Monthly Archives: October 2013

On Making Your Dream A Reality – Drawing inspiration from my friend Brandon Chrostowski

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We all have dreams, don’t we?  I’m not talking about the one where you are back in college and find yourself taking a final exam only to discover in a panic that you actually never attended any classes the entire semester (hmm, wonder if that actually ever happens?).Edwin's

The dreams I’m referring to are the ones that keep us motivated and give us hope.  Keeping one’s dreams in sight can actually help us get through the drudgery of our current but temporary circumstances.  I believe dreams represent us at our best and can help us define who we want to be and what our legacy to society might be.

My friend Brandon Chrostowski’s dream has been in the making for a while.  He has long wanted to combine his extensive culinary experience and expertise with his vision to positively impact those who essentially have been given a second chance in this world.

Brandon’s dream will come to fruition (officially) on November 1st when Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute opens its doors.   Best described in its mission statement, Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute is:

“A unique approach at giving underprivileged and formerly-incarcerated adults a foundation in the hospitality industry while providing a support network necessary for a successful reentry. Edwins’ goals is to enhance the community of Cleveland’s vulnerable neighborhoods by providing its future leaders.”

I’ve been fortunate to see Edwins “hatch” over the past 18 months (although Brandon’s been working on it much longer than that).  Brandon has put together an amazing team of individuals who have contributed – in so many different ways – to make his dream a reality.

BrandonEdwins is going to be great for the Cleveland community.  I hope you will check out Edwins’ website (http://edwinsrestaurant.org/mission/) or take a look at the great article written recently from Joel Crea of The Plain Dealer (http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/10/edwins_restaurant_outreach_to.html#incart_river#incart_m-rpt-1).

Then please make it a point to visit Edwins in in the very near future.  Not only will you be supporting the community, you’ll get to enjoy some amazing haute French cuisine that is unmatched in this area. (Compliments of chef de cuisine, Gilbert Brenot).

Never give up on those dreams, and in the meantime, Bon appétit!!

Stressed out? Then Keep a Journal.

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Journaling Offers Proven Cognitive AND Physical Benefits in Managing Stress

I’ve kept a journal for as long as I can remember. My journals are usually written in a rambling stream of consciousness that would make even Walter Mitty say “WTF?” But more often, I write about what’s on my mind at the time, whether it’s a challenge I’m facing or a decision that I must make. JOurnal

Keeping a journal is therapeutic to me, not only because I can be candid, but also because it allows me to really see situations more clearly so I can take the right course of action for myself.  It was especially cathartic for me to keep a journal during my 2007 battle with cancer as it allowed me to more clearly recognize and manage my emotions and express myself.  It also served to document the entire ordeal for me since I knew that I would never be able to recount everything after treatment, due to some serious “chemo-brain.”  I recently found that journal from six years ago and while it was bittersweet re-reading it, I was glad to discover things that I didn’t remember about events, my treatment, and most importantly, about myself.

The kind of journaling I’m referring to isn’t the commonly perceived “log” of the days’ events.  It’s the kind that can work as a self-improvement tool; one that can ultimately lead to a clearer understanding of events and situations that yield more effective problem-solving skills.  Moreover, writing regularly in a journal positively affects not only emotional well-being, but physical well-being too (I’ll get to that in a moment).

Anne Frank is one of the most well-known journaler.  Her writing not only recorded unimaginable historical events, but just as importantly gives us access into the mind of a human being whose resilience and optimism prevailed in the midst of palpable fear and distress.  Anne never thought anyone would ever read her diary.  She wrote as a way to cope with her emotions and relieve stress during the direst of circumstances. 

How Journaling Affects Our Physical Well-being
Scientific evidence supports the assertion by many that journaling on a regular basis can truly help one de-stress.  Studies have shown that the very act of writing can calm nerves, diminish stress and bolster healing.

A clinical study by the Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine, sought to determine if writing about stressful life experiences affects disease status in patients with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis.  The study concluded that “Patients with mild to moderately severe asthma or rheumatoid arthritis who wrote about stressful life experiences had clinically relevant changes in health status at 4 months compared with those in the control group.”  (See study at:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10208146).

More compelling is the conclusion from a University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher, James Pennebaker, who contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes (see article at http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/000721).  Journaling is also frequently recommended in therapy for victims who were harmed from a traumatic event.   Writing about the event helps them more effectively process the event and in turn, let go of emotions that can hinder the healing process.

Dr. Pennebaker has written a book specifically dedicated helping these individuals.  The book is called: “Writing to Heal: A guided journal for recovering from trauma & emotional upheaval” (New Harbinger Publications, 2004).

There are also cognitive benefits to journaling that include sharper problem-solving skills.  Journaling engages both hemispheres of the brain which helps us sort our experiences more clearly, providing us with a better understanding of the situation and how to find the most appropriate solutions to our challenge.

I suppose journaling isn’t for everyone, but if there’s another way to help keep your stress-levels in check and at the same time improve your clarity and problem-solving skills, why not give it a try? You might finally be able to come up with that “Aha” solution to cope with any challenges you are having, whether they be work-related or personal.

Do you keep a journal?  If so, what do you think is the greatest benefit to journaling? I’d love to hear your thoughts.