Category: News

April – No Monthly Challenge

Hi lovely relationship workers. It’s way into April and I have not been in touch, so sorry!

I do hope you and your loved ones are taking these unusual times with COVID 19 in your stride.

Here in Sydney at least the weather is beautiful and we can go for walks. I really miss going out to dinner, catching up with friends, the movies, and the beach.

In some ways the pace has slowed but in others the workload has increased for me – how about you guys?

There is no monthly challenge here from me at Marriage Works, as I believe these times are tough enough already.

All I hope is you offer your kind self both to yourself and others. Please reach out if you are on your lonesome.

Be gentle with each other, limit the analysis of stuck patterns for a while.

Go easy.

It’s super easy for stress and close proximity to make us tetchy. I know when I am tired I can be cranky, ask Chris!

The good thing though if I snap, he mostly won’t go there and vice versa. But it does happen.

Only watch the Tiger King - don't become one !
Only watch the Tiger King on Netflix- don’t become one !

We are a bit like the caged Tigers in Tiger King.

My daughter sent me an Instagram add on where your picture can have the Joe Exotic features – blonde mullet, handlebar moustache and camouflage clothing. Hilarious and no I am not putting that pic of me up!

Yep, Netflix and Prime have been things that keep the pressure low.

What’s your favourite shows or movies? Love your recommendations.

Hang out with your partner and rediscover yourselves

Yesterday at the park we were watching children scooting around on their trikes. I learnt my husband Chris did not have a bicycle as a child. He did have a skate board – home made with metal wheels! How beautiful to share.

So go well, be kind and keep your immune system strong. Use this time to get to know your partner again in a slowed down world.

Please share your positive experiences in the comments box belong or Netflix recommends! With love and light xox

We are open & We will be OK

These are certainly unsettling times with this outbreak of Covid 19.

Remember it is a flu – most of us have had at some stage in our life, pretty yuk for sure but we recovered.

It’s vital as couple we turn towards each other. Your mate will have their unique point of view. It may not be yours.

This is the time to give ourselves a bit of a free pass on stress.

Be gentle, come together and the world can heal.

Help your spouse, your friends, family and community. This shifts our self focus.

As Brene Brown said we need not contract with social distancing and self isolation.

Community support in times of isolation is healing
Community support in times of isolation is healing

Connection to others is the antidote.

If we can’t visit, we can pick up the phone, download an app, reach out.

Get in touch, tell someone you care, they need you.

I an on a local connection App. So touching to see people offering a helping hand to neighbours like running errands, dropping groceries for those in need.

Just as we saw when Australia was a bushfire inferno. Support, kindness and love abound.

Please let’s keep this spirit.

At Marriage Works we are open. Being a home office, there’s no large crowds and therefore less risk.

However we are happy to offer you the option of Telehealth, phone, or Online therapy. Easy for couples we can guide you how to set this up.

The Aljazeera news headline is heartening:

“In China, life returning to normal as coronavirus outbreak slows.”

Allow this to give you hope. We are likely to see a similar pattern of recovery.

We will be OK.

With love and light Philipa xox

#WewillbeOK
#WewillbeOK

Marriage Works COVID-19 Precautions

The safety and security of you, our clients is, and will always be, our highest priority.

You can be assured we are doing everything possible to ensure your safety.

We will be ok!

As we are currently being instructed to limit contact, I am offering clients the option of conducting our sessions online for those who prefer. Contact me below to arrange.

We feel this is the most respectful, responsible and sensible thing to do.

We encourage you stay home and self-isolate if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms or have traveled overseas in the last 14 days.

Marriage Works and Psych Solutions are actively following the NSW Government, Health Services and WHO guidelines and recommendations.

Go here for the latest official health guidelines for corona

Here are the latest updates from the Australia Department of Health in line with WHO : https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

It’s important to be alert but not alarmed. Health anxiety and fear can be debilitating.

There are things you can do :

  • Do what you always do to stay healthy. 
  • Wash your hands often and long – sing happy birthday three times to yourself
  • Keep surfaces clean
  • Stay away from crowds when you can.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods to boost your immune system
  • Get fresh air and exercise regularly
  • Follow advice from official channels
  • Limit your media input – Facebook, emails, online, and television news
  • Use this as an opportunity to reset, revitalize and have quality family time
you can protect yourself by washing your hands regularly
you can protect yourself by washing your hands regularly

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us and we can arrange your online support.

Call me Philipa 0434 559 011 or email me to set up your session Email philipathornton@gmail.com

#WewillbeOK

Hello February Marriage Works Monthly Fun Challenge

Hi beautiful Marriage Workers and by that I mean all of us in committed partnerships. Welcome to the second month of the year.

As we are starting to get back into the day to day runnings, I wondered if we might just keep a hold of the holiday spirit and keep the fun running. It’s good to keep the fun running!

Now this is the ultimate couple fun sky diving !
Now this is the ultimate couple fun sky diving !

We crave novelty as a species and no more so than in relationships, that’s where affairs can happen. So what can you do to prevent doldrums?

Beautiful fish at Sealife

Mix it up, break out of patterns by exploring your surrounds, learning something new or giving free reign to that desire you’ve held inside. Maybe you sky dive, perhaps you guys take a surf lesson. I did see an archery course on Groupon at Bondi, I think look like a fun time.

Sydney Aquarium date for February
Boy fish are hard to photograph. Always moving!

February Fun Challenge get out of your relationship rut by mixing up your routine. Captivate your mate by making a suggestion to do something out of your usual rounds. It can be as easy as a drive, a walk in a new park or beach. Or be a tourist in your city or town. We loved the Sydney aquarium. Love to hear your adventures please drop us a comment and share :))

Here’s my video

https://youtu.be/sJKjxJBAotw

Marriage Workers having fun

Bye for now, yours in gratitude

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?

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.

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 !

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

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