Karbowski Counseling & Consulting

Providing life improvement services at prices affordable to anyone.
Anyone can benefit from counseling. Professional human services are available to alleviate emotional pain with compassion and understanding of complex human behavior. You can:

• Overcome anxiety
• Manage depression symptoms
• Understand and conquer addictions
• Resolve relationship issues

Consulting services range from directive executive coaching to supportive collaborations. Karbowski Counseling & Consulting can assist you and your organization to:

• Cut spending
• Boost effective communication
• Establish smart goals
• Manage time effectively

Karbowski Counseling & Consulting
Call 989.892.8130
Email karbowski.counsel@att.net

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Thank you

Thank you for visiting the Therapy Farm. The answer to anything can be found here so, please, visit weekly, monthly, or never again. I'll be offering experiences from my private practice, sharing entertainment, and promoting accountability in Bay County, Michigan. Please share your questions and concerns. Keep them brief and respectful.

28 C's, Mmmmmmmighty Might

May is a marvelous month. We have occasion to celebrate the might of mothers and those in the military:

May 9th Mother's Day
15th United States Armed Forces Day
31st Memorial Day

May is also National Military Appreciation Month. Visit www.nmam.org/ for additional ways to honor and show appreciation for our mighty military. Let us respect and honor all military personnel and mothers for what they endure every day.

What else can you do?
Not all of these honorees will be celebrating. They all experience stress to varying degrees and often are reluctant to share their thoughts and feelings. Soldiers are expected to protect us --- who is protecting the soldiers? Mothers are expected to comfort their children --- who is comforting the mothers?

Stress is different for each person. It can be defined as the rate of wear and tear on your body. Even positive events can be tiring. Have you ever felt 'worn out' after a wedding celebration or vacation? These are examples of positive stress. One day in the life of a mother at home with children can be a very long day. Serving our country needs no explanation of the negative stress found there.

What else can you do?
Ask someone how they are doing. After they say, "fine", ask them again. They MIGHT just tell you . . .

See Philippians 4:6; it begins, "Have no anxiety at all . . .

Karbowski Counseling & Consulting . . .
providing life improvement services at prices affordable to all . . .
to assist in identifying and managing various stress disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, generalized anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Call 989.892.8130 for more information, or reply to this post.
Karen Karbowski, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor (CAAC)

28 C's, Up, down or in between?

These days, many of us are diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
Simply defined, anxiety is a fear of something; depression is a loss of hope.
When anxious you may feel jittery and distressed; your bodily functions are up on high alert. When depressed you may feel tired and sad; your body functioning is down. Both anxiety and depression are signs from your body that it's time for a change.

How do we achieve, and maintain, that in between state of functioning? An effective way is to seek balance in your day to day activities. Being involved in your own treatment is healthy and healing in itself. The human body is amazing in its ability to heal itself. Consider the following even if you are already in professional treatment.

__ Work almost everyday
__ Play everyday
__ Eat something nutritious everyday
__ Get enough sleep everyday
__ Connect with another human being everyday
__ Study the Ten Commandments. They provide hope to conquer depression and comfort to battle anxiety.
__ Go to church once a week. Studies indicate only positive results from attending church.

Karbowski Counseling & Consulting . . .
Care and concern for our community . . .
assisting individuals, groups, and organizations to find balance in this up and down world.

Call 989.892.8130 for more information, or reply to this post.
Karen Karbowski, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor (CAAC)

Only three more weeks until the world turns green OR when does too much fun become vomit?

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th. Thousands gather along Center Ave. in Bay City for the popular parade. You can participate as a spectator, a walker or runner in the road race, a float designer or operator, or provide musical entertainment. St. Patrick's Day allows us to un-hibernate and welcome spring, dig out our Kelly green clothing and accessories which are only fashionable three weeks from now, honor the hero Saint Patrick, and, OK, let's be honest, drink lots and lots of green beer!

Bay City has long been known for its bars. A couple of years ago, a beer tent near the parade route attracted more than 10,000 visitors. The parade, local small businesses, and the beer tent contribute to our economy in a positive way. We are doing our part to dig out of this recession.

