Delores Ayotte's nonfiction "Up The "Down"
Ladder - Simple Ideas to Overcome Depression is a Breakthrough Masterpiece! As
a Chemical Dependency - Lifestyle Disorder Councilor who interned at Woodview
Calabasas Psychiatric Hospital's dually diagnosed Chemical Dependency Unit, I
can attest that usually in every generation there is new information that
points to new theories. However, having worked in the system and then as a lay
councilor for Freemont Community Church, I know that the most valuable information
is dispensed by those caring individuals who having overcome reach out a hand,
say a word, show the way while sharing their personal experiences. Where once
people did this as a natural and right thing to do more and more today's mind
set of `suck it up' and `look good at all times not matter what it costs' has created an
environment where the norm is to look good no matter what!
Into this dismal abyss steps a women who sees herself as an
ordinary person, who has had some experiences others might learn from. Delores
Ayotte does not tell us how to avoid life issues, she celebrates them! In
reading her take we see that choices shape our world. This is clearly
illustrated by the bank that wanted people to progress. Management meet with
each employee to map out a year by year strategy so each employee could become
self-actualizing. And a curious thing happened! Many who claimed to want to
advance left. Why? Because for some...or in some situations it's easier to
`want' than `do.'
Up The "Down" Staircase is a small book loaded
with life changes examples gleaned from the author's experiences, and I for
one, found them affirming, and if implemented when ready, you might perhaps
view them to be as, or even more, valuable than seeing a therapist who might
prescribe medication so you don't have to do the work, tell you that what
you're going through is Normal, or suggest that it's someone else's fault. All
of these options have been tried and not worked. If they had we would be
feeling better not worse.
No! What is needed is a Truthsayer who has nothing to prove
or gain from telling it like `it' is...if that's what you're looking for this
book is a must read. But before you begin, I must suggest that you read a
little and be kind to yourself as if you were your own best friend. For this is
not a book to be rushed through because change that last's takes time. It took
you a while to get where you are... a while to realize that it's not where you
want to be. Now gift yourself the time to become the you, you wish to be.
Just as some of those who groused because they wanted to
advance discovered, when the opportunity was available, that they didn't really
want to, your voyage of discovery may take you to places you never imagined and
show you things about yourself you never knew. Yet, I can promise you this
after reading this amazing book, you will always be in charge, you will be
respected and affirmed. And in the end you will be able to say with happy
conviction, "You get to be you, and I get to be me!" Although this simple
statement might sound ludicrous, true health is achieved when one knows and
likes themself, and supports others as they strive to become who they want to
be for it is in moving from wanting to becoming that we arrive!
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