Happy New Year. Just One Thing.

Dr. Gold, Ph.D, LMHC, Licensed and Board Certified Clinical MentalHealth Counselor, with a Ph.D in psychology, is in private practice at her home office in Fort Salonga, specializing in relationships and integrating traditional methods with holistic ones. She works with all type problems. She is a Life Coach, Workshop Leader, Lecturer, and published Author. Please contact her at
drgold6@optimum.net.

Dear Friends:

Well, it’s the end of the year, and what do we think of most?  New Year’s Resolutions, of course. So, let’s tell the truth here. How many resolutions did you make at the end of last year? Five? Ten? Twenty?

Here’s the key question: 
How many did you KEEP?

You might be having a wave of shame at this point, but I don’t want you to. It is a given that if you made too many resolutions, you did not keep them all. It was too much. You could not. Nobody could have done all that.

I’ll tell you the truth about myself now. I kept all of mine. My secret? I only made one resolution last year; caring for myself and my health. That is no easy feat for a health care provider who is accustomed to putting everyone else first. But I did it because I knew I had to.

That will be my #1 resolution for 2019. For me, this will mean continuing with regular doctor check-ups (I did not do that before), continuing my vegetarian lifestyle and giving up dairy to become vegan. 
Finally, I hope to get enough rest and recreation.

Now I did say #1 because here’s what I suggest. 

Make your number one resolution, put it at the top of your list and put a star next to it. This is the one you are absolutely committed to keep. After that, add other goals you might keep. If you decide to keep any of those as well, great! But if you do not, that’s fine. However, you must remain committed only to number one. This will avoid guilt and make you focus on what’s most important. In your case it might be concerning a job, finances (remember, there is no level of income that cannot be outspent, so we all have to budget one way or the next), health, partnerships, children, etc., whatever it may be. Then, work hard to fulfill it. Seek professional counseling if you wish. Friends are nice to talk to. John Gray once said, “Every woman is a therapist…they each give advice…Often it is well-meaning but ill advised.” However, being a therapist is not just listening and giving solutions. It involves much training, skills, and objectivity.

So, choose just one thing.

Have a glorious Happy New Year.

Oh, I cannot tell you how much I’ve enjoyed hearing from and meeting some of you. I’d really appreciate hearing from more of you if you feel inclined.

With affection,
Dr. Phyllis-Terri