Boy where did July go? It’s hard to believe there’s just one more month left in summer. Being that we’re more than half way through 2010, it’s a great time to reflect. Have you thought about your New Year’s resolutions and life goals lately? I have. In fact, it’s all I have been thinking about recently. I’ve been wrestling with the battle between accepting the present while working on improving myself for the future. What stirred up this sudden focus on self-reflection?

I’m enrolled in an online writing course and something the instructor said really hit home. She said that our unconscious drives our behavior and this includes how we treat others, ourselves and even how we write. In fact, if we are not aware of it, it can sabotage our life. That’s kind of where our top five posts comes in and why I’m so grateful to have read them. When we have a deep seated belief that we’ll never make it for example, or the world is a scary place, we could lose hope. Or we worry ourselves sick as a way to gain a false sense of control over the unknown. In the end, however, worrying can’t protect us from rejection or harm.

What can we do? We can instill hope when all seems lost or use our shadow side to foster creativity. Even if you haven’t attained anything on your Resolutions list (who has really?) or accomplished all of your goals, there are still lots to celebrate and much to gain in this last summer month. Go ahead and read our top posts of the week and see if you don’t feel more hopeful after.

Finding Hope: “The Instillation of Hope in Therapy and in Life”

(The Therapist Within) – What’s a four letter word that could change lives? It’s hope and it’s a lot more powerful than you think. Read how hope is not just something to be taken lightly. In fact, it could be said to be a foundation for therapy.

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