Progress Step by Step — JPM LIFE INNOVATIONS

Addictions can take quite a long time to finally be free with a new life. It is a process and a journey to get there, as described below:

1

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in.

I am lost …… I am helpless. It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out 

2

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again. I can’t believe I’m in the same place.

But it isn’t my fault and it still takes a long time to get out 

3

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there.

I still fall in ……   It’s habit. It is my choice.

I get out immediately 

4

I walk down the same street

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk and I walk around it.

5

I walk down another street!!

Hope out of Pain

Harrowing but Hopeful

 "The plow has savaged this sweet field, misshapen clods of earth picked up, rocks & twisted roots exposed to view, last years growth demolished by the blade. I have plowed my life this way, turned over a whole history looking for the roots of what went wrong, until my face is ravaged, furrowed, scarred.

Enough! The job is done.

 Whatever's been uprooted, let it be Seedbed for the growing that's to come. I plowed to unearth last year’s reasons - the Farmer plows to plant a greening season"

Getting it right

Getting it right in counselling depends on a number of variables. It really is an art! It depends on the quality of relationship between counsellor and client but also on the counsellor’s knowledge; what the client already knows; the determination of the client to find resolutions to the issues faced; unknown factors outside the control of both, God and chance events. Outcomes are not guaranteed but in my experience there is a very good chance that if committed to the process and to overcoming the challenges of this “road less travelled”, I have seen the result to have been significant and long lasting. That’s why I keep doing the counselling!

Avoid Burn-Out

Just recently, I came across this good advice: If you are working very hard, then you should take great care not to burn-out. Those in helping professions or positions that have significant inter personal contact are more susceptible e.g. customer service departments, health care etc.  You can avoid mental burn-out by ensuring that what you do remains fun: there is a limit to your mental energy that you should respect.  One of the first things that you should do is decrease the pressure on your self by slowing down your sense of time. Try out the following:

1. Do not work in front of the clock: When you have a clock staring at you or over you shoulder, your perception of time is that it goes by quickly. Hide the clock and work at your own pace. You will accomplish more in less time than if you monitor yourself. Of course, you still have to keep loose track of the time, ’cause have it from the horse’s mouth, your wife won’t like it if she has to wait for an hour with the entire week’s grocery at the shopping arcade.

2. Do not set unrealistic time frames: When you foresee a particular assignment to be an hour long it might take up to two. Examine the contingencies and allow enough time. After estimating the time it will take to do something, multiply that by 1.5 and you will have a more realistic time frame.

3. Avoid working under deadline pressure: Any time you face a deadline, time will seem to run faster. In some cases you can’t do anything about it but try to arrange time so that you don’t face the torment of deadlines as often and you will gain a greater sense of control over your time.