The Shulman Center 1

Happy New Year from The Shulman Center!

Compulsive Theft, Spending & Hoarding Newsletter January 2012

In This Issue

2012--Not Just Another Year?

2012 Events Calendar

Celebrating 20 years
of Serving People!

I began my recovery journey in early 1990. Two years later, in 1992, I was sworn in as a Michigan attorney and soon founded the first Detroit area C.A.S.A. (Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous) chapter. Over the last two decades, I have been honored and excited to have found various ways to help people both in my community as well as around the globe.

I could have never imagined where my life would take me. I am thankful for my recovery and the ongoing support of so many people that have made it possible. I don't know what the future will bring but I still look forward to life's amazing, ever-unfolding adventure!

Quotes of the Month

I heal the world by healing myself.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.

I'm sorry, please forgive me, I love you, thank you.

Stats of the Month

Cyber Monday 2011 sales increased 33% of 2010's sales, spending nearly $1.25 billion. (IBM Coremetrics)

Overall 2011 holiday sales were expected to increase about 3% over 2010's holiday sales for a total of $465 billion.

(National Retail Fed)

More than 10% of the US population shoplifts.

(The Shulman Center)

Person of the Month

Tina Shulman, my wife of nearly ten years, has been one of my most passionate, consistent supporters--spurring me to finishing my first book and to start my own therapy practice. She has been with me through thick and thin and has played an integral role in both the day-to-day and longer term vision of The Shulman Center.

Tina has been a quiet, steady presence behind the scenes and I look forward to her playing an increasingly vital role in 2012.

They say behind every great man is a great woman (or vice-versa). I couldn't keep doing what I'm doing without my partner's love, faith, & vision.

Book of the Month

The Hoarder In You:

How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life

by Dr. Robin Zasio, 2011

There have been so many books published on hoarding over the last several years but Dr. Zasio's recent tome is well-worth reading. She's one of the primary therapists featured on A&E Network's Hoarders.

This 200-page book is well-written and well- organized and speaks not only to the more severe cases of hoarding but, as the title suggests, to the hoarding tendencies we all possess: where they originate, why they might progress, and how to tackle them through therapeutic and practical strategies.

Film of the Month

"Shame" (2011) directed by Steve McQueen and starring Michael Fass-bender, Carrie Mulligan.

Rated NC-17 for explicit nudity and sexuality, this well-acted film tackles the topic of sexual addiction and depicts its progression and various forms with skill and compassion.

Many films have documented the tragic scourges of alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling addiction, but this film is rare and timely as we are only recently starting to accept and provide treatment for sex addiction--still a very controversial issue.

"Shame" doesn't fully explore the origins of its characters compulsive nature, but there is no mystery about their misery and that sex--as drug--brings little real relief and contributes to more problems. The sex depicted was, to this viewer, not sexy but sad and pathetic: the true face of addiction.

Happy New Year 2012! Whether you've recently signed-up or have been a subscriber since our launch seven years ago in early 2005, we welcome you and hope you find value and interest here.

We are trying out a new e-Newsletter format and hope you find it more readable and user-friendly. We apologize if this email has reached you in error. If you wish to unsubscribe, please do so, or contact us for assistance.

Please note: Mr. Shulman's four books are now available as e-books through www.amazon.com:

Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery

Biting The Hand That Feeds: The Employee Theft Epidemic

Bought Out and $pent! Recovery from Compulsive $hopping

Cluttered Lives, Empty Souls: Stealing, Spending & Hoarding

Compulsive Theft, Spending & Hoarding

on the move and in the news!

December 2, 2011-- CLICK HERE to see Mr. Shulman' panel interview in The New York Times' "Room for Debate" online forum on compulsive shopping/spending.

December 6, 2011-- CLICK HERE to see Mr. Shulman's article on compulsive shopping/spending in The Wall Street Journal.

December 20, 2011--See Mr. Shulman's article on shoplifting addiction in at: www.recoverytoday.net/articles

December 20, 2011-- CLICK HERE to see Mr. Shulman's book Something for Nothing in Winter 2011 Paradigm article on shoplifting addiction.

December 28, 2011--Mr. Shulman was interviewed by Tom Lietaert on compulsive theft, spending, hoarding and money. CLICK HERE to see the interview.

2012--Not Just Another Year?

