Author: Philipa Thornton

Happy New Year! Let 2020 be your best yet xox

Hi there, I hope you had a nice easing in for this decade. For us it was a quiet get together welcoming the Sydney New Year, with beautiful friends. Although a distance from the city we get glimpses of the fireworks on the harbour. Plus the ABC coverage on TV was impressive.

Impressive Sydney New Years Eve Harbour Bridge Fireworks
Impressive Sydney New Years Eve Harbour Bridge Fireworks

I am not really a fan of resolutions – it seems to set my rebellious part off and against me – – perhaps you can identify?

Or I start off well, going along for a bit in virtuosity only to collapse and rebound back into the unwanted pattern! Crap.

I like the idea of setting your intention/s – looking for want you want to have happen in the coming year. Remember the mind loves a guide, so make it positive. Be free spirited here, let loose your fun parts!

Set your intentions for 2020. Write down your wishlist.
Make some time for you to inspire yourself.

In line with this intention I write a wish list. In my 2020 diary I use one of those pages and head it up with 2020 Wishlist. I write all my hopes and dreams and make it big. Abandon all logic and let your mind free your creativity. I do this annually and it’s amazing what evolves. Love to hear your adventures.

A friend of mine likes to have a word for the year to contemplate. I usually need more than one. We had fortune cookies for NYE mine said ” You have all the wisdom of the ages at your command.” Super cool. So my words are inspired by this – Wisdom, Command and Faith.

Faith gives me hope and connects me to my brand of spirituality. I am part of a bigger universe. It’s not a religious aspect, more an awe of the divine in all of us. In my heart I believe all will be well. I have faith all will turn out for the best and people are ultimately kind. Rather like a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Can you relate?

Ebenezar Scrooge is visited by Marley his business partner weighted down with the chains forged in his lifetime.
Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by Marley his ghostly business partner, weighted down with the chains forged in his life. Charles Dicken’s story still tells the tale.

Wisdom is a wonderful word, it’s about that lived experience we all have had being on this planet. The learnings, the leavings, the lovings, and the leanings we edge toward. You will have your own special knowledge and well won wisenesses.

Command was a little challenging for me to put out there, the judgy part of me said it’s controlling. Reframe needed here. Command can encourage me into being a personal leader. Being the boss of me and what I choose and how I behave and respond. Engaging in my a personal power for good.

Marriage Works wishes you a happy new year, heralding in the 2020 decade.
Marriage Works wishes you a happy new year, heralding in the 2020 decade.

So what are your your intentions? Your word or words for 2020 the beginning of this next decade? Please share and write them out in the comments box below.

With love and gratitude, Philipa and Chris from Marriage Works down under!

Happy December! Monthly Challenge -You Year Review.

Welcome to the month of December. I am a bit late guys sorry. I’ve been under the weather, doing renovations and the Christmas counselling rush which started in November is on.

Christmas time is family time.

December is the month which ushers us into the new year. Loving the ring of 2020, a new decade. This month is an ending of our 12. A good time to do a review.

Looking back in the mirror, how did you do?

  • What goals did you make?
  • What did you start?
  • What did you finish?
  • How is your health?
  • How is your relationship tracking?
  • What are your most proud of?
  • What are you least proud of?
  • How can you use the above to inspire yourself and take action/
Useful to reflect on things

This years goals for me were pretty huge. Chris and I bought an apartment. I started renovations and my goodness I hope they finish soon.

What keeps you on your perch?
What keeps you on your perch?

Health wise walking and dancing are a great thing. I am working on using mother natures guide bypassing intellect and using instinct to eat what my body tells me. Living food like carrots as opposed to chips.

My marriage has had trials with the property search that started in May. This and financial togetherness, organising a project brings out the best parts and occasionally cranky parts.

The loss of Taneisha has brought us closer. Watch this space as Yoda arrives for xmas.

Least proud of yelling at Chris, when I was tired and overwrought.

Useful to reflect on things Not me, but a cranky part is in the house

Proud of managing so many things. Buying and selling properties all in the last six weeks. It’s been a blitz.

Running Resource Therapy workshops and building them for next year in Bali in July. Overseas training is a huge undertaking.

Love to hear your lists and thoughts. So make this monthly challenge a review from the above. Remember it is more powerful putting pen to paper.

Please drop a line in the comments box and let us know xx Thanks for reading.

Yours in gratitude Philipa

What's decorating your life as you review the year?
What’s decorating your life as you review the year?

Thanks Giving ! Happy November MonthlyChallenge.

We want treats not tricks! Halloween is fun bring back playfulness in your relationships

Apologies a day late! The other night was Halloween, Chris and I saw lots of cherubs dressed up as monsters with bags for trick or treating. I think it’s fun. We are influenced by other cultures and it’s nice to adopt some of the playfulness of other countries. So this month I turn to America for the tradition of Thanks Giving.
This day is November 25th. Years ago I spent Thanks Giving at an American friends place with their family. We had a lovely meal and each went around the table saying what we were thankful for. It felt so good, deep heartwarming joy! Sorry to my my US readers, not a fan of pumpkin pie.

