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January 6, 2009

Volume 1, Issue #018 Happy New Year

A Note From Jim

Feature Article: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Happy New Year

Hi, Jim here - Bringing you the next in our series of bi-weekly E-zines. This writing occurs just after the ending of what has been a very difficult year for many people. The war has not gone much better than before. The economy has been on a serious downhill slide. The dropping stock market, automobile industry losses, layoffs and business closings have been constantly reported in the news. This also appears to be a time of positive transition. We have a newly elected candidate of hope for the presidency. Fortunately, the price of gas and oil has fallen far below the prices that were predicted. It seems that few people will have trouble saying goodbye to 2008. This year is elusive and at this point difficult to predict. Our anticipation of 2009 is filled with both hope and fear. At times like this it becomes very important to be clear about what things are under our control and what things are not under our control. We always have our thoughts, perspectives and plans. My goal is to share with you a positive and constructive way to assess our last year and to approach this next year.

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

This is the time of year we tend to think in terms of making “New Year’s resolutions.” Whenever we do this we tend to focus on correcting a flaw or doing something that we’re not doing now. I would encourage a different process. I would encourage you to look back and review the entire year. Think about the things that went well along with the things that didn’t go so well. Give yourself credit for the positives. Also think about the things that accidentally went right and what you contributed to them going right. Some of this might have been intuitive on your part or just lucky. In either case, plan to repeat the positive contributions. Think about what you could have done differently for yourself, your loved ones or friends. Find a way to take steps towards accomplishing these things. Lastly, think of some things, endeavors or accomplishments you’d like to make or do and plan accordingly.

This is an exciting time for us at Foster and Associates. We have several new projects in the planning phase that are close to beginning. Nancy Foster will soon make a new specialty area available to people in the Manchester area. She is a Life Energy Coach who will work with individuals and groups towards accomplishing personal and entrepreneurial goals. Coaching is a very different process than therapy. In counseling or therapy the client(s) work towards correcting or enhancing internal processes that enable them to more successfully deal with others or the world at large. In coaching, the client is urged to explore and develop their options in order to accomplish the goals they have set. Their personal health and healthy internal functioning is a presumed prerequisite for working with a coach. For more information click this link.

A new program to support parents of children with certain special needs is also being planned. The parents will be helped to understand their child’s needs and how to effectively work with the school system to ensure that their child’s needs are met.

At this time we want to express our appreciation to all those who have used our services during the last year and all those who have reviewed this site and received the E-zines. We wish you all a very happy, healthy and productive New Year.

Jim

_______________________________________________________________ Recommendations:

Parent Success Program Our Parent Success Program is a skills based course in parenting. The course covers parenting from birth to adulthood. It is a discussion based class where parents talk about challenges that they are encountering along their parenting journey. Parents discuss, learn and are encouraged. The more involved a parent is increases the liklihood of raising happy and well adjusted children. Our goal is to help, guide and nurture parents so they in turn will confidently help, guide and nurture their children. Please call our office to inquire about your Parent Success Program.(603)668-7744. Parents may attend any or all of the classes. Please see the curriculum in the parenting section of our website http://www.counselingnh.com/parenting.html

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, so long as you include this complete blurb with it: Entrepreneur and 30 year expert James Foster publishes the bi-weekly CounselingNH Ezine in the areas of family, marriage, relationships and parenting. If you are interested in quality information, tips and resources of ways to enhance your family, marriage, relationships and parenting visit this content rich site at http://www.counselingnh.com

All the Best,

Jim Foster