My life has been full of all kinds of experiences. I feel joy every day. I pursue activities that enrich my life. I work to live in a balanced way. It takes effort to balance my partnership with my loving husband, my spiritual life, my physical health, my work life and my pursuit of other passions.
Through workshops and other guidance, I have learned how to set and achieve goals. I can manage my time and to be accountable for my own choices. I choose to make a life filled with possibilities and not regrets.
I exercise every day and eat consciously. I am fortunate to say that I have not had any major illnesses. My body and spirit continue to age. I assume that at some point I will have to deal with some sort of consequence for getting old.
Another consequence of getting older is to experience the hardships of life. I have certainly done that.
In my most intimate relationships I have dealt with suicide, drug abuse, mental abuse, tragic death, and cancer. I sought out great counsellors who have helped me to deal with these things. I also have a wonderful circle of family and friends who are supportive and have lent me help and shoulders to weep on and hugs to grow strong from, as needed. I have learned to recognize what I need and ask for help when I need it.
I have supported family members as they struggle with mental health, many illnesses including cancer, and death.
I have lent support to friends who suffer from depression, sexual abuse, many illnesses, fatigue, broken marriages, and dreams. I have held the hands of friends as they passed from this world.
Most recently my husband and I have elderly parents who need support as they negotiate dementia, chronic pain, heart failure, mobility issues and all else that goes with living to grand old age (s) of over
90. We have been seeking out sources of information to help us give the kind of support needed.
This is just a snapshot of my life and some of the experiences I have had. They are the touch stones that have led me to change the trajectory of my career, from teaching to counselling.
As I have been exploring the reasons, I realize that I have counselled my whole life. People have confided in me since I was very young. I am a counsellor, the same way as and am a teacher, it is inherent.
I did need to become better equipped to help people deal with the pressures of this life. I chose Rhodes
Wellness College to equip me for this new path.
I look back at my young self who handed out,” you should do and this and that’s”. So certain of my wisdom. Not realizing I had very little of that. I did listen with an open and loving heart, but as for advice that I handed out. I sheepishly reflect on how ill equipped I was to advise anyone about anything. There is so much I have experienced, and yet so much that I don’t know. I have certainly lived enough life to have some understanding of what others could be experiencing.
But now I am wise enough to realize that each journey is unique. For the most part, I believe that people already know the answers to their own dilemmas. I want to be able to help them discover these answers.
My intent is to create a safe place for people to explore their journey.
Am I the counsellor for you?
Let’s have a conversation and you can decide whether I am.
Reach out to me at:
Info@nancythomsoncounselling.ca
