering and fulfilling is, for many of us difficult to achieve. With questions such as where to start, or what priorities you set, it may seem like just a dream. It's not, and attaining the life you long for and deserve is definitely attainable. Personal empowerment is absolutely attainable. With these 5 steps you begin your path towards actually attaining the fulfillment you are searching for. #1 Modify your way of thinking. By eliminating, or at least reducing the negative self-talk we tend to engage in from time to time, you are taking one of the most powerful steps to leading a positive, fulfilling life. Respect and embrace yourself as the beautiful and unique you...

Doodles are an unconscious expression of our mind through the art of scribbling and putting pen to paper. We are usually doing or thinking about something else when we doodle. On the phone, daydreaming in school, we are not concentrating on what we are drawing. As a consequence doodles are free of any conscious thought. Doodles are a fantastic way to unleash your creativity. These days as children we are not encouraged to draw or to be artistic unless we are "good at it". Only those that are obviously talented are encouraged to draw. You will often see people draw geometric shapes when they doodle. They feel comfortable drawing these shapes {which they learnt to draw in school usually in Maths class...

Just like there are many kinds of manufacturers, there are many kinds of agencies. Some only license art and some sell as prints or on products besides their artists work. Some represent artists whose work fits only a niche market such as lodge, western, and country. Others specialize in representing artists whose work is suitable for home decor, or patterns for fabric, clothing, stationery, and scrapbooking. And of course there are some agents that license all kinds of art for all kinds of products. Some represent several artists and some represent several hundred artists. Some will sign up artists that are new to licensing while others will only accept artists that are already known and have...

Ayurveda teaches us about the profound concept of integrity and compassion to ourselves, our family, the world and the universe. One of the greatest destroyers of integrity the the way in which we refuse to look at ourselves at the deepest level - when we know that what we are doing is wrong. The pain of betrayal hurts us profoundly and although being betrayed by another is painful it is the betrayal to ourselves, which causes us the greatest harm. The pain of betrayal not only damages us physically causing all types of disease on the body, much more than physical symptoms it causes us to feel some of the most painful emotions possible often ones that are too painful for us to recognise. But feel...

What is light therapy and what can it treat? This type of therapy is an alternative form of medicine that is used to treat skin problems, sleep disorders, emotional instability (such as depression), and others. How does it work? In illumination procedures the different wavelengths of light are used at a specific time of day to cure and prevent some common problems. There are many such sources and each has a different effect on your body - daylight, direct sunlight (at 10 AM, 1PM, 4PM, etc is different), LED lights, lasers, fluorescent lights, full spectrum lights, infra red lights, candle light etc. The benefit from a light therapy treatment is that you are not taking any chemicals and drugs - which...

Taking better photographs can make a huge difference in how you are able to promote and sell your work. It is well worth practicing to improve, and worth getting feedback on your photography from experienced photographers. Fortunately, common mistakes are easy to avoid if you learn how to look for them. Perhaps the most common mistake photographers make is not filling the frame. Your art or craft should appear large in the photograph, with little wasted space. Usually all you have to do is get closer to take the photo, or to zoom in. Along with this, sometimes people will hold a camera horizontally even when they are photographing something that is more tall than wide. For shooting tall items, turn...

Going through a breakup can be very painful, and sometimes it just seems to build up inside of you with no sense of relief. But art can be a great outlet to help relieve a lot of pain and to help you express how you are feeling. Here are three ways that you can creatively express the pain of a broken relationship, and hopefully heal yourself. Poetry First of all, think about writing poetry. Many people only think about writing poetry when they are in love, but poetry can be a great medium for self expression when you are in pain. Because you are not ultimately focused on publishing your work, you can write whatever comes your heart even if it doesn't rhyme. Music Music can be another great way to...

The record of hypnosis is as antiquated as the human lineage. Even the most primitive natives were aware of this astounding psychological manifestation, and it was used in the mystic procedures of their medicine men to create fear and magnify confidence in the magic and the occult. With this enduring history of occult and mysticism, it is not unexpected that the overall public viewpoint toward hypnosis has been and still is one of resentment, misunderstanding and fear. The primary scientific presentations in the study of hypnosis began with Anton Mesmer in 1775, from whose name originates the term mesmerism which is even today in modern use. Mesmer`s utilization of hypnosis began with his find that...

Have you ever noticed how life throws surprises at people? One person may see the surprise as a gift and embrace the chance to move through it. Another person may have the same experience and see it as a royal pain in the rear — something almost that life is punishing them with. We have a choice. We can decide to live with a prosperity consciousness knowing that our life is joyful, rich, wonderful, prosperous and loving. Or, we can decide to play the victim with a poverty consciousness that is full of lack, limitation, and a life that is never enough. When I went to my son's graduation in Oregon, I had a chance to experience the extremes. Whenever I need to go to the airport, I use the...

