email Mariage Wkshp.doc

January 23, 2008

Announcing a free marriage enrichment workshop Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM at my office, 11004 E 40 Hwy, Independence, MO (just west of the intersection of 40 Hwy and Sterling).

I am offering a free marriage enrichment workshop aimed at helping couples have happier marriages. Some of the topics I will cover will include:

*The different kinds of love

* How to argue and still be friends

* The importance of mutual respect

* When to agree to disagree

* Understanding your spouse’s differences

* The importance of forgiveness and repentance

Please let your congregation know about this opportunity to learn more about how they can improve their marriage. I am also willing to conduct a workshop at your church.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 25 years of experience and use a Faith Based approach to helping people resolve their problems. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Seating is limited please call mea at 816-353-5363 to make your reservation.

Sincerely,

Mark L. Smith, MA, LPC, LCSW

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

After the Holidays-fighting the blues

Now the excitement and rushing around for Christmas and New Years are over you may be feeling blue, your energy level may be low. This is not uncommon. Most of us have been so busy trying to get everything done and now it is over some of us, especially the older ones, have to push our selves to just do the normal things.

This year I am telling myself and my wife it is OK to slow down for a few days. We just got back from visiting family in Florida. We decided to drive because we did not want the hassle of air travel, but it meant spending four days out of the last eight days driving and then sleeping in different beds. Naturally we are tired. It also means saying good bye to children and grandchildren not knowing when we will get to see them again.

So today I am fighting to keep from getting depressed while getting back into my normal routine. The older I get the more important routines become. I made myself get some exercise and then I took sometime to reflect on the Holidays. I took a look at some of the photos and recalled the excitement and joy of watching the grandchildren open and play with their gifts. Then I paused to thank God for all the good things in my life.

Then I ask God for his strength to deal with the struggles both I and my family members will face in the year ahead. I know from past experience that in the end “all things do work together for those who love the Lord. “ Romans 8:28 By giving thanks and trusting God I know I can face what ever comes my way in 2008.