Go to the parade. Go and have fun. Please understand that some people don't have that connection in their head that says, "Stop drinking now, you've had enough". Most of us drink alcohol responsibly, many of us abuse alcohol, and some of us become addicted to alcohol. Addiction is a process - it takes time. No one ever intends to become an addict. Think about it - do people really like to puke, do people really enjoy the three-step without music?

Contact

Karbowski Counseling & Consulting . . .
care and concern for our community . . .

to assist individuals, families, and organizations to understand the addiction process and make successful changes.
Call 989.892.8130 for more information.
Karen Karbowski, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor )CAAC)

28th Amendment of the United States Constitution

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States

28 C's

We do it every single year, usually with high hopes, then what happens to those New Years resolutions?

Change can be difficult or an exciting challenge. Usually, we hear about how hard it is, that people are resistant to change.

But consider babies. They go through changes rapidly and repeatedly. Have you ever seen a toddler learn to walk? They stand up, fall down. Stand up, fall down. Stand up, take a step, fall down. They keep falling down a whole bunch of times. And they keep standing up again a whole bunch of times and eventually learn to walk. You could call it practice.

Consider the older generation. How often do you hear that so and so is 'set in their ways'? Babies change quickly, older folks change slowly, if at all. What happens in between our toddler and golden years? And how are your New Years resolutions coming along?

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me (offered from a treatment group member).

P.S. 28 C's were going to be retired at the end of 2009 but due to popular demand this is a change that I am not going to make. Thank you for your support.

Something to warm you

Notes from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting Texas from Boston. "Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judges table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the two judges (native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted. Here are the scorecards from the event:


Chili #1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor.Very mild.
FRANK: Holy ****, what the hell is that stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.


Chili #2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili.
JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalepeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.


Chili #3: Fred's famous Burn Down The Barn Chili.
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose fells like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now, get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting ****faced from all the beer.


Chili #4: Bubba's Black Magic.
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burnout taste buds? Sally the barmaid was standing behind me with fresh refills; that 300lb. ***** is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?


Chili #5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover.
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding a considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne pepper makes a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. I wonder if I am burning my lips off? It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.


Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety.
JUDGE ONE: Thin, yet bold vegetarian variety. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions and garlic. Superb.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric inferno flames. I pooped myself when I farted, and am worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that barmaid Sally; she must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snowcone!


Chili #7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili.
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds as if it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like poop to match my damn shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful!!!

Get Involved in YOUR Community

Happy New Year Everyone
Have you made your resolutions yet? Are you looking for something to do? A group is forming of Bay County residents that expect responsible money management of tax dollars and accountability from local government servants. More than 41% of our household income goes toward some kind of tax and I am quite disappointed in where much of it goes.
Do you know how much of your household income is spent in taxes? Wouldn't you like to have more control of where your hard earned dollars go?
We all have some kind of talent. Do you know what yours is? For example, mine is NOT a total command of the grammatical rules of English. But I can facilitate a group and I'm a pretty good listener. Even if you believe you have no talents we still invite you to visit, and consider joining, Bay County/Bay City Taxpayers for Responsible and Accountable Government.

Family

"Call Sara"
I kept reminding myself during the Christmas season to call my niece Sara down in Georgia.
"Call Sara"
Get her address to send her a Christmas card and card of condolence after the recent loss of her grandfather.
I didn't get around to calling Sara. I was 'busy' with other things. However, Sara's mother called on Christmas Eve to inform me that Sara was dead.
Sara was only 25 years old. She was the only child of my brother who also died at a young age. Sara lay down with her four-year old daughter and two-year old son to take a nap early afternoon on Christmas Eve. A while later, her children could not wake her up.
Yesterday at church we were reminded of the importance of family. A couple of weeks ago at the same church we heard that 'no one knows the day or the time. . .'
Do you need to make a phone call or send an e-mail? Do it now.

Karbowski Counseling & Consulting
Care and concern for our entire community.
Call 989.892.8130 for more information, or e-mail to karbowski.counsel@att.net.
Karen Karbowski, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor (CAAC)

Term Limits

Sound political advice from Cleatis & Leroy. . .


Limit all US politicians to two terms:
One in office
One in prison
(Detroit already does this.)

Bangor Township board meeting Dec. 8th, 2009 follow-up.

Approximately 25 people attended, which is a substantial showing for a board meeting. Others sent written and verbal support because they could not attend on that date, and because they felt they could not attend due to fear of retaliation.

