We inspire families and individuals to overcome the disease of
addiction by creating real, long-term solutions!
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Facebook May Double Your Donation on Nov. 30th! |
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Today is Giving Tuesday! If you are able to make a donation, consider setting your alarm for 7:55 am EST to increase your chances of receiving a 100% match from Facebook when you use this link to make your contribution at exactly 8:00 am! We are very grateful for the generosity of all our supporters. Whether it is time, talent or treasure that you give throughout the year,
your contribution is essential to our mission and vision
and is greatly appreciated!
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Do you know someone who might also
like to receive The TCI Connection each month?
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"Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values."
-Thomas S. Monson
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TriCircle Honors All of the
December Holidays Celebrated
Around the World!
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Christmas, in the Christian faith, is the historical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether celebrated for this religious reason or solely as a cultural celebration...See More
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. Those who took part in the re-dedication witnessed...See More
Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 after the Watts riots in Los Angeles. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. From there...See More
Boxing Day takes place on December 26. Only celebrated in a few countries, the holiday originated in the United Kingdom during the Middle Ages. It was the day when the alms box, collection boxes for the poor often kept in churches...See More
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Learn more about TriCircle, Inc. and
consider a donation today!
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The TCI Video Series
A video series, created exclusively for TriCircle, Inc., features our founder and Executive Director, Ana Gopoian, Ken Cairns and Fred Hayden, two parents of families affected by Substance Use Disorders and the Disease of Addiction. All of our videos can be viewed on YouTube using the link below.
We welcome you to watch:
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From the Desk of Ana Gopoian
"The Gratitude List"
When we talk about gratitude, often two words come to mind - Thank You. I believe appreciating the people in our lives is key to inspiration. Being appreciated is too.
Harvard Health Publishing offers the following:
Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis:
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Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter or email expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person's impact on your life. Send it or, better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.
- Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.
- Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you've received each day. Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.
- Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude. Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as "peace"), it is also possible to focus on what you're grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.).
I started "The Gratitude List" in my early recovery, and I now share it regularly with the folks in our Hope & Support Groups and on my personal Facebook page. I believe gratitude resonates on a deeply personal level, but sharing it can inspire us to perform kind acts for others, improve our relationships, connect us more closely to the people around us, and practice humility. It can encourage us to make progress toward our goals. As we sift, sort and navigate the waters of gratitude together, we find a space where inspiration, hope, peace, resilience and love grows. Together WE are Stronger!
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Grief and The Holidays
by Christine Motto Gagnon, TCI Board Chair
Ironic, isn’t it? The most wonderful time of the year and dealing with the heartbreak of the loss of a loved one.
For those grieving, the holidays can be unfamiliar terrain. Whichever holiday you celebrate, this time is filled with fond memories of loved ones yet absent from your traditions. Acknowledging the difficulties of holidays after loss does not make it easier, but preparation for the holidays by tapping into coping strategies may provide some help.
CHOOSE – You have the power!
- During the holidays, it is easy to do what you always have done, yet it may potentially increase your pain. If you are not up for the past traditions, it is ok to say no. Decide what you want to be part of, whom you want to be with, and what you want to do.
- You may also want to consider how to honor your loss during the holidays. Finding ways to recognize and acknowledge the person can bring a positive focus on your grief. This can be done in a number of ways. Lighting a candle, placing a special ornament on a tree, or simply raising a glass for a holiday toast honoring your loved one are simple ways to acknowledge the loss felt so strongly this time of year.
COMMUNICATE – You have the power!
- Discuss openly your choices for this holiday season, especially to those affected by them. They may not agree and that is OK. If you have always hosted a holiday brunch but are not up for it this year, letting people know up front can take the burden off you.
COMPROMISE – You have the power!
- Everyone deals with loss is his or her own way and, therefore, has different needs. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Leaving space for compromise is important. For example, you always attend religious services with the family on the holiday. But this year, you decide that you are not going to attend. You, instead, are going to a special memorial church service. You can invite the family to join you. This will open the door to include family, but those who choose not to would be respected.
Nothing is easy on this journey of loss. But, if you choose your actions, communicate your choices with others, and find suitable compromises, you may find that they become bearable and that you can have renewed strength and hope.
YOU HAVE THE POWER!
