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You may have just
finished the best or maybe even the most difficult year of your life.
I have walked with folks who have lost jobs, been transferred or downsized.
How can you really downsize a human being? That's really an oxymoron when
we realize God's high opinion of His creation! I have prayed with people
who have buried loved ones, endured chemotherapy and known the loss of
friends in the World Trade Towers.
And there are plenty among us who begin the
New Year realizing how blessed they are and that God has given them wonderful
opportunities. No matter how you start the New Year, make sure you take
some intentional steps to also become a new person. Yes, to change and
adapt so that life is a growing process and you face the joys, challenges
and disappointments with all the resources and strength at your disposal.
So, I highly recommend finding a place and
people to worship God with and grow in faith. It is the foundation for
a blessed and confident life. Next, face your fears, problems and anxieties
with all the resources at your disposal. I asked Carol Zepf, the director
of the Hillside Counseling Center to speak to the issue of "resolutions"
for the New Year and here is her response.
"What exactly is a "resolution?" The dictionary
defines a resolution as the act or process of reducing to a simpler form.
To "resolve" a problem or situation, we first stand back and look at the
big picture. It is in looking at that big picture where many times we
get stuck. Even when we make our most sincere New Year's resolution, we
sometimes see no hope —- no solution to our resolution. Many of
our problems or situations seem to be unmanageable, especially when others
are involved. As hard as we try, we become overwhelmed. In frustration,
we may give-up, and in some cases things even get worse. What is the point
in trying?
"In his book, The 12 Steps to Happiness (Klass,
1982), Joe Klass states that there are twelve steps that can vastly improve
anyone's life. In taking step one, we admit that we are powerless to the
unmanageability of our lives. It is from that foundation that we are able
to seek help. Change is inevitable. We can improve, or we can worsen.
We don't have to leave the outcome to chance. We can get counsel, and
it is in the search for answers that we begin to change. Yes, this New
Year is a great time to begin the process of resolution."
My thanks to Carol for her good answers and
the reminder that when we are faced with a crisis and or major challenges,
it is the mature and appropriate response to seek a trained counselor
to walk with us toward recovery. I really appreciate what I have heard
Carol say so many times, "If you want to dwell on the past, I can't help
you. But if you want to move forward, then you can be healed." This reminds
me of one of my favorite scriptures, when Jesus said, "Behold I make all
things new!" (Revelation 21:5)
You are welcome to contact the Hillside Counseling
Center at (770) 924-8517. You will find licensed, well-trained and compassionate
counselors whose calling is to care for you and assist you toward recovery
and managing the trials of life. Happy New Year! And here's to the happy,
new you!
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