A Jar of Potential

02/04/2025

One of my favourite ways to do junk journaling is to create little memory books using a mix of photos and illustrations from old and damaged children's books.
This one is about our dog, Drax, and his adventures in the realm of his two humans. My granddaughter loves it!
If you were to create one, what would yours be about?

31/03/2025

It's April Fools' Day, and no doubt I'll get caught up in someone's playful attempt to amuse themselves at my expense!

It's a day to remember that having a sense of humour is probably one of the most valuable aspects of being human, and one of the most enjoyable. It's easy to forget that when we're too caught up in doing, being, and having more.

There's nothing so healing and rejuvenating than a solid belly laugh, with watery eyes and aching cheeks. Laughing your head off and snorting loudly is definitely not elegant but it feels great.

I have to admit, I'm always amused by some of the pranks that pop up in our Australian media channels. Some of them have been quite clever over the years.

Watch out today and remember to bring your sense of humour with you. That playful foolishness is bound to splash on you somewhere!

Be happy April Fools!

20/03/2025

Today is Harmony Day, and a beautiful reminder of how invaluable both individuality and connectedness are.

As humans, seeking purpose and connection without losing our individuality means finding a balance between 'fitting in' and 'being different'. The right level of tension can be challenging to harmonise.

If you find yourself feeling a little out of sorts, and disconnected, try stepping back into the childlike innocence within you, and take a moment to appreciate the things we all have in common.

Some examples I like to remember are:
* we all like to laugh
* we all like to eat delicious food
* we all have things we value and appreciate
* we all like it when people are kind to us
*we all feel good when something good happens

This Harmony Day, I encourage you to focus on the similarities you see in the people around you, especially those you think are different from you. You might be surprised and what you find.

17/03/2025

It's St. Patrick's Day already!

The year is just flying by and before you know it, it will roll on past and into the next one. Today, this little leprechaun has popped in to remind us all to stop and have some fun here and there.

Life needn't be so serious all of the time. In fact, having fun and being playful is essential to recharging and refuelling ourselves. When we allow ourselves to play, and enjoy ourselves, we actually have more energy for the less exciting tasks in our lives.

So today, have a little fun, get playful, and let that mischievous side of you show, even if just a little.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

13/03/2025

Today is the day we celebrate the mystery of Pi, the mathematical constant that has endless numbers. It's the calculation that gives us the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. We shorten the number and say it's approximately equal to 3.14, however the actual number is very long indeed.

Pi is called an irrational number because it cannot be expressed exactly, this is because it's decimals never end (or at least mathematicians haven't found the end yet).

It is also a transcendental number, as it's not a solution with finite numbers. The transcendence of Pi (also symbolised as π) implies that it is impossible to square a circle with a compass and straightedge. In other words, mathematical proof that square pegs do not fit in round holes!

My reason for sharing this today, is because we are all both irrational and transcendental in the sum of who we are. Sadly, most of us spend too much of our lives trying not to be through our efforts to fit in, contorting ourselves like a pretzel, conforming, keeping up, dropping the extra parts of ourselves, and the like, all to prove the value of our worth.

Well, after a long journey of doing all of that, I can assure you, the only thing you'll discover is that you are you, unique and different, yet also the same as everyone else. The enigma that is you is ever evolving, and changing, and, like Pi, the aspects of you, if expressed as numbers, go on and on.

So, today, give yourself permission to simply be a square peg in a round hole, and let the math speak for itself. Do you, be you, and stop at whatever decimal place you want. You can drop the rest, or don't. The choice is always yours.

Happy Pi Day!
I think I'll have apple pie to celebrate!

15/01/2024

How I inadvertently began collecting vintage portable typewriters, and the surprising life lesson I learned along the way.

How I inadvertently began collecting typewriters Have you ever rediscovered a love of something you had quite forgotten? They often say that the simplest of things bring the most joy, and I have to…

13/07/2023

Counselors are as varied as brands and flavours of chocolate! Each one has their own way of helping clients achieve wellbeing. Some will suit you more than others. Here's a simple explanation of some of the more popular counselling models that counselors use, and what to expect from them. Person-Centred Therapy This conversational style of therapy encourages the client to see themselves as the person who is the authority on their life, and therefore over the choices they make....

Counselors are as varied as brands and flavours of chocolate! Each one has their own way of helping clients achieve wellbeing. Some will suit you more than others. Here’s a simple explanation…

04/04/2023

Thinking about counselling?
Great! It's a really positive step toward change in your life.

Being listened to as you talk with someone you can trust helps you remember that you are not alone. It feels good to share, and talking about things can open up the door for healing.

When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. When we try to keep things stored in our head, especially strong feelings, we feel overwhelmed, which fuels our anxiety.

Talking frees us from that.

The style of counselling I offer is soothing and relaxed. Together we uncover the hidden meaning behind what's happening, and make sense of the challenges you have found yourself facing.

Some of the reasons people choose this style of counselling include:
~ Looking to make more sense of their life
~ Needing to find new ways forward
~ Simply to talk and feel completely understood

In person sessions are 60 minutes, and are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays by appointment only. (Located in Forde, ACT, 2914)

Take a positive step, book your first appointment today. Send me a message to find out more, or visit http://lauraapolocounselling.com.au

02/01/2023

2023 is what numerologists call a '7 year'. The number 7 invites us to ask "how can I do this better?"

It's a time when we, as individuals and as a global society, are being invited to think about the way we do things and who we are becoming as a result of the way we're doing things. In a nutshell it's an invitation to embrace personal and social responsibility, and take notice of the influence we have on the things happening around us.

Rather than taking, or laying blame, it's more about noticing what can be done differently to get a better outcome.

This year, you're being invited to listen to yourself and others, to take notice of what's happening and seek to understand the reasons for why things are unfolding the way they are. You're encouraged to look more closely, to retrace steps, and to name behaviours and identify contributing factors.

This is the year you pause and reflect as you ask the question, 'Is there a better way?'

It's a great time to have a look at what's been working for you, and see how you can do more of that. It's also the most effective time to step back and see what hasn't been working, and seek to understand why, so you can change and adapt as you need to.

It's a great time to experiment with new ideas that build upon what you already know well and have mastered. Think of this like your favourite recipes, and how to level them up. What makes plain vanilla ice-cream even more enjoyable?

This is a great year for going back to the basics and perfecting your techniques. It's the perfect time for taking notice of the details and fine tuning your habitual routine.

Approaching the year with this in mind is likely to bring much needed healing and recovery but also the recharging boost needed to get our mojo back.

2022 was a year of rebalancing, and recognising more of what we bring to the table. 2023 is about integrating what we've learned and applying our knowledge in new ways, to wider areas of our life.

Here's to welcoming in 2023, and all the opportunities it brings. May your year be filled with joy as well as compassion, may you be showered with the same kindness you offer, and benefit from new found wisdom and insights from whatever the year brings.

Happy 2023!

# #2023