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The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting
Your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
For love, for your dream,
For the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
If you have been opened by life’s betrayals,
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain,
Mine or your own,
Without moving
To hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,
Mine or your own,
If you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
Without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself,
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithless and therefore be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty
Even when it is not pretty every day,
And if you can source your own life
From its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure,
Yours and mine,
And still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
Weary and bruised to the bone,
And do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you are, how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
In the center of the fire with me
And not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
From the inside
When all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
With yourself,
And if you truly like the company you keep
In the empty moments.

By Oriah Mountain Dreamer

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Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us;
It’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

By Marianne Williamson

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Relationship Counselling

There are a few misconceptions about relationship counselling. Some couples believe that you should only seek help when separation or divorce may be likely. But that can often be to little, too late. You may want to consider relationship counselling as soon as the problems get in the way of your daily life. Here are some signs that you might benefit from a consultation:

  • You have trouble expressing your feelings to one another
  • You have one or more unsolvable disagreements
  • There is withdrawal, criticism, or contempt in your interactions
  • A stressful event has shaken your daily life
  • You have trouble making decisions together
  • You have experienced infidelity, addiction, or abuse
  • You want a stronger relationship

Remember that there are no wrong reasons to seek relationship counselling. Some couples start therapy as soon as they are married, even without obvious problems, to build a strong foundation and prevent serious problems from developing. Counselling can help you become better communicators, develop strong relationship skills, and improve your family’s happiness. 

Some couple wait six years before seeking therapy. This is a lot of time to let problems fester; at this point, troubled relationships are difficult to save. Instead, it’s best to acknowledge problems early and seek therapy as soon as possible.

Problems with relationships are not limited to romantic ones, even though that’s the most popular reason people consult for relationship therapy.

In the last few years online therapy has become increasingly popular for a number of reasons. Some individuals who suffer from social anxiety find it more effective to hold therapy online. For some couples who are separated or are working away find it difficult to find a suitable date and time to meet for therapy in person. Group video calls are very effective and are often held over Skype or WhatsApp.

Online counselling is cheaper and saves time. You don’t have to worry about the children being in bed, or if you have a cold and feel under the weather. Many therapists can offer more flexible appointments when working online.

Why not take advantage of a free consultation where you can ask your questions and to see if online therapy would work for you.