Happiness, at the core, is a state of mind, a choice, and the debate ensues regarding money and its effect. I fall into the camp of belief that money is only associated to happiness based on the degree of comfort in one’s surroundings that it can create, not that it inherently causes happiness in and of itself (picture curling up in front of a fire with stacks of $20s).

But what about serious depression? I mean, if Chevy Chase, who has lots and lots of money, has trouble finding the correct anti-depressant for 6 years, what does that say about money’s role and strength regarding happiness?

In the end, it is the quality of our relationships that influences happiness, which so perfectly brings us circling back to episode 1, and so it goes.

Be prepared for MFT3 to refer to this series often regarding the multitude of topics that were so beautifully illustrated by PBS. I hope you were as moved by it as I was.

The thing that this episode, “Facing Our Fears” so poignantly expresses is that we all do have all of these feelings, but what to do when they become unmanageable? And what does unmanageable look like, really?

As a therapist I am proud of PBS for being so thorough and explicit, going to the tough place and shedding light into some commonly dark corners. I will be using these episodes as resources for current and future clients as a launching pad for conversations about grief, trauma, depression, fear, how families of the afflicted can be affected and more.

I cannot wait to see tonight’s last episode. I hope you tune in as well. If you missed episode 2, click here to view the entire 2-hour show.

The subject was “Family, Friends and Lovers” and the focus was on the impact and importance of the relationships we have, our absolute need for them to be supportive and nurturing, and when things go awry, where and how to get help.

Even though the specific modality of Marriage and Family Therapy itself was not mentioned, the last part “Lovers”, where we follow the couple Monica and Phil through couples counseling, could not have been more appropriate regarding the actual experience that I have gone through so many dozens of times with couples myself. It was incredibly hopeful to me, as a therapist, that so many hundreds of thousands of people who may have outdated or misinformed ideas of what therapy is or looks/feels like were able to be witnesses to an actual, real, accurate experience.

Tune in tonight for part 2, click the link above if you missed part 1, and check back here tomorrow for more feedback, observation and learning.

Registration is required so please call 203-268-8852 if you are interested in attending this free workshop.

There is so much that comes with holidays, especially Thanksgiving; the emotions, the traditions, the family juggling, all amidst your own desire for a relaxing and reflective break. I have posted a bunch of fun and informative tweets regarding thoughts on Thanksgiving, check them out at http://twitter.com/mft3.

• I am a lousy baker and quiver at the thought of making a pie from scratch, enjoy the Awl post which gave me a bit of hope.
• I know that the “letter” has made the rounds but it’s a funny classic, enjoy. (If this is your family, we are booking appointments for Monday…)
• My family is one of those grace-challenged ones so I especially liked the many ideas posed in the BlogHer post.
• And giving back, after we reflect on all of the abundance that we really do have, is always a nice way to round out this thoughtful holiday, some nice ideas and links to explore.

Above all else, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks first and foremost for you and then for all of the other bounty and challenge that life offers each one of us.

MFT3 wishes everyone a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving.

Therefore I offer to you the following. July is “National Hot Dog Month” and “National Ice Cream Month”. Now that sounds like a fun, flavorful and frugal kind of celebration. It is also “National Family Reunion Month” and while this may cause more stress for some, it may also be an opportunity to reduce yourselves of some clutter by making the gathering a donation event as well, reducing your extra stuff as a family and helping others who lack some of the basics. Helping someone else and being grateful for what you still have has a wonderful healing effect.

July 18th is “Toss Away the Could-Haves and Should-Haves Day”. Should is another one of those tough words. It means that if something isn’t as it “should” be then everything else is worse or wrong. That’s a pretty high standard to meet. I can always find at least 3 to 6 alternative ways of seeing any situation. Embrace today, where you are, and realize that this is good, too.

from Wikipedia by Alvesgaspar

My favorite, though, is July is also “National Share a Sunset with your Lover Month”. This is a great free celebration that we can all enjoy. It costs nothing, just some time and some willingness to make it happen. Yeah, we’ve had more than our share of rain in CT, but there are still many sunny days ahead.

Any situation is what you make it, and Less is definitely More if you let it be. Have a great sunset!