A smile sends thanks so well.


As we know what we focus on we get more of – the psychological law of attraction, the theory of ironic process from the research of Daniel Wegner for those who like the academic information – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8121959.

For me, I truly want more of the positive in my life and for my loved ones. Sharing thankfulness and acknowledgement multiplies joy. As super guru Oprah Winfrey and other successful people attest gratitude is powerful.

He brings a smile with his joy at being in the world
He brings a smile with his joy at being in the world

So this month I invite you to share your appreciation, acknowledge your gratitude and express thanks to your spouse, your friends, even a stranger in word and deed. Take action and make November your month of Thanks. Love to hear how you went and what you experienced sharing your gratitude around.

Thank you for watching Marriage Works YouTube and reading my blog. with love and appreciation Philipa Thornton
Marriage Works on YouTube

Thanks for watching, please share on social media, email to others who may benefit from this information.
Yours in Gratitude Phillipa
With all the information you need know

Couples Retreat November – Save your marriage with a weekend in Sydney!

Hurry the early bird for the Imago Couples retreat ends on the 16th October. This Wednesday. The workshop in Crows Nest runs 16/17 November.

Get your love bug back Sydney couples retreat
Get your love bug back Sydney couples retreat

I will be there helping out, so love to meet you!

Couples Workshops: Dates, Fees & Registration
Do your partnership a favour and attend getting the love you want workshop
Do your partnership a favour and attend getting the love you want workshop Sydney Early bird Ends soon.

Bali 2020

Hi all a quick note to let those of you who are therapists and mental health professionals we have some exciting training coming up next year.

Find our more here https://resourcetherapy.com.au/bali-2020-tropical-paradise-tax-break-professional-development/

A beautiful Bali smile from our first trip there and here's to winter 2020.
A beautiful Bali smile from our first trip there.

October – Healing Hurt & the Last Resort

Last updated on October 2nd, 2019 at 08:09 pm

Welcome to October ! I have just popped up my latest video for the month you can watch it here:

Thanks for watching and here are the links mentioned.

Affair help https://marriageworks.com.au/relationship-advice-for-couple-counselling/affairs-and-trust-rebuilding-in-your-relationship/

The Last Resort when your spouse is about to walk out on you :https://marriageworks.com.au/relationship-advice-for-couple-counselling/the-last-resort-technique-marriage-saving/

September Springs Forth!

Hi every one a brief note to welcome you to the month of September. And our friendly challenge here at Marriage Works for your relationship entrancement.

In Sydney is in a change of season. Buds emerge to the warmer rain, green shoots appear on our trees. The hibernation is over, it is time to bloom.

As spring is all about rejuvenation and replenishing I am asking you how you can take this attitude out into your world and beyond.

Spring is in the air take up the montlhy challenge at marriageworks to refresh your relationships spring-ladybirds

How can you refresh your relationships? Be it at home, with your lover, your friends, family, work colleagues. Even the grocery store clerk.

Smile and shine. Here is my Marriage Works YouTube Channel monthly encouragement. Thanks for reading and watching! Blessings to you all. Vivaldi playing in the background for the sounds of spring if you have it xx

INFIDELITY DILEMMAS

A television producer called me today to seek my expertise in affairs. Helping couples through their pain, overwhelm and betrayal.

There are may questions we have and these need to be addressed. I have a little video on Youtube

Love to hear what your ideas are. Perhaps you have been through the trenches with your spouse and come out the other side. You can be a beacon of hope. Please feel free to add your thoughts below in the comment box. Thanks Philipa

Shine Brightly for August!

Hello all, I have just popped up the Youtube monthly challenge where I have hoping to inspire your brilliance.

Shine your bright light of love as a beacon to others and to yourself. Like attracts like. Notice what happens as a result.

let your star shoot forth !purple-690724_1920
let your star shoot forth

So the monthly challenge is to put yourself in the spotlight and illuminate the world.

I want to share with you the cutest story. Oliver Jeffers Heart in the Bottle makes me cry. So beautiful. Here it is:

Getting the Love You Want – Couples Workshop

I have just spent the last 3 days with my husband Chris attending a Character growth Imago workshop. This was with Advanced Imago Therapist Brenda Rawlings of The Imago Institute of New Zealand See here https://www.relationships.co.nz/about-us/

Now we are in luck Sydney folk!

The Couples Retreat – a 2 day weekend is here! Brenda and husband Peter are offering the Getting the Love You Want Couples workshop. Up the road in lovely Crows Nest.

Here is the link to https://www.relationships.co.nz/couples-workshop-dates-fees/ to secure your spot.

We can definitely recommend this workshop. Indeed it saved us from the brink. Please do yourself a favour and get the love you want. Your partnership is worth putting in a 2 days effort !