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December Spotlight
Meet the TCI Communications &
Public Relations Advisory Board
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Trish Williams
lives in Meriden and is enjoying her retirement by spending time with her grandchildren and her friends. She hopes to begin traveling again soon! Trish is also on the TriCircle Scholarship Committee and the Fundraising and Events Committee.
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Elizabeth Fullerton
lives in Florida. She teaches movement classes in a retirement community and loves being considered a youngster. When not working she is walking the beach, admiring her grandchildren and talking on the phone with her sisters.
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Christine Motto Gagnon is the current TCI Board Chair and comes with over 25 years of success in her field. She is the New England/New York territory manager for TSC Apparel, a top clothing wholesaler in the US. When she has down time she loves spending it with her family.
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Ceci Iliff lives in Norwich with her boyfriend Pat. She is committed to raising money for TCI and hosts fun events during the year through TheCharityChallenge.net. She enjoys reading and traveling in her spare time.
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Lenore McLean lives in Middletown with her husband, two ancient pugs and her cat. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, gardening and genealogy recording. Lenore is the Chair of the TCI C&PR Advisory Board.
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Special thanks to Danielle Cosme, owner of Double the Cakes Company for providing the delicious cupcakes that we will be sharing at our Annual Meeting on December 5th!
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November
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Tuesday, November 30 - Giving Tuesday Set your alarm for 7:55 am to increase your chances of a matching gift from Facebook!
December
- Sunday, December 5, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Annual Holiday Meeting, Gaylord Hospital, Chauncey Building
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Wed., Dec 1 and Wed., Dec. 15 - Doors open at 5:00 pm, first game begins at 6:00 pm - Drop In Setback, 1741 Pub & Grill, Middlefield.
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Setback Kicked Off Again on Wed., November 17th
Here is an event link to our Setback games:
Join us for some raffles, prizes, food and FUN!
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TheCharityChallenge.net, in partnership with the Department of Children and Families,
98.7 WNLC, TriCircle, Inc. and Bags of Hope, is once again hosting our Spread the Seeds of Change for Children
Holiday Gift Drive! Click the image on the left to find out how
you can help or click here to make a donation today!
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The Holidays Are Here
As the mother of four children, I found Christmas to be a very stressful time. Not only the gifts, the decorations and the cooking, but also the anticipation of disappointment. Did I find the right gifts? Is the dinner as good as my mother-in-law’s? Did I balance Santa fun with my family's religious traditions? Looking back from a place of wisdom (and age), I realize I wasted time, money and energy anticipating disappointment! My children with substance use disorder have taught me that I am not in charge of the feelings or reactions of others. Each person in my family is responsible for his or her feelings and behaviors. I learn and relearn this every day. Change comes slowly, but it is worth the effort!
Elizabeth Kirby Fullerton, PhD
elizabethkirbyfullerton@gmail.com
(904) 309-3906
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CLINICAL SERVICES
Are Now Available
TriCircle, Inc. strives to offer Clinical Services that meet the individual needs of those who choose to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance their journey toward healing. We are accepting new clients. Our master’s level clinicians offer a range of evidence-based programs, giving clients and their families the opportunity to grow, change and maintain long-term recovery.
Click here to learn more about our Clinical Services or call
(860) 349-7074 to set up an intake.
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Engage in Self Care!
All Meetings Are Now In Person With a Virtual Option
TriCircle's Hope & Support and Hope After Loss Group meetings
are now available in the following CT towns: Berlin, Danielson,
Middlefield, Southington, Wallingford,
Putnam and Somers.
Due to the Annual Meeting, the regularly scheduled Wallingford
Hope & Support group is being moved to December 19, in our new in person location at Master's Manna, 428 South Cherry St., Wallingford.
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WANT TO HELP?
DO YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING ON
AMAZON SMILE!
It is so easy! First, be sure to sign up on Amazon Smile and choose TriCircle, Inc. as your recipient organization. Do all your holiday shopping online! Then, every single time you make a purchase from the Smile.Amazon site, a percentage will be donated to us! It doesn’t cost you a thing!
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Click the images below to find out how!
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Do you know someone who might also
like to receive The TCI Connection each month?
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TriCircle, Inc. has earned the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency. |
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