Begin This New Year’s Resolution With A THANKS!
| A NOTE FROM DR. RICK Begin This New Year’s Resolution With A THANKS! The New Year is here and you know what’s coming. Family members, friends and coworkers will ask, “What are your resolutions this year?” Usually it’s just an idle conversation starter. But sometimes they are seriously interested, which may mean to you that you need to get serious about making one. The very idea may make you annoyed, anxious or even depressed. The trouble with those New Years’ resolutions is that they are notoriously hard to keep. In fact, research about the success rate (yes, people do research these things) is pretty grim. About 80% or more of resolutions fail by February; most in the first 48 hours! And yet 45% or more of Americans admit to making them. Even those who don’t actually make them do generally muse about whether they should or could. How about an attitude adjustment as a new year resolution? What if we make more of an effort to thank those around us more often? What do you feel when someone thanks you for something? For a comment in a meeting, or a task you may have done at home or work. It’s a small extra step taken to present an encouraging word to someone. Think of a time when you were encouraged. For myself, when I reflect upon the kind words of gratitude or affirming me for something I may have done, it illuminates my day. Often years later I will recall that compliment and gratitude to help me in times when I may be struggling. You probably feel recognized, appreciated, and that you matter to the other person; maybe a little surprised, maybe wondering if you really deserve it, but also glad they acknowledged you. Turning it around, when you say “thank you” to someone, it’s a small confirming moment, a confirmation of a thoughtful and wonderful act towards another. You can’t possibly say thank you to everything you’re given. No one can. So, when you do say thanks, it’s a token of your appreciation. It will make you happy. And in giving thanks for the people in your life, you open the door to receiving their thanks in return. In your home or company, a nice circle, a step toward a culture of gratitude. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7 (KJV) FEATURED CONTENT How Well Do You Stay In The Present? The way to live a full and rich life, to deepen our connections with others and to experience true intimacy is by staying in the present moment. Yet much of what we do and how we live takes us out of the present and ricochets us into some unknown future or drags us back into the mire of the past. Other times, we simply “space out,” disconnect from where we are, who we’re with, and what we’re doing. What does it mean to be in the present moment? Take the following quiz to discover how much, and in what ways you detach from the present moment or are truly present. T/F 1. I have a tendency to live in the future, projecting into tomorrow, or next week or even years from now. T/F 2. I spend much of my time thinking about the past, replaying conversations or reliving incidents or events, or I play “what if” in my mind. T/F 3. Sometimes when I’m in conversation with someone, I can’t remember what was just said. T/F 4. When eating a meal, my family often watches TV or videos or reads. T/F 5. In talking with someone, I think of how I’m going to respond rather than listening to what the other person is saying. T/F 6. I tend to worry. T/F 7. I try to figure out how things will work out or what someone else will do. T/F 8. I allow the telephone or pager to interrupt whatever I’m doing. T/F 9. I often/frequently hope for something better or different. T/F 10. I often/frequently dread something worse will happen. T/F 11. I find myself always busy, with never an empty or spare moment. T/F 12. When I am feeling uncomfortable in a situation, I change the subject or get up and move around, or get something to eat/drink/do. T/F 13. In some situations, I find myself getting sleepy or yawning when I’m not really tired. T/F 14. I find it difficult to maintain eye contact when I’m talking with someone. T/F 15. Sometimes I can’t remember what I just read or I don’t know what just took place in the movie or video I’m watching. T/F 16. When I’m with certain people, we talk about others (gossiping, discussing shortcomings or talking about their problems). T/F 17. I take my cell phone everywhere and it’s always on. T/F 18. My conversations with others tend to be about superficial subjects. T/F 19. Rather than staying with my emotions and naming them (“I am feeling…”), I attempt to alter the feelings. T/F 20. In my family or with my partner, we watch TV programs that we don’t really care about rather than interact with each other. Many of us may feel a push-pull when it comes to intimacy. We want to be closer to others, but the vulnerability