One agenda item of this meeting was to bill people directly for emergency services in Bangor Township. Tax payers already indirectly pay for emergency services through their property taxes. Here are two quotes from the board, regarding direct payment for emergency services, to emphasize why tax payers should be concerned.

1. "We need money."

2. "This ordinance can be changed at any time."

This issue was almost tabled because not all of the board members were clear about charges for medical care. The media was also mis-led by a township spokesperson. The BC Times and WNEM both minimized the issue stating that this was an ordinance that's been in effect for eleven years. The ordinance they're referring to is being REPLACED by a new ordinance. This new ordinance (law) allows Bangor Township to recover costs for police and fire and emergency medical services.

Tax payers, and others concerned about your community, get involved! We are trying to gather representatives from the 14 townships and five cities that comprise Bay County. There's a whole lot of redundancy and a lack of transparency of how your money is being spent.

Residents of Bangor Township

Residents of Bangor Township,
Your taxes are going up again, and again, and AGAIN. This time your personal safety is involved. You will now be charged for emergency response activities. You already pay for these services when you pay taxes and now you will be directly billed after any request for emergency medical, police, fire or emergency preparedness services. How long are we going to continue to let this happen? Bangor Township officials do not seem to have your best interests in mind, even though you pay their salaries.

What can you do?

1. Express your opinion by phone, letter, or by attending the monthly meeting this Tuesday, December 8th, at 6pm at The Township Administration Building, 180 State Park Drive. Phone numbers are 684-8041 or 684-8531. You will have at least two opportunities to share your thoughts and feelings:
a. Township officials want to increase the taxes you pay to support their proposed budget.
b. Township officials want you to pay directly (over and above your current taxes) for emergency responses.

2. Even if you just sit quietly at the meeting, your presence will be effective and appreciated. If you attend the meeting, you will have an opportunity to sign in (your name and address) and share your opinion. You may just write 'oppose' on the sign-in sheet if you'd rather not speak up at this time.

3. Reply to this e-mail or call me at 892-8130 to discuss future potential activities or for more information.

4. Please pass this e-mail on to those that you know live in Bangor Township, or that could pass it on to others that live in the township, and invite others to attend the monthly meeting this Tuesday, December 8th, at 6pm.

Thank you for your time and concern about your community.
Karen Karbowski

Holiday gift idea

My Shortest Drive

a book

by

Tiger Woods

What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for - a football game to start, sales at your favorite store, nothing, a phone call, the second coming of Christ, snow, more time, an unemployment extension, Spring, word from loved ones away from home, a raise, Christmas?
Most of us anticipate Christmas during the month of December.

On Christmas we celebrate the anniversary of Christs' birth, just like the anniversary of your birth is celebrated once a year on your birthday. Advent is the period of time before December 25th during which we anticipate, and prepare for, His birthday.

How many of you anticipate your birthday like Christmas? How many of you anticipate Christmas like your birthday? Whatever you're waiting for, Christ can make it easier.

Karbowski Counseling & Consulting, care and concern for our entire community.
Call 989.892.8130 for more information, or reply to this blog post. It is intended for everyone.
Karen Karbowski, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor (CAAC)

Adults pay taxes too

It's not only our children and grandchildren that have to pay taxes for government programs. More than 45% of our household income goes toward local, state, or federal government programs.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
......Abraham Lincoln

Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa

Poor, poor bear

This is a very sad story about a bear. Everybody should heed the warning to not feed wildlife because they become dependent and cannot forage for themselves anymore.

Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of having learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance. What a tragedy to see what the government has done to our country's wildlife!

Ha ha deer hunting

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls 911. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says, "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead."
There is a silence, then a shot is heard.
Back on the phone, the guy says, "OK, now what?"

Thank you to Dr. Gosall of Manchester, UK. His joke was chosen as the funniest joke in the world by laughlab.co.uk.

The Vetting Zoo

'Vet' means to examine or appraise expertly. While most of us are not experts, we do have opinions and experiences that can be useful to others when attempting to make an informed decision. Use this post as an opportunity to elect effective leaders in our communities of Bangor Township, Bay City, and Bay County. I love my town. I know it can be better.
Accountable Bay County. It can be as simple as A B C when we recognize each others' talents and work together.