Baby Nursery bedding can be considered the first step to beautiful baby nursery decor for your little one's room. People often look first for baby furniture and the build their nursery decoration upon it, when in reality, choosing the baby nursery bedding (baby linens, etc.) takes top priority. Why focus on choosing baby nursery bedding first? I can tell you from personal experience that while I was pregnant with my first child, I decided to purchase the nursery furniture first (crib, changing table, gliding rocking chair, etc.). It was one of the worst mistakes I could make re: creating my baby nursery decor! I ended up having to give up the bedding pattern I really loved because this particular...

Is it possible to live a balanced life? Living a balanced life may conjure up images of balanced scales, being a "superhuman", feeling even-keeled and in control. We perceive it to mean symmetrical, composed, stable and poised. The collective belief is that if you equally attend to all facets of your life, and if you maintain your composure while doing so, you will find the nirvana of balance within your life. This is a great myth, yet a perceived road map to many for finding balance. FYI - Your life is not meant to be one static pie chart you control! When you learned to ride a bike, roller skate or turn a cartwheel, everyone probably remembers the more you fought your body's natural sense of...

Many people feel disturbed by the idea of change. However change is the most consistent aspect of life. Change can be difficult, easy, tumultuous, simple, large, small etc. etc. We change in our sleep without knowing it. Experience changes us, often without our being aware of it. If things did not change, where would we be, how would the first human beings have ever learned to walk? We would be nowhere. Life would not be if it were not for change. Change does not automatically equate with loss. It often brings improvement. Most often something has to be lost in order to bring improvement. Many changes occur without our awareness, without our choosing the change. A baby does not choose to be born...

The song "Respect" has meant a great deal to many people. Otis Redding wrote the song and Aretha Franklin performed it with her powerful, inimitable talent. Many people, who have been disenfranchised, identify with this song. The most powerful phrase in the song is, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me." In other words, we define respect according to our own subjective perception of reality and it is the responsibility of each person in any relationship to understand the other person's definition of respect. People will inadvertently (sometimes deliberately) hurt others throughout their lives. When one person treats another with a lack of respect, a fault is created. If the person who is...

I recently listened to a sermon about "Being Happy" in which many happiness experts were quoted, including the Dalai Lama. Afterwards, I spoke with the lecturer, telling him that I disagree with the Dalai Lama. Later, I thought, "I am being audacious, disagreeing with the Dalai Lama." Thinking about it further I realized that if the Dalai Lama is as humble as is reported, he would be the first to agree that he is only human and does not have all the answers. I do not have all the answers either, and I have concerns about this golden goal of "being happy." The desire to "be happy" has driven people. For many years, it has driven many people to be greedy, to have more money, bigger houses, more...

Light from the sun had always benefited our environment and our bodies since the beginning of time. That is why it is channeled or replicated by both scientists and cosmetic experts to satisfy the needs of clients on their end. Light therapy is a non-medication therapy duly approved by the National Institutes of Mental Health and American Psychiatric Association for treatment of psychiatric disorders and approved by a lot of dermatologists and medical practitioners for the treatment of medical illnesses. It is widely used for the treatment of psychological illnesses such as secondary symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, obsessive compulsive disorder and bulimia nervosa. It is also...

If you have ever wondered about the key to wholeness and well-being in life, it means that you have been contemplating how to open its door. The key to this door is Relaxing Meditation. This term is a beautiful way to describe paying attention to yourself and to your world. Whenever you are engrossed in any activity such as running or reading - you are in fact meditating and relaxing simultaneously! Though it sounds pretty simple, it is not easy for many of us. This is because the mind has a tendency to wander about and it is easily distracted by the external surroundings. In addition, our busy schedule grips us so tightly to the rapid momentum of the day that we just cannot halt to enjoy the full...

How To Hypnotize Anyone Without Getting Caught Download OCD is a type of mental disorder in which the person affected has an excessive fear about himself, his loved ones and about his work. He gets an obsession i.e. fear, anxiety, worries, uncertainty of thoughts about every work. The doubt about the completion and correctness of their work gets to extremities and thus they react as an unusual person. These people are constantly under the threat of thoughts regarding the incompleteness or improperness of any act. What if I don't reach a particular expectation in time? These people are extremely possessive and reserved. These people are caught by many upsetting and disappointing thoughts in their...

It was a rainy Saturday morning when I finished unpacking from a recent business trip. After jiggling open the sliding door to my closet, I desperately tried to find space for a new pair of shoes I had purchased. No such luck. Every time I moved one dusty old box, another fell down. "This is it!" I huffed out loud. "This is the day I give away all of my old shoes." The shoes I'm talking about were not just tattered--many of them no longer fit. Why was I saving them? I got my step stool and up into the nether regions of closet land I went. The first box contained a pair of black satin high heels. They were my favorites eight years ago when they were new. I remember wearing them the night I attended a...