Last August I (Vern) decided to change the focus of how I interact with people.  I had worked for a rural mental health agency for over twenty years.  When I found I was focusing more on growth and not disorders and that govenmental regulations was telling me, more and more, what and how I was to help people I decided to change my approach to coaching and consulting.  I have been heavily influenced by the positive psychology movement, studies of resiliency and our Mind/Body connection as they each relate to health and well-being.  When one looks at the literature about resiliency, those people who seem to grow even in the face of adversity, it can be summarized as having meaing, direction and purpose in life, having meaningful connections with others and having a sense of competence.  When one or more of these three necessities of life are lacking, people experience some form of distress.  When a person has these three in some balance the person has a sense of well-being and finds peace and satisfaction in life.