There are four key steps to being successful in the counseling process:

WILLINGNESS

Many who need counseling either will not seek it or they come for therapy and are not willing to make any changes in their lives. They want others to change; they want their environment or circumstances to change but they are resistant to doing anything different themselves. It is surprising how much emotional pain a person can endure because they have difficulty embracing the idea of change.

We’ve all been told since we were small children that money can’t buy happiness. And many of us rely on this maxim throughout our lives, but perhaps not in the way we should.

Too often, we use this as a reminder. We buy, for instance, new furniture. We love our new furniture, but after a while we’re no longer in love with it, and wish we hadn’t bought it because, “After all, money can’t buy happiness.”

To really understand whether money can buy happiness, it’s necessary to define what we mean by “happiness.” In this sense, what most people mean by happiness is lasting fulfillment and joy in life.

Tears of sadness streamed down my face as I did what I knew I had to do. LET GO! Why was I crying? Because in my heart, I knew I had to write the goodbye letter, but my head really didn’t want to! Why does letting go cause us so much pain? Is there an easier way to release objects, relationships, and situations? You bet there is, but it’s something you’ll have to LEARN to do.

While in college in New Orleans, I lived with my best friend, Mike Burnett, in a basement apartment. One night before drifting off to sleep, I heard the rain outside coming down in sheets. I felt very happy to be in a dry and comfortable bed.

My next conscious thoughts were of my bed shaking. Upon opening my eyes, I saw Mike standing at the foot of my bed and heard his voice, “Bill, wake up, wake up!”

“Okay — what’s going on?” I groggily replied. Mike then said the most confusing thing to me, “Can I get on the bed with you?” I was fully awake now.

Last time, I talked about creativity in general,
discussed creative ‘blocks’ and provided strategies for Generation as a
way of being more creative.

This month, I’d like to focus on the second broad area I identified in the field of creativity – Synthesis.

The word ’synthesis’ is derived from the ancient Greek and
describes an integration of two or more pre-existing elements which
results in a new creation.

Using the creative process of Synthesis results in
modular thinking – “What if I took a feature from this thing and
added it to that one?” The process is one of breaking something down
into its component parts or features and then combining some of those
with elements from elsewhere.

How can you change and be the best that you can be. People generally would rather complain about what is wrong than change the situation or their circumstances. I understand the reasons for individuals doing this and the reasons are varied. However, what most people don’t realize is that by complaining, blaming and being overly vocal without taking action, they give away their power to change the situation or themselves. By complaining we put ourselves in the victim role. Are you willing to change and be the victor instead of the victim? Maybe it is time to be your own Hero and take charge of your life. It may be easier than you think and it could also be the best gift you ever give to yourself.