Cultivate Counselling & Consulting

12/12/2025

I love this quote, laughter is contagious.

So is Christmas decorations. Got them out on the 1st December at the office space.

12/12/2025

11/12/2025

Even at the most serious times/events - there is usually a moment or two of laughter and levity.

It is always how you look or think about life?

11/12/2025

I am not so sure that I agree with Stephen, may need to check next time I am angry.....

How do you feel about this?

11/12/2025

This weeks blog (musing) - for others, please visit the website and look under the musing page.

This week’s topic is apt as we are racing towards the silly season and for some, this quote may be so true for many of us.

Unfortunately, Christmas can bring mixed feelings for those who do not have a so called “normal family” experience. Not all families are like those in the Hallmark movies and for many of us, life is not so traditional or exist in a “happy place”. It is also at times, difficult to celebrate when you have lost your family member(s) and life is not so good.

I have been fortunate over the years and have celebrated occasions with our blended family, that found us. This exists of my family (husband and adult sons) along with two other families. The now adult children have all grown up together and played sports – both together and/or against each other. We have celebrated many events over the past nineteen years together; Christmas, birthdays, weddings and the births and arrival of grandchildren. We have also experienced grief, both loss of life and adverse events.

We have laughed and cried together over the years, through the good times and the not so good. We have all watched the children grow into the adults that they are now and celebrated their achievements as one.

When we were in Tasmania recently, we even caught up with one of the adult children from the other family. That’s what we do.

Last week, many of my family were in Melbourne and whilst there – we caught up with family members from both families for dinner and trips to a market. It is always fun to catch up together and laugh at life and life’s events. We all did enjoy telling of funny events from the night prior to the others and yes, they also saw the humour in the situation.

We have once again organised the family Christmas event for those who are able to attend, our door is open this year. If the adult children are in the region, they know our door is always open for them and especially on Christmas day. It doesn’t matter where they reside, or how long they have been away – we always catch up as time does not exist. They are the family we have chosen and continue to choose, despite what life throws at us.

Who or what do you call your family?

PS: the photo was one of the many shared meals we had together.

11/12/2025

Life is definitely ironic at times.

My gazing ball's "sea" background is constantly changing direction.

Can't keep a straight line to save myself!

Will do some more of this, when back in the studio next week.

10/12/2025

Professional photos can be quite tame at times and I decided on this day that I needed a prop to lighten the mood.

This gorgeous dragon is from my Sandtray room and she graces one of the shelves. I also have many from the Smurf family as they are also a sense of fun and frivolity when I was in primary school.

10/12/2025

I love this concept.

A simple smile, whether that of our own, or borrowed from someone else - can really change our day!

10/12/2025

Humour has some great qualities.

It provides a sense of space, which in turn, assists us to plan on what to do next.

It has a wonderful way of changing how we look at things in life.

09/12/2025

I am really enjoying the quotes this week and each day, I find another gem.

I know for me, laughter has provided another perspective on the topic at hand. It really has assisted me through some very difficult events.

Laughter is very healing.

09/12/2025

Isn't this a lovely thought - a sense of humour helps to protect us all.

Do you bring your armour out often?

09/12/2025

I know at times, I have laughed in highly inappropriate moments.

Good to know that it is a stress response!

Thought I'd add in the photo of Apollo, when he was modelling for his groomer. He certainly has a gorgeous smile when he brings it out.