Christmas Memories

Joyful experiences are forever dear.

Most people have good memories about Christmas. Despite the stress of shopping, and entertaining with family and friends, people make a concerted effort to spread the peace and joy of the season. There is no doubt that children benefit from the loving and thoughtful efforts parents, friends, and extended family put into making Christmas magic.

Memorable Christmas gifts are NOT always the ones that cost the most money. In fact, people remember thoughtful presents, crafts, ornaments, meals, or baked goods. Families fortunate enough to celebrate years of Christmas traditions together create meaningful memories for everyone.

Looking back on happy memories ensures that people have a wellspring of joy to draw upon whenever health, travel, or unexpected circumstances disrupt opportunities to be together with the ones we love.

Of course, all families have memories of tense Christmas memories as well. It is common for people to experience intense emotions, like sadness, and anxiety during the holidays as well. Everyone copes differently.

Some people argue and fight when they are stressed and anxious while others grow quiet and withdrawn. Indeed, there is a small group of people who dislike all the fuss of the Christmas Season – the crowds, expenses, and indulgences.

For those of us who love the Christmas Season, treasured time with friends and family is precious and coveted. Homemade decorations, photographs and recipes are kept for years and years, and in some cases for generations.

Christmas is a time for family and friends to celebrate together, establishing traditions of your own. Raising children in homes where traditions of togetherness and care is a priority transcends class, time, and culture. Spending quality family time celebrating traditions is as important as ever.

Happy family memories last a lifetime. Make this Christmas a beautiful one. Celebrating with all the people in your life makes your world a happy, safe, and healthy one.

#memories #emotions #happy #joy #yum #good #wellness

Values-based problem solving & next steps

Choosing next steps is akin to a chess move

When you have been in the field as long as I have, it is plain to see that people need time, support, and kindness when deciding next steps on matters of most importance.

Saying “yes” or “no” to a person’s overtures for romance, friendship, or companionship requires a lot of steps. Some of the ways you land on a decision are clear to you, and other factors may be less so.

Deciding to move on with your career, earn another diploma or certificate, or gain a new skill also involves conscious and unconscious problem solving steps.

Easy factors to understand major life moves are usually practical and include reasons like an increase in salary, gaining new skills, meeting new people, and professional growth and advancement.

More deeply held reasons for making decisions are values-based. Your values do shape the ways you make decisions even where these values are hidden from view.

What is a value and how does it impact your problem solving may require some time to re-surface. Values are core principles that provide you with your own guide for healthy living. Your personal values are usually formed in your early years and reflect your ancestry, culture, and traditions.

When you are immersed in situations, relationships, workplaces, or perspectives that are fundamentally contrary to your value-systems, your health may suffer.

Counselling often reveals the ways your core perspectives have been compromised, misused, or undervalued. It is only when you take the time to deeply think about your next steps in relation to your personal values that solutions to problems reveal themselves.

Life is like a game of chess. People however are not pawns to be played with in a game of life. Instead, every person has a right to speak up when personal values are infringed upon and to act in your own best interests when your values are not shared or honoured.

Health and wellness happens when you live in congruence with your deeply held values of honesty, loyalty, hospitality, respect, equity, justice, and charity. What will your next move entail and why is it important for you to make this decision ?

#wellness #health #counselling

Professional Life Coaching

Finding a life coach is an excellent idea, especially during important milestones. Securing a mentor or coach following your graduation, promotion, or transition to retirement offers a new way to process your plans with a trusted helper.

Professional Coaching is a worthwhile investment.

Coaching is uniquely different from consulting, mentoring, or counseling. Although talk-based and usually didactic, coaching is best provided by a person whose professional and personal achievements align with your own. Akin to sports-based approaches, a coach is someone with implicit and explicit understanding of the areas you intend to improve, move towards, or achieve.

There are many places to learn about models of coaching online that incorporate evidence-based psychotherapy techniques and clinical experience.

Paying for a professional coach ensures that you are invested in the work. A mentor is usually a voluntary relationship where a seasoned person offers to counsel and support new team members. Mentoring does not involve any financial reconciling.

Your relationship with your coach requires trust, respect, and motivation. Your sessions should be results oriented and inspiring. Tasks identified and steps required to achieve them are planned in purposeful and manageable ways. A coaching plan is also documented, shared, and re-evaluated at points in the process that make sense.

A relationship with your coach may continue for months or years. The indicators of success include improved mood, increased confidence, and overall satisfaction with your lifestyle and professional career, and job promotions.

Finding the right coach takes time and may include meeting with a few before you find the right one for you. Coaches bring different skills to the work.

A health and wellness coach with a proven track record offers professionals a coaching model that centralizes your personal and family values in your overall plans for success.

Health and Wellness Coaching is values-based, and offers professionals opportunities to explore your goals without compromising your beliefs or integrity.

Find the right professional coach today. You are worth it!

Stay tuned for Lakeside Wellness Therapy Affiliates Online Coaching Certificate.

http://www.modernsocialworker.ca

Dr. Lisa Romano-Dwyer, Owner