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

Feature Article: Understanding the Language of Self-Harm Feature Article: Understanding the Language of Self-Harm

When we first enter recovery, it can be reassuringly tempting to focus so heavily on the means that we forget about the end ? the result or reason why we ever undertook this strenuous journey in the first place. We have so many more supportive books, websites, movies, workbooks, and groups available today to support us in our recovery than we ever have before. We do not have to battle it out on such a large scale any more to gain a foothold of understanding and compassion from those around us. Society has made accommodation for the phenomenon known as ?recovery? and has even given it a unique place and status in popular culture. ......for complete article click HERE

Guest Editorial: "Crossing the River Jordan' by Lynn Gerhard Guest Editorial: "Crossing the River Jordan' by Lynn Gerhard

Their voices have stayed with me from childhood years ? summer voices singing a campfire verse: ?The River Jordan is muddy and wide, milk and honey on the other side. Hallelujah.? They sing truth; they sing hope for those of us who are working our way out of the murky swamp of addictions. Addictions can take one form or many, but our experience of them is always the wasting swamp. The first step to recovery is seeing the swamp and our misery in it. ....to read full Editorial click HERE

To read more about Lynn, click HERE

To read one of Lynn's original poems, click HERE

This Month's Q&AThis Month's Q&A

Q: Dear Shannon, I am an ed-expert. I?ve been thru all stages and I?ve tried everything to get worse so far....
A: Hi ? thank you for writing. You ask what seems to be an almost universal ?crossroads question? that we all have to get to at some point in our lives. ?What is holding me back from being all that I know I can be?' ....to read full Q&A click HERE

Q: Hi Shannon! I saw your site and am comforted - I am 40 now- Bulimic for over 20 years. I finally have a happy life, a wonderful husband--but a continuing war with my fat--or whatever it is....
A: Hi - I understand. You don't have to apologize for sharing your pain and your story with me. This is how we stay strong. As I can tell from your email, your mind obviously is aware of....to read full Q&A click HERE

Q:I was just curious...do you still struggle with anorexia? I watched the video on the page...
A: No, I don't still struggle. Not in the way I think you mean anyway. This is one of the questions I am most frequently asked ? and I am always glad for the opportunity to clarify that recovery is..... to read full Q&A click HERE

Q: Can you tell me what your credentials are?
A: Hi ? thank you for writing. My credentials?.to read full Q&A click HERE

(From this month's MYEDHELP.COM "Dear Shannon" Column!)
Q: Hi, I am responding to the letter from Shannon?s column. I am fighting anorexia myself and your letter really touched me, it is so similar to how I have been feeling.....
A: I appreciate hearing from you about where you are in your recovery journey. What strikes me immediately is that, while you express a great deal of fear....to read full Q&A click HERE

NEW 'Behind This Mask' FACEBOOK Group NEW 'Behind This Mask' FACEBOOK Group

A new 'Behind This Mask: there is someone real' online support community has been formed on . You must first register to be a member of Facebook (it's free and all you need is an email address linked to your school or alumni association!). Once you register, you can access the group and begin posting . All are welcome - once you apply to join I will receive a confirmation request and approve you. Once you are approved you can begin posting immediately!

'Reminder: Behind This Mask' Online Chat ForumReminder: 'Behind This Mask' Online Chat Forum

We have created an alternative to the MySpace group where you can go to share your thoughts with other members of the support community. Membership is free - all you have to do is create a confidential screen profile.

Here is how you do that:
1. Visit the Key to Life website HERE
2. Click 'Create a Confidential Login Identity HERE
3. Login in to the chat any time you need support!

Individual SupportIndividual Support

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

Until We Meet AgainUntil We Meet Again

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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