One Transformational Word

If you are like me, you are already looking for the next new thing to try out for the coming year. Perhaps you are already compiling a list of new year resolutions or you are setting goals and making plans for the brand new year approaching. Or maybe it's that you are contemplating your prayer points for the new year. That is all well and good. I want to share with you something I just read about that I am already very excited about trying out for the new year. It's the principle of one word that could possibly transform my life in the coming year.

Before I go on, let me make clear that I am not against new year resolutions, plans and goals and prayer points and all that, I think they are all terrific and they do work for some people. I myself believe very much in starting the year off right with prayers and contemplating what's up ahead in the next year. As a matter of fact, as I ventured into the year 2015 which is about to close-up, I said a simple prayer asking for God's best for me in the year 2015 and my oh my, did God pour out his best or what? HE surely did, hence my excitement for the coming year. I am excited because I know God's got me and I am also excited about this new discovery that I stumbled upon.

It's all about one word. As you probably know, statistics have shown that half of those who make new year resolutions give up by the end of January and by the end of march that number increases to 90%. Same thing with setting goals, many people who set goals end up feeling frustrated from trying to do too much and not doing anything well at all.

However, with a one word theme for the year, things could be different. The proponents of the one word theme for the year state that focusing on just one word for the year gives more clarity, passion and purpose for life. I believe that our quest as human beings is something that will give us clarity, passion and purpose. They propose that focusing on just one word for the year cuts through distraction and keeps us focused on what really matters. They propose that one word has the power to transform all dimensions of your life - physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, relational, financial. All you have to do is look in, look up, and look out.

So, I have committed to trying out this one word theme for the coming year 2016. I have even chosen my word and it is JOY! My word for the year 2016 is JOY! In my commitment to this word and to see how I can let this word be my guiding principle in the year 2016, I looked up the meaning of joy as well as different quotes about joy and I must say I am glad I chose this word. I discovered a number of quotes that will make living by this word a very definite, life transforming experience for me in the coming year. Some of the quotes I found include but are not limited to:

"Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you are going to respond to life" ~Wess Stafford~ “Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.” ~Mohandas Ghandi~ “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.” ~Helen Keller~ "Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." ~Mother Theresa~ "The healthiest response to life is Joy" ~Deepak Chopra~

Imagine responding to life each day with joy. Imagine the possibilities and the adventures that await. So, today, I choose joy and I encourage you to find your word. Let that word guide you, let it transform you even as you live it out. And from my heart to yours, I hope you find a word that works for you and I wish you all the very best of 2016!
Much Love & Blessings.

For help picking your word or with anything else, please email: restored@quietwaterscp.com or call: (613) 884-4489. For more information about the one-word theme for the new year, visit getoneword.com

Lola Sholagbade Quiet Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy

Meet Your Therapist

Lola Sholagbade received her M.A. in Counseling & Spirituality from the University of Ottawa/ Saint Paul University, Ottawa. She is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario for practice in the area of psychotherapy with adults and couples.
She has several years of experience in the treatment of individuals with a wide range of psychological issues, including: depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal related problems, loss and grief. She has a special interest in eating disorders, self-esteem/body image issues as well as approaches to post-traumatic stress disorder. Her attitude towards her clients is characterized by respect and acceptance and she perceives the therapeutic relationship as a mutual and cooperative process.
Ms. Sholagbade values diversity and uses her intercultural competencies to provide a safe and appreciative therapeutic environment. Her primary approach to therapy involves cognitive-behavioural therapy, rational-emotive behaviour therapy as well as object relations therapy.

Lola Sholagbade
Psychotherapist, M.A, R.P, C.C.C.

Contact

1What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a way to overcome problematic thoughts or behaviours. It addresses personal and interpersonal difficulties and enables an individual, family or couple talk openly and confidentially about their concerns, feelings, thoughts and behaviour with a trained professional.
2Is the service really confidential?
Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is completely confidential with the following exceptions by law:
  • Where you disclose that you are going to kill yourself
  • Where you disclose that you are going to kill/hurt someone else
  • Where you disclose that there are children under the age of 16 being abused
  • Where you disclose that a regulated health care professional is being abusive towards you
  • Where you are involved in a court case and your notes are subpoenaed
3Are the services covered by my health insurance provider?
Psychotherapy by Registered Psychotherapists are increasingly being covered by health insurance providers, however, if “psychotherapy” is not covered, “psychological services” can be covered as the practice is supervised by a Registered Psychologist, Dr. Augustine Meier. Please check with your particular provider and plan for coverage details.
4What is the cost and what methods of payment are acceptable?
Sessions are $135/session. Credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express), Cheques, E-Transfers and Cash are all acceptable forms of payment. Session fees are for 60 minutes = 50 minute session time plus 10 minutes for preparation and documentation of your care. The initial consultation appointment is 90-120 minutes in length to allow for a proper assessment and discussion of your needs.
5Is there telephone and online video counselling?
While face-to-face meeting is best, sometimes circumstances and situations can hinder that. In such situations, therapy can be conducted through Skype, FaceTime or over the phone.