There are only a few times a year when society asks us to look at ourselves. During final exams in school, attendance in places of worship, and during major holidays, there are demands for self-reflection. But on December 31st, I found the internet asking me what I care about. How? The deluge of end of year giving requests. It is a microcosm of my values. Gun control, domestic violence services, homelessness, hunger, international human rights, non-profit education, refugees, children’s services, doctors without borders, public radio, public library…. the list of needs goes on forever. Reading my email I had to really reflect on what was most important to me if I wanted to give consistent with my values.
If you are in therapy, your therapist will ask you to reflect not just once a year, but every time you’re in session. What do you care about? What are you doing about it? Are you willing to make a change?
Giving change 
is hard, but making change is even harder. When people say therapy is work, it’s because it means really considering your values, and committing to them. What are you avoiding? Is that consistent with your values? How are you interacting with the world? Coming to therapy means being willing to ask the questions, hear the answers, and try to give some change.