Josh Luhman jokes that he bowls for a living. His day job is actually at Hornbacher’s Village West store in Fargo, where he bags groceries, wrangles carts, and loads cars in the drive-up lane. Josh has been working at Hornbacher’s for about a decade, after a placement through Connections, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities find employment. Three nights a week, though, you’ll find Josh at either All Star Bowl or Sunset Lanes, both in Moorhead. He started bowling as a teenager because it was something fun to do. Why Bowling? When asked why he likes to bowl, Josh says it's because [...]

So, you took the plunge into Dry January, and you're reaping all the benefits: you have more energy, you're sleeping well, and your overall mood has increased. Continuing Dry January can keep that healthy feeling going. Here are a few tips for staying sober after the beginning of the year. Bask in the Positivity If staying sober is a positive life choice for you, treat it like one. This is a beneficial change in your life that makes you feel good, so there's no need to hide it or be wary of what people may think. You are taking care of yourself and feeling better - celebrate that! Make It a [...]

January is National Mentoring Month! It's the perfect time to explore the impact that mentoring youth makes on their lives. You can change the lives of kids in your community by becoming a Big. Here are just a few examples of what mentorship offers to kids: Better in school Grades Attendance Graduation 80% improvement in academic performance ? Better attitude about school 55% less likely than their peers to skip school Better school attendance (There's no place like school) Increased high school graduation rates (Diploma, here I come! ?) Lower high school dropout rates Help a Child Be Better [...]

January feels like the perfect time to practice mindfulness and find new ways of healing. At the beginning of every new year, millions of people reflect on their accomplishments, difficulties, and things they didn’t get quite right in the past 365 days. Traditionally people come up with resolutions or goals to work toward in the coming year to improve some area of their life. While we always encourage enhancing the quality of your well-being, it's also important to remember that you are still the same amazing you. With that in mind, here are a few tips to consider as you seek improvement and [...]

Recovering from addiction and substance abuse can feel like a big challenge, especially during the holidays. People often spend the holidays drinking with family and friends, but for many, the celebration is more about their successful journey to recovery. And we're here to help you stay on that path! Here are eight tips to help you avoid a holiday relapse this season: Avoid high-risk situations Don't find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before heading home or going out for the holidays, think about the people and places you should avoid. Don't call up your old drinking/using [...]

Holidays are synonymous with family gatherings. Whether that excites you or causes a knot to form in your stomach, there are always family members you might not want to deal with. Help alleviate some of your holiday stress with these tips on dealing with difficult situations during family holidays. Questions to Ask When Handling Conflict Is this my battle? Asking yourself, "Is this my battle?" can help you decide if this should land on your shoulders. If you are concerned with how your children are parenting their kids or with how your sister is being treated by her husband, consider if the [...]

It's the holiday season! During this time of year, one form of celebration is giving to others. For some, this is their time to shine (shoutout to those who have gifts as their top love language ?), and for others, it can cause more stress than necessary. This season, make your giving easier by choosing a theme, like mental health, to focus your gifts around. Show your loved ones that you want them to prioritize their well-being with presents that promote mental health and encourage acts of mindfulness. Here are a few suggestions for self-care gifts: Daily Inspiration Journals Keep the self [...]