Dr David Murphy Physician Psychotherapist

01/09/2026

A common method for creating a New Year Resolution is to write down your goal in great detail. The argument is that the more detail there is, the more likely it is that you will fulfill the resolution. And that is true. This type of resolution engages the conscious mind to create a detailed and specific plan of action to change a number of different behaviours over time that will lead to a successful outcome.
Another method is to use just one word to describe your New Year Resolution. Yes, just one word. A powerful word. A word that summarizes what can be a complicated process of change. A word that engages your unconscious mind in the change process.
Your conscious mind processes just seven bits of information at a time. On the other hand, your unconscious mind processes millions of bits of information every second: The sights, sounds, sensations, smells and tastes of the outside world and the information that comes from monitoring the myriad of processes going on inside the body and the brain, beneath the awareness of our conscious mind. The unconscious mind also has access to all the resources of lifetime of memories and experiences that has been stored somewhere in the brain.
The word you choose will be artfully vague, the opposite of the detailed conscious goal. That word might be ‘Healthy’ or ‘Successful’ or ‘Confident’ or ‘Happy’ or ‘Calm’ or ‘Self-Assured’ or ‘Compassionate’ or ‘Content’ or ‘Wealthy’ or ‘Sober’ or ‘Satisfied’ or ‘Kind’ or ‘Energized’ or some other word that cleverly summarizes the goal that you want to achieve in 2026. Perhaps a word springs to mind now. All these types of words have different meanings to different people. You will have your own meaning for your own word. You will know what it means to you.
My word for 2026 is Sustainable.
I want all my actions in 2026, and then beyond, to be Sustainable for my mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. When I am considering taking an action, I will be asking myself, and my unconscious self, if that action is sustainable.
My unconscious mind will sort through all the memories of my lifetime of experiences of success and failure and provide me with guidance. My unconscious mind will be monitoring my health and determining if my health is improving or deteriorating and providing me with feedback. Will I be feeling ‘healthy’ or ‘sick’? Will my life force be increasing or decreasing?
My choices will not necessarily be perfect. I will still need to monitor my progress and determine if I have used good judgement or bad judgement by listening to myself. Good judgement comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgement. The guiding light will be my word Sustainable. If my course of action turns out to be not Sustainable, then I will change course and make different decisions.
So, what will your word be?
What complex thoughts and ideas and behaviours will that word represent for you?
What choices are you going to start making that will be guided by that word?
How will you measure if your choices are keeping you on track during 2026 and beyond?

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Send a message to learn more

01/05/2026

Unfortunately, some doctors seem to believe that Long COVID is a hoax.

There are an estimated million Canadians suffering from Long CoVID. I got to see a talk by Dr Ric Arseneau recently, and it was just fantastic. His website has lots of interesting and useful resources.
https://bc-clmf.org/

01/04/2026

The brain is constantly in survival mode and seeking ways of conserving energy. When it comes down to it, the moment we run out of energy, we cease to exist. At least. In this world.
We conserve energy by acting on assumptions, which saves energy by avoiding energy-consuming analysis. Our assumptions are based on beliefs about ourselves and the world around us.
Those beliefs are based on experience, the stories that we tell ourselves and the stories that our parents, or other important people, have told us.
The brain believes the story it hears the most often, whether it comes from our own inner voice or from someone else's voice, even if that story is negative or critical and erodes our self-worth.
Its a New Year and it's that time when we decide to make changes, changes in our assumptions about ourselves and the world around us, challenge limiting or negative beliefs and use positive instead of negative affirmations.
All of this takes energy. Therefore, the brain will resist, being reluctant to consume energy.
Its like going to a bank manager and asking for a loan for a project that will generate income. The Bank Manager needs convincing that the project is worthwhile, that you are committed to success and that the loan will be profitable. Then, the Brain will be willing to invest the energy necessary for making your New Year Resolution become a reality. Change will happen and you will experience a new energy.
The old, outdated assumptions and beliefs will fade away and be replaced by new assumptions and beliefs that help you to thrive in today's world.
I hope that is helpful.
Dr. David Murphy

01/04/2026

Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Happy New 2026

12/10/2025

Hypnosis is an effective and proven tool for quitting smoking.
If you want to quit smoking, then a 2-3 Hour online hypnosis session will help you to find the motivation and the skills to quit smoking forever.
To learn more, contact me through my website drdavidmurphy.ca

11/17/2025

The mind body connection. So important.

The polyvagal theory really speaks to me - as a psychotherapist, as a chronic pain physician and as an addictions doctor. It connects the body and the mind through the power of the nervous system. How we react depends on whether the body and the spirit feel safe and connected. And sometimes, if we grew up or spent a lot of time with someone who impacted our nervous system in traumatic ways (by things being done to us or love/safety being withheld from us) we can get stuck on different places on the ladder.

When the nervous system has been shaped by trauma, our responses tend to be to protect us or assist in our survival rather than focusing on connection and social engagement.

Resilience is an outcome of being able to flexibly navigate the autonomic hierarchy.

What do you think of this idea?

10/11/2025

Steven Blake has developed a unique and proven method for managing persistent pain.

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10/04/2025

Surprisingly, we can change the past
We do that all the time. Our memories are not like photos or videos, they are more like pieces of impressionistic art that can be altered and touched up as time goes by.

10/03/2025

Get your tickets now for the musical Young Frankenstein at the .
Opening night is October 17th.

09/11/2025

Finding peace in nature.
A relaxing sunset at Seacliffe Beach.
A perfect way to end the day.

08/28/2025

Psychotherapy can help to resolve many different mental health issues and help to find wellness and wellbeing. There are many types of therapy. It is important to find the model of therapy that makes sense to you and help you to makes the changes that you need to make.

08/17/2025

I used to be afraid of failing at the things that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter."
Bob Goff