We may be in the present but we live with the past. We have memories, stories of times that were. And our memories are very specific because our perception of events differs from that of others. The way we remember events and people is personal. Often it is linked with the way we coped with … Continue reading Now And Zen
No Bluff In Enough
Our need to belong, to feel part of something greater than ourselves, is never more clearly demonstrated than in our desperation to categorise. We all feel the pressure to fit into pre-defined boxes; to comply; to compromise; to conform. There are basic societal expectations. Rules have been put in place to protect us from ourselves. … Continue reading No Bluff In Enough
A Monumental Moment
There are at least two difficulties when it comes to the issue of planning. One is necessity and the second is the very real possibility of ultimate futility. The problem we face is that it's not possible to have one without the other. We are all aware of the fact that failing to plan is … Continue reading A Monumental Moment
To Thine Own Self
We are under constant pressure to put our faith and our trust in the people and products that surround us. We are required to allow decisions that will impact our life and wellbeing to be made on our behalf...by someone or something other than ourselves. We hand over responsibility - all too often without choice … Continue reading To Thine Own Self
The Pall Of Recall
Memories can be cruel or comforting. They can be accepted or rejected. They can be altered or modified. One thing they cannot be is denied. Our memory is a record of the fortunate and unfortunate aspects of a life already lived. The past was a reality and that which was real remains real and is … Continue reading The Pall Of Recall
Seeing And Deceiving
The frustration of hearing and understanding instruction is on a different level to the angst that can be generated by the effort put into accepting and following instruction. The difficulty is that there can be both truth and lies in instruction. One person's truth is another person's misdirection. Quite often that misdirection can be both … Continue reading Seeing And Deceiving
Testing The Truth
Ignoring the truth is no way to disempower the truth. What is real and true will remain real and true despite the very best efforts of some to make it appear less than it is. When every effort to reframe it is dead and gone, truth will survive. We all have our ways of twisting … Continue reading Testing The Truth
The Challenge Of Choice
We are given many opportunities to challenge ourselves...our beliefs, our behaviours, our thinking and our perceptions. It's only by accepting those challenges that can hope to gain the information we need to make the changes necessary for our growth and development. The trap is that acceptance is not mandatory. We all have a choice. We … Continue reading The Challenge Of Choice
Halt Harm And Heal
When facing a crisis we often have the awkward and unsettling tendency to first consider the worst possible outcome. The bad takes precedence over the good...the dark over the light. In short, we abandon logic. Correct reasoning gets thrown to the wind. Fear leads to panic, panic to confusion and confusion to error. There is … Continue reading Halt Harm And Heal
See Self Seesaw
Self-care can sometimes feel self-indulgent. Responsibilities can overwhelm. We can lose sight of the fact that we need time to restock, restore and recharge. So much to do and so little time. All too often we can push ourselves to the point of emotional exhaustion. So focused are we on the wants and needs of … Continue reading See Self Seesaw
Gary Bentley Counselling 