Happy Thanksgiving!

Pfeiffer Institute Reach will be closed starting Wednesday, November 25, to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen for regular hours on Monday, November 30. Have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving!

Happy Easter!

For I remember it is Easter morn,

And life and love and peace are all new born.

~Alice Freeman Palmer

All of us here at Pfeiffer Institute Reach wish you a joyous and peaceful Easter,

 spent with loving family and friends. 

Take today to relax and celebrate. 

If you need us, you can Reach  for a better tomorrow...tomorrow!

Spend the Holiday Honoring Your Values

by Laura Bryan, PhD, Clinic Director

The holidays are fast approaching, and with them plenty of stress! It would help to be thoughtful about making the holidays a time you honor your values -- time spent with family -- instead of joining the rush of consumerism and parties.

Easier said than done. That's why Pfeiffer Institute Reach is offering a free workshop to help you focus and consider your options. Join us at the clinic on Wednesday, November 20, from 5:30-6:30. You may be on your way home from work or school, worrying about getting through the evening and getting everything done before tomorrow. If you stop, though, and take this time to plan, you will notice that your holidays will be more what you want, instead of just reacting to what happens.

At the workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn some stress/time management hints, as well as brainstorm about what you want to do for your specific situation. Do you want to focus on honoring your relationship with your partner, expressing gratitude for the gift of being together? Do you want to help your children understand your family traditions, and why they're important to all of you? Maybe you want to be sure you enjoy your "family of choice" -- the friends who get you through the rest of the year.

Whatever your goal, come to Reach on Wednesday, November 20, from 5:30 - 6:30. The hour you spend with us can make a positive difference for your holiday season!

Reap Where You Sow

by Byron Coley, Therapist Intern

We often hear the biblical phrase “you reap what you sow” (Galatians 6:7, KJV), which simply means a person will receive that which they plant.  According to this philosophy, if a person treats their spouse or partner badly, they will in turn be treated in a similar manner.  Inversely, if an individual treats their spouse in a loving way, it is likely that their love will be returned.

Along with reaping what you sow, individuals must also understand that they reap where they sow.  This phrase suggests that seeds will grow where they are planted.  If a person plants grass seeds in their front yard, they cannot expect those same seeds to grow in the back yard.  As relationships are concerned: If an individual puts a lot of time and effort into their job, it is probable that they will reap the results of that hard work.  This may yield promotions, higher pay, or just an overall sense of success.  However, the time and hard work individuals place in their jobs cannot be use as a substitute for the love and attention they show their partners.

Not only can this idea be used for a person’s employment, it can be tied to a variety of things such as: children, friends, family, hobbies, etc.  All of these are important, and thus are worthy of an individual’s time and attention, but must be done in moderation.  If a person is practicing his or her golf game, and is spending less time with their spouse/family, this could obviously pose a problem within the couple-relationship.  Of course it is great to have an improved putting game, but at what cost?

It is great and sometimes necessary to have a variety of hobbies and people that you can spend time with.  Yet, it is important to have balance, and set intimate time aside for your partner and children.  Remember to sow good seeds, which will ideally be restored back to you, and most importantly be conscious of which areas of your life you are planting those seeds.