that it demands is too frightening. Or we may feel restless or distracted or just plain uncomfortable when we attempt to stay in the present. If you have any questions or you’d like to talk about your response to this quiz, please don’t hesitate to call reach out to us 678-395-7922. Share Tweet Forward ANNOUNCEMENTS Something To Think About Upcoming Events DivorceCare for Adults led by Dr Rick and DivorceCare for Kids led by Charity Simpson MA M.Div NCC. Both are a 13-week program held at Fellowship Bible Church located at 480 Crossville Road, Roswell, Georgia 30075. Classes will be Sundays at 9:15 AM starting January 20, 2019. To register please contact Cindy Spitler at cindy.spitler@fellowshiproswell.org or call 770.641.5623 or 770.992.4956. Dr Rick will be speaking at Northpoint Community Church Circle of Friends (singles over 40 years and older) on January 20, 2019 at 7 PM. Boundaries; Do they really matter? 4350 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Contact Bob Conrad for further questions at bccmed@aol.com or 770-310-6250. Here are more services we provide: DUI treatment programs and Clinical Evaluations are state approved for court ordered treatment. Allow us to help you. We also do Interventions for those struggling to get help. Call today. Individual, Relationship, & Child Counseling Choices: Drug & Alcohol Court Ordered Group Meets weekly. We also work with your probation officer. DUI, possession charges, and other issues arising from substance abuse.Challenges Adolescent Group Meets weekly. Now forming for Spring 2019.Anger Management Classes Diversion Classes For Shop Lifting & Thief Prevention Drug Screening Also available on site and home kits Relapse Prevention & Early Intervention Program Substance Abuse Interventions for your loved ones Adolescent Female Group Now forming. Charity & Bethany are offering a 4-week intensive for adolescence. This is a focused group which will be held to a very limited number of teen girls. Give them a call about how to sign up your teen. Counseling for drug and alcohol issues. We treat both the addicted loved one as well as the battle weary family. We are here for you. Executive Coaching. Also available for the busy professional, who seems to never have time. THE COMPASS CONSULTING TEAM Our team of counselors have various licenses and degrees, so you will be sure to find the perfect match. Call 678-395-7922 today or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment or leave a message. Dr. Rick Petronella, PhD Dr. Rick offers a treatment program that addresses destructive behaviors such as alcohol abuse or anger management. If left untreated, these behaviors can lead to DUI’s, domestic violence, and multiple losses in one’s life. He is a also Certified Clinical Supervisor and a Master Addiction Counselor and holds a credentials in Advanced Clinical Addiction and Drug Counseling. You only live once; you deserve to live free of addiction and embrace fully all that your life has to offer.Having practiced as an individual, family and corporate consultant for over 30 years, Dr. Rick has also been involved with specializing in the areas of leadership development, executive coaching. He also works closely with individuals, couples and families helping to make life as fulfilling, meaningful, healthy and conflict free as one would desire. He is the president and founder of Compass Consulting and Affiliates, LLC. and Choices Treatment Program. Bethany Kinzel — MA, LPC, NCC Bethany is an LPC focused on individuals, couples, and adolescence. She utilizes proven, clinical and educational techniques to help her clients live a more productive, meaningful and fulfilled life. Her educational techniques include: cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems approaches, and mindfulness exercises. By practicing these techniques, the chains of repetitive, destructive behaviors will be broken, leading to a better quality of life. Charity L Simpson, MS, LAPC, NCC, MDiv Charity is a collaborative, relational-oriented counselor who seeks to support individuals within their current context. She integrates humanistic, existential, and systems theories with cognitive, behavioral, and solution-focused techniques. Charity seeks to work with clients to identify strengths, better utilize available resources, and work through challenges that pose obstacles to fulfilling life and relationships. In addition to traditional talk therapy, Charity integrates practices of mindfulness and creative approaches such as art, music, experiential, sand tray, and play therapies. Bob Roland Th.M. Bob is a compassionate and very seasoned pastoral counselor. Bob specializes in Couples, Families and Individual counseling. He also runs a successful program for pre-marital and pre-engagement couples. Give Bob a call; you will be glad you did. |