According to polls and many I've spoken to or worked with, 2011 was a year that couldn't end soon enough. As the global recession and various wars continued, politics got uglier and, well, many seem to think 2012 can't be much worse.

Many have heard about 2012 as the year the ancient Mayan calendar ends (on 12/21/12) which has been interpreted either as a doomsday prophecy or, conversely, as the coming of some positive quantum shift(s) for mankind and planet Earth. Whatever happens, as Shakespeare said: "only thinking makes it so."

2012 will be a monumental year for most Americans with our presidential election. It is also a pivotal year for potential war or peace with the withdrawal of troops from Iraq (and Afghanistan as hoped for by summer). Will the Arab Spring freeze in this winter or continue to bloom? Will the Occupy movement grow or dissipate? Will the world's economy rebound or crack?

When I get anxious about the future, I have to continually remind myself to stay in the day. I also have to remind myself to focus on the essence of the Serenity Prayer--to have the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I can't, and the wisdom to know the difference.

2011 certainly had its ups and downs but what year doesn't? I'm choosing to remain positive about 2012 as a whole. I look forward to being part of the solution rather than part of the problem--whatever we judge the "problem" to be.

What steps can you take to help the planet and mankind evolve into what you hope to see? Be the change you want to see.

Where we see greed, may we practice generosity (with self/others).
Where we see dishonesty, may we practice honesty
and integrity.
Where we see strife, may we practice peace and serenity.
Where we see ignorance, may we practice compassion and understanding.
Where we see anger and revenge, may we practice forgiveness.
Where we see lack, may we practice gratitude and abundance.
Where we see doom, may we practice hope and trust.

Let us each do our best to take one day at a time to help co-create a better life for us all. Our thoughts and feelings and actions have ripple effects beyond what we may realize.

Walk in peace.

The Shulman Center 2012 Events Calendar

January 20, 2012--Mr. Shulman is offering a 3-hour online webinar on helping counseling clients with legal issues. See www.recoverytoday.net

January 20, 2012--Mr. Shulman to attend monthly meeting of Detroit Area Hoarding Taskforce.

March 5, 2012--Mr. Shulman to present on compulsive theft, spending and hoarding at Annual Detroit Area Conference on Problem Gambling. See www.nso-mi.org

April 2012 (Date TBA)--Mr. Shulman to help organize and possibly present at metro-Detroit forum on communication and conflict resolutions skills.

April 2012 (prospective)--Mr. Shulman may present on helping counseling clients with legal issues at the Annual Michigan Social Workers Conference.

May 2012 (prospective)--Mr. Shulman may present on compulsive theft, spending and hoarding at the Michigan State Bar's Annual Evening of Enlightenment through the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program.

June 2012 (prospective)--Mr. Shulman may present on compulsive shoplifting/stealing at the Annual Pretrial Intervention Professionals Conference in New Orleans, LA.

August 2012 (prospective)--Mr. Shulman may present at the Annual Addictions Studies Institute in Columbus, OH.

August 2012 (prospective)--Mr. Shulman may present on compulsive theft, spending and hoarding at the Annual Cape Cod Institute summer conference in Cape Cod, MA.

September 2012 (prospective)--Mr. Shulman may present on compulsive theft, spending and hoarding at the National Conference on Addictive Disorders in Orlando, FL.

September 2012--C.A.S.A. (Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous) metro-Detroit celebrates 20-year anniversary.

Ongoing ...

Mr. Shulman is currently working with a producer from ABC's 20/20 on shoplifting addiction.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana court system has a court-ordered, facilitated educational program for retail fraud offenders. The program is based on material from Mr. Shulman's book Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery.

Mr. Shulman created a 1-hour employee theft online course with 360 Training. Learn why people steal from their jobs, how to deter it, prevent it, and what to do when confronted with it. Enroll at: http://theshulmancenter.360training.com

Mr. Shulman is consulting on a major motion picture tentatively called "The Rush" in which the lead character is addicted to shoplifting and stealing.

Mr. Shulman created an online continuing education course on compulsive shopping and spending called Bought Out and $pent! based on his book and Power Point presentation. The course, CEs offered, through The American Psychotherapy Association. at:http://www.americanpsychotherapy.com

START YOUR NEW YEAR with MONEY LIFE-COACHING!

Tom Lietaert of Sacred Odyssey and the Intimacy with Money programs offers individual money coaching as well as various group workshops on money. Check out his websites at www.sacredodyssey.com / www.intimacywithmoney.com