There are also things that we can change...our own thoughts, feelings and actions.

Are you one of many people who are stuck and overwhelmed at the idea that there are too many things that need to change in order to feel better?

Change one thing at a time.

Do one thing different each day, each week or each month.

By the time Mary arrived home from work each evening, she was a nervous wreck from deadlines at work, the commute home and the anticipation of her family's demands. She was stuck feeling as though she had no control over these things; but these things were controlling her and affecting her mood, her work performance, her interactions with family, she was having difficulty sleeping and was having frequent headaches.

After learning about Change One Thing, she tried changing one thing. When she arrived home from work, she set a timer for 20 minutes, during which time no one was permitted to disturb her. Mary changed one thing, and reaped unexpected rewards. She found that her commute home was less stressful because she knew she had 20 minutes waiting for her. She used her 20 minutes to have a cup of tea and relax, or read e-mails from friends, read a magazine or walk in her garden. Mary found herself refreshed and able to enjoy quality time with her family (instead of being solely task oriented with her family).

She experienced other rewards as well...her family found ways to work out their usual demands on her in other ways; she slept better at night, so she had more energy at work and was not overwhelmed by deadlines; her headaches decreased; and, she was caught up on correspondence and reading, and she finally had the time to enjoy that garden she had planted.

You cannot change the world; you can change one thing in your world each day, each week or each month.

What one thing have you changed?

Let us know.

Recognize your potential to live better,

Susan Vichick-Johnson, LISW-CP is a psychotherapist and coach in private practice at Lifeworks in Mt. Pleasant. You can submit your parenting questions to Susan via email at svjohnson@lifeworkscharleston.com or to 250 Mathis Ferry Rd, #101, Mt. Pleasant, SC, 29466