Author: Philipa Thornton

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 !

How not to turn people off.

Warren Buffet – is esteemed in the US and beyond. He’s made a motza on the share market and in business through canny deals. Yet he’s still living in a modest house with his wife of many years. Mr Buffet has earned wisdom and gravitas in his 80 odd years on the planet and in the Share Market.

On an interview Tom Popomarinos ( a big deal in commerce and industry in Baltimore) wrote in CNBC.com “Warren Buffet…This is what ‘sets apart a big winner from the rest of the pack.’ And I want share here those insights.

Wisdom though earned experience elephant-2992767_1920
Wisdom though earned experience

Tom’s summary :

“The big takeaway here is that if you want to be the person who is successful, who everyone wants to hire, you need to build habits of integrity.

There are a handful of ways to do that:

  • Fulfill your promises
  • Be honest
  • Be trustworthy
  • Give credit where credit is due
  • Be mindful and emotionally intuitive
  • Manifest humility
  • Be willing to admit you’re wrong
  • Offer help when it’s needed
  • Treat others with respect
  • Be charitable
  • Be patient

Intelligence and ambition are valuable traits, but even so, a lack of integrity won’t make you stand apart from the others — nor will it get you hired, at least not by Buffett.”

The above traits will make you a decent partner.

What turns people off

When you don’t keep your word. Make promises and fail to follow up. You give excuses or justifications for why. Yes, buts.. are a classic sign.

Live with integrity be good the whole way through
Live with integrity be good the whole way through

You act for yourself. You are inconsistent and unreliable. You talk big and act small. You are mean spirited unkind. Criticism. Anger. Attack the person, not the problem. Brag. You get the picture here.

I thought Warren’s advice applies equally to relationships. Wisdom trumps.

Play with love!
Wisdom though earned experience elephant-2992767_1920 tic-tac-toe-1777859_1920

What the Habits of Relationship Winner with Integrity Looks like:

  • Follow Through
  • Live in Truth
  • Show Appreciation to your Mate
  • Be humble
  • Stay Grounded
  • Show Emotional Maturity
  • Be accountable
  • Take Ownership of your part
  • Slow down
  • Live Respectfully
  • Have Faith and Charity
  • Be Helpful

I imagine you would be a ‘winner’ in the partnership stakes and in high demand. Your team – your spouse, your children would be seeing you as a leader and a valuable asset to turn to.

Image by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay Togetherness
Togetherness Image by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay

Challenge: Choose one on the list you’d like to improve and build upon. Do your best! Here I am on Marriage Works You Tube thansk!

Please let us know your thoughts, reactions in the comment box below. I will personally respond. Thank you !

Happy Bastille Day to our French Friends!

Bonjour et bien venue. Today Chris and I went to the Sydney suburb of La Perouse. La Perouse was a famous French explorer who landed in this area of Australia. there were celebrations and the tricolour flew in the icy winds.

The refrain Egalite, Liberte et Fraternite may be useful in our relationships.

What would our partnership be with equity, freedom and loving. Pretty yummy. Lucky I bought Chris an almond croissant. I know he loves them. I hope you had a happy day. xx