New Beginnings

The end of a year can bring with it a mixture of feelings. For some, it may be great relief. After a year of pain and hardship they look forward with anticipation to a more positive year with some ‘lucky breaks’. For some, perhaps the thought of going through another year of ‘more of the same’ creates a sense of despair and hopelessness. For others, a new year is as an opportunity to make a fresh start and improve their health and relationships.

New Year’s Resolutions often motivate people to attain their goals. But so often, well meaning people who really want to make positive changes give up when the going gets tough and soon fall back into their old ways. The New Year can bring with it the hope of new beginnings. You may need a fresh start in your life. Perhaps you’re unhappy in your job but can’t see a way out. Is your marriage at breaking point and all you can think of is leaving? You’ve promised yourself many times that you will lose weight and keep it off but to no avail.

Make 2013 a year of new beginnings. Let go of what lies behind and press forward to what lies ahead.

If you need to support in making some positive changes in your life, please contact 9639 3875; or online at http://appointment.counselcc.net.au. No referral necessary and cost between $10 - $70 depending on your employment situation. There’s no better time to take ACTION toward a better you! 

article written by Marina Dyson, Counsellor 

Climbing Your Tree

Most of us have experienced our happiest and most meaningful times with our family. However, many have also experienced their angriest, saddest, and sometime most hurtful times with them too. We have all thought about our own family of origin and wondered how they have affected us.

Perhaps you have a parent or grandparent whom you admire greatly and seek to emulate. Perhaps some of your family traits are so embarrassing that you choose to eliminate them from your own life!

When you are dating or in a serious relationship with someone, it doesn’t usually take very long before you become aware of their family-of-origin “baggage”. Things are just a lot easier when family members are respectful and accepting, but that is not always the case. Some relationships are in crisis due to a person’s family history/issues or just very difficult relatives. When one marries, they are not only marrying the person, but also the person’s family!

If you ever wondered if behavioural, cognitive or emotional patterns in your family are contributing factors to your distress, come in and have a chat with one of our counsellors. You might discover more about yourself and your family of origin, and discover a little more about who you have become today. You might even find strength when you identify positive family patterns and discover a legacy you are a part of.

Article by Lainey Weiss, General Counsellor

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Counsel@CrossCulture is open to everyone, 9.00 am - 1.00 pm weekdays ( phone: 9639 3875; email: counsel@crossculture.net.au). Appointments may also be made online at: http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

General Counselling: $10—$70 max an hour (sliding scale) — No Referral Required.

Find out more about Prayer Ministry at Counsel@CrossCulture