Please note that this is an Archived article and may contain content that is out of date. The use of she/her/hers pronouns in some articles is not intended to be exclusionary. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.

A Holiday Message from Dr. B

SEASON OF PEACE: LET US LAY DOWN OUR WEAPONS OF WAR AND OFFER UP AN OLIVE BRANCH

My Dear Friends,

How I love this Holiday Season of Hanukkah, Christmas, stepping away from fast pace labors, setting aside time for family, the sharing of gifts, and the increased inclination for giving to those in need of food, shelter, work, acceptance, inclusion, or simple acts of kindness.

My kind neighbor, Victor, just did what he always does. He sends us a lovely card with a thoughtful message which draws us towards the Spirit of Christmas and the other deep meanings of the Season. Inside of his card was a typewritten rendition of a long and heartwarming story. This is a well-documented story of how during World War I, a war in which 10 million would die, Allied and German soldiers on either side of the death zone called “Flanders Field,” put down their weapons of war on Christmas Day, in December 1914, and together shared chocolate, small gifts, music, prayers, peace, and good will for one another for one day of truce. That truce was not written on paper, but was written in human hearts. They put down their weapons of war, and they mutually held up olive branches of peace, brotherhood, common bond, and compassion.

Reading this story caused my heart to pause. In this pause, I hoped, and I prayed for peace. Not just for the victims of the current killing fields of the Middle East, Africa or other places closer to home, but also for an increased measure of peace in our profession, our work, our families, and our everyday interactions with all of our brothers and sisters within our reach and influence. Too often, I see professional colleagues, neighbors, and family members assaulted with the weapons of judgment, labeling, blame, criticism, and giving bad intent – sometimes, even in the name of watching out for one marginalized group or another. It is my hope that you, and I, and all of us, will repeatedly, and then continually, both lay down and walk away from these personal and interpersonal weapons of war, which do damage on our brothers and sisters, who most often, have noble intentions, and good hearts.

There are too many specialized weapons of war, and each one inflicts its own brand of damage on the human soul: greed, selfishness, entitlement, prejudice, judgment, blame, and the more subtle: competition, comparison, negativity, refusal to hope, and refusal to see the good in self and others.

As we lay down weapons, our hands and hearts are free and open. Let us all, in our professional and personal lives, pick up and offer up olive branches of peace which include acceptance, patience, forgiveness, humble service, charity, loving kindness, compassion, generosity, optimism, hopefulness, giving others good intent, and extending good will to ourselves and others. I am learning, my colleagues and friends, that peace, unity, a real spirit of humanity, and spiritual harmony cannot endure without peace in individual hearts and good will towards oneself and towards all of our brothers and sisters in our extended family of mankind.

May God bless you, your good works, your colleagues, your clients, your families and friends in this wonderful Holiday Season. I send gratitude from all of us here, for your friendship, support, and positive influence on us. It is nice to be involved in this worthy common cause with each one of you. Happy Holidays,

Michael
(Michael E. Berrett, PhD, Psychologist, CEO, Co-founder, Center for Change, Orem, Utah)

For most people, the holiday season is a wonderful time of year. It is often a time of family reunion, socializing, and celebration - a time when families, friends, and coworkers come together to share good will and good food.  Yet, for many who suffer with eating disorders, this can be the worst time of the year.

For some suggestions to help the holiday season go a little better for a loved one suffering with an eating disorder, click here.

Happenings at Center for Change

We expanded our Cottonwood Heights (Salt Lake City) location! We now offer both Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) levels of care. Call our admissions team at 888.224.8250 for more information.

Center for Change employees held a Turkey Bowl around Thanksgiving where we raised over $1300 for a local food bank, had "penny wars", and a blood drive!  We learned that even a penny can make a difference.  To check out some of the fun we had and to learn more, click here.

Upcoming Events

Free Educational Webinar with Michael E. Berrett, PhD
December 17, 2015
12pm-1pm Mountain Time
Everywhere!
Dr. Berrett will present on Eating Disorder Recovery: A Journey From Illness Identity to Spiritual Identity Center for Change National Eating Disorders Conference for Professionals
January 29-30, 2016
Optional ski day January 31
Orem, UT