Feeling good about what I HAVE accomplished

         As a therapist it is often my job to help clients make changes in their lives.  Sometimes what needs to be changed is obvious, sometimes it takes a while to discover exactly what the difficulties are.   Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite, I know what changes I strive for in my life, yet I cannot seem to take the leap and make the commitment to change.  I can plan all day long how to make the change but when it comes to execution of those plans I always seem to fall short, lose motivation, get side tracked, and eventually give up.  Thankfully, I seem to get back on track at some point which is better than giving up for ever.   
       Relapse is a part of recovery.   We don't look down upon an addict that has a relapse, we use it as a learning experience.  What happen, what went wrong, what can we better prepare for next time, what did you learn?   As a therapist, we hope that the tools that we teach our client's make those relapses less frequent and last for a shorter duration each time.    I am not an addict, but I can equate some of the things I teach my client's to everyday life.   When you have a plan and then you get thrown off course,  think about what pushed you off of your path.  Is it something you had control over?  What change can you make to prevent it from happening again?  Have a big picture in mind, but break into little pieces that are manageable.  Celebrate the small steps.  Feel good about what you have accomplished, instead of feeling bad about what you didn't do.
      Organization is big on my list for the year and with a 3 day weekend I felt as though I should have accomplished much more than I did.   I did a little cleaning of my desk yesterday, listed a few things on ebay & craigslist, and talked the husband into going through 3 years worth of children's school work with me,  but I still don't feel like I accomplished anything great.  Actually, I am pretty sure I made a bigger mess then before I did anything! Right now, at 10:30 am on the last day of the weekend, I know that I still have time to do more.  So that's what I am going to do.   I am making a commitment continue with the small steps.  Tonight when I go to sleep I will not think about what I didn't do, but I will feel good about what I did do. 

On a sidenote,  here is a picture of my number 1 priority(s), my family.   Everything that I strive to do better I do for myself and them. 
-JP

   
      

Winter Break is finally OVER!

   The school district that our children are in provide them with one very long three week winter vacation.   For my children that started early with each of them spending some time with the Flu.  Tomorrow, they all go back to school.   I have enjoyed spending extra time with the kids and they have been pretty good but it is time for them to go spend some time with their teacher and friends.  This will also be the first full work week for Justice in 3 weeks and extra hours for me counseling.  The end of the holiday season is finally here.  
        My main New Years Resolution is to become more organized (I am pretty sure I have had this resolution for several years in a row) and to continue to get in shape (pretty sure this has been on the list for awhile too)!    Justice and I are trying to get on the same page with organizing the house.  I fear it may be difficult at times as he is much more into having "things" then I am.    When I picture calm, I think of a house with next to nothing in it, and/or everything in its place, in its proper room, no piles of anything, no toys that no-one plays with, just the basics.
       For those that have seen my house, you will know that it is quite the opposite.  I know that with three kids and a husband my "dream" home is probably just a dream, but I know that it can be more calm and relaxing then what it is.  With the everyday craziness that we experience (mornings, afterschool, sporting activities for 3 kids, cub scouts, dinner, kids homework, my work, grocery shopping, Justice working,  etc.)  I want me and my family to feel relaxed in our home.  I want to be able to play with my kids and not be thinking about all the other stuff that I need to get done.  I want to sit down at the end of the day and just relax without seeing a table filled with clutter, paper, and toys.   I know that with some hard work, lots of time, and a Garage sale life can be a little less complicated.

What's your New Years Resolution!?!

Welcome to 2013

         Everyone knows that January is all about resolutions, making changes, getting organized, and setting goals.  I plan on being just like everyone else this year with setting goals.  Not sure exactly what those are yet but I plan to have a good idea in the next few days.   I know that getting organized and updating this blog is on my list!   
        Most that read this will have received Christmas cards with a brief synopsis of what happen in 2012 so no need to rehash that here.   Today is about moving forward and making 2013 the best it can be!     HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-JP