...a supportive e-zine for those whose lives are touched by eating and mood disorders

Welcome...and a few VIP Announcements! Welcome...and a few VIP Announcements!

So, first things first - I am overdue to recognize our new monthly contributor, Lynn Gerhard. In addition to being my long-time friend, sponsor and fellow adventurer through recovery, Lynn is an expert in building a successful Twelve Step Program. I am looking forward to reading her contributions each month, as I know we all are - welcome, Lynn!

Having said that - welcome to the August edition of Good News. We have lots of great questions from readers, inspiring articles, and a new BLOG where we can keep in touch between editions!

Feature Article: Cultivating SupportFeature Article: Cultivating Support

This week on the online support community, a member wrote in to ask other members for help and advice about what to do when friends and family don?t seem to be willing or available to offer support. How many of us can relate? I know of no one who has been through the fire of an eating disorder who has not encountered silence, resistance, withdrawal, ignorance. And yet there is also a catch-22 at work, because it is sometimes difficult to determine whether the support is not being offered, or whether we are just not allowing ourselves to be supported. ......for complete article click HERE

Guest Editorial: 'First Steps' by Lynn GerhardGuest Editorial: 'First Steps' by Lynn Gerhard

In Crossing the River Jordan (June newsletter), we looked at what essentially is Step 1 in a 12-step program of recovery. We recognized the swampland created by our addictive behaviors, looked with hope toward a sunnier state of being, and took note of the progression of stepping stones that are the only pathway into recovery. This month, we begin that path with the next two steps over the river: . ....to read full Editorial click HERE

To read more about Lynn, click HERE

Q&A with ShannonQ&A with Shannon

We have received a tremendous number of questions this month. I will try to cover as many of them as possible in this edition...apologies to anyone whose question does not get answered this month! I promise that you will be first on next month's Q&A, so please be patient with me, and keep reading for answers by topic that may also be helpful to you.

Wanting ED Back
Q: Shannon - I am struggling real bad right now. I want ED back so much. ....
A: Hi ? thank you for writing. You can do it. You can stay strong. You just must continue ....to read full Q&A click HERE
Re-Feeding for Success
Q: Hi Shannon! I am in the process of introducing food back into my body and am having some trouble....
A: I am so glad you asked such a valuable question ? to begin with...to read full Q&A click HERE
Intervention
Q: HOW OR WHERE CAN I FIND HELP..............I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO......BULIMIA? HAS HIT SO HARD...
A:Thank you for writing. Your pain comes through so loud and clear in your letter....to read full Q&A click HERE
Anxiety
Q: I went and visited the group...it said on there that you dealt with anxiety disorder.....
A: I dealt with it one moment at a time. For many years I just lived through it?.to read full Q&A click HERE
Fighting Temptation
Q: I don't know what to do. I've been getting better at not throwing up...but it has been getting harder lately.....
A: It sounds from your letter like you know what is triggering you...to read full Q&A click HERE
Being 'Normal'
Q: Will I ever be normal again?
A: This is probably one of my all-time favorite questions to receive...to read full Q&A click HERE
Getting Ready for Change
Q: Hi, I'm sorry, I know you probably don't have the time for me and you probably get a lot of e-mails like this...
A: Hi ? thank you so much for writing. And, first things first ? I cannot even estimate....to read full Q&A click HERE
ED & Addiction
Q: When working with clients, I have noticed that eating disorders appear as addictions. They seem to have...
A: Thank you for such an insightful and open question! You hit the nail on the head when....to read full Q&A click HERE

NEW BLOG! 'Behind this Mask: Eating Disorders'NEW BLOG! 'Behind this Mask: Eating Disorders'

BLOG!!!
We all know that Relationships Replace Eating Disorders. So we also know that, for that reason and many more, sometimes once a month just isn't enough. Good News community members are the first to receive a special invitation to join Shannon's new BLOG! For updates, answers to questions, insights and tips from Shannon's own recovery journey, be sure to subscribe, and then make plans to visit Behind this Mask: Eating Disorders frequently in between issues of Good News! Also, don't forget....
AND A REMINDER: Be sure to sign up for Shannon's moderated online Eating Disorders Support Community
For any Good News community member who may not yet have heard, the ever-popular MySpace.com online support community is back up and running! This is exciting news - the group is growing every day, and offers a truly safe, supportive haven to all who sincerely desire recovery. To join, create a free MySpace.com account, then visit the to send Shannon an add request.

Until We Meet AgainUntil We Meet Again

For those of you who are new this month to the Good News community, you may not be aware that Shannon also offers one-on-one coaching and mentoring through Key to Life. To find out more about scheduling individual time with Shannon, or to set up your individual meeting with Shannon now, click HERE

Do you have a related question or topic, or an inspirational poem or story you would like to share with other readers in a future edition of Good News? Would you like to send a message of encouragement and support to those who contributed questions for this month's e-zine? (NOTE: all messages of support will be received and published anonymously in future editions of Good News) If you would like to submit a question and/or send a message of support please send it to Shannon c/o Good News by clicking HERE

with much love,with much love,

ShannonShannon

REPRINTS: You may reprint any of the content found in Good News in your own ezine or website. Simply send an email requesting permission by clicking . Please be sure to include the full Key to Life bio box at the end of any reprint, as follows:

Shannon Cutts is known as a compassionate and charismatic advocate of our right to feel good about ourselves, our bodies and our lives. Reaching out to students, youth, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and communities, her unique and powerful Key to Life programs bring personal transformation and life fulfilment into sharp and exciting focus. As the author of Letters to a Young Anorexic: Recovering the Lost Art of Mentoring in the Age of Eating Disorders, Shannon has dedicated her life to 'bringing healthy back' into the lives of families at home and around the world. Visit key-to-life.com to learn more!

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