Restoring Connections

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Core Value No.4 - Healthy Boundaries

Our current podcast series provides short overviews of each of the four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections.

They are: Personal Responsibility, Proactive Care, Powerful Communication, and Healthy Boundaries.

In this episode, we look a little closer at:

Healthy Boundaries - Protecting the Connection

and these principles:

1. I learn and keep learning my limits

2. I set up boundaries and break down walls

3. I set boundaries for me and let you set boundaries for you

4. I have a plan for unmet needs

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Core Value No.3 - Powerful Communication

Our current podcast series provides short overviews of each of the four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections.

They are: Personal Responsibility, Proactive Care, Powerful Communication, and Healthy Boundaries.

In this episode, we look a little closer at:

Powerful Communication - Guiding the Connection

and these principles:

1. I prepare myself before important conversations

2. I pursue understanding first and agreement second

3. I tell you about me and let you tell me about you

4. I participate in establishing a clear way forward

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Core Value No.2 - Proactive Care

Our current podcast series provides short overviews of each of the four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections.

They are: Personal Responsibility, Proactive Care, Powerful Communication, and Healthy Boundaries.

In this episode, we look a little closer at: Proactive Care - Feeding the Connection

and these principles:

1. I care for you because I choose to.

2. I actively care for you even when I'm in pain.

3. I learn about you and care for you according to who you are.

4. I embrace my need to be cared for by you.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Core Value No.1 - Personal Responsibility

There are four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections.

 

They are:
1. Personal Responsibility 

2. Proactive Care

3. Powerful Communication 

4. Healthy Boundaries

These are practices we've gleaned from those we are mentored by and that we learn from regularly. They are ancient truths that we have simply brought together in a new format.

Restoring Connections was birthed out of the heartache and disappointments that we have navigated in our closest relationships. In our darkest moments, we had support from others who possessed the strength and wisdom that we needed. The lessons we have learned along the way have formed the core values of our training curriculum. It is now our privilege to support people in their own journey of strengthening their most important relationships and in turn, supporting them to mentor others also.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

What Do I Do With All This Pain? Part 2

Close relationships are going to occasionally involve pain, and very close relationships are likely to occasionally involve a LOT of pain. Naturally, we want to do everything we can to avoid pain, but the reality is that pain isn’t what destroys relationships. Depending on how we respond to pain, it can either lead to confusion (the actual relationship killer), or it can lead to learning, growth, and deeper trust.

In this second episode of a 2-part series, I dive into an exploration of healthy ways to navigate through pain wholeheartedly. That means ensuring our words, actions, and feelings are all lining up even when it hurts. I share some of my own personal, painful experiences and some of the practical steps I implement that help me turn painful situations into personal growth, and deeper relationships with the most important people in my life.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

What Do I Do With All This Pain? Part 1

Close relationships are going to occasionally involve pain, and very close relationships are likely to occasionally involve a LOT of pain. Naturally, we want to do everything we can to avoid pain, but the reality is that pain isn’t what destroys relationships. Depending on how we respond to pain, it can either lead to confusion (the actual relationship killer), or it can lead to learning, growth, and deeper trust.

In this first episode of a 2-part series, I dive into an exploration of healthy ways to navigate through pain wholeheartedly. That means ensuring our words, actions, and feelings are all lining up, even when it hurts. I share some of my own personal, painful experiences and some of the practical steps that I implement that help me turn painful situations into personal growth, and deeper relationships with the most important people in my life.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Shame - Part 2

Shame, the feeling of inadequacy or being unworthy of love, is one of the most soul-destroying emotional experiences a human being can have.

It wreaks havoc on close relationships. Every one of us will wrestle with shame at some point in our lives. Many, if not most of us, wrestle with it on a daily basis. In the modern age of extraordinary communication technology, most of us live immersed in a shame-driven online culture where every possible human flaw is put under the magnifying glass for the world to critique. It can be terrifying and paralysing.

In this second episode of a 2-part series on ‘shame’, I draw on some very helpful wisdom from Cora regarding recognising ‘shaming’ practices that we use without realising it. We take a close look at why shaming is often a go-to behaviour, even with people we care for deeply [such as our own children] and what we can do practically to put the shaming tools down and pick up much healthier tools for communicating effectively with the closest people in our lives, especially when they are doing things that drive us nuts.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Shame - Part 1

Shame, the feeling of inadequacy or being unworthy of love, is one of the most soul-destroying emotional experiences a human being can have.

It wreaks havoc on close relationships. Every one of us will wrestle with shame at some point in our lives. Many, if not most of us, wrestle with it on a daily basis. In the modern age of extraordinary communication technology, most of us live immersed in a shame-driven online culture where every possible human flaw is put under the magnifying glass for the world to critique. It can be terrifying and paralysing.

In this first episode of a 2-part series on ‘shame’, I draw on some very helpful wisdom from Cora regarding recognising ‘shaming’ practices that we use without realising it. We take a close look at why shaming is often a go-to behaviour, even with people we care for deeply [such as our own children] and what we can do practically to put the shaming tools down and pick up much healthier tools for communicating effectively with the closest people in our lives, especially when they are doing things that drive us nuts.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

What am I learning from this, and what are you learning from this?

Going through painful, disappointing experiences can eat away at the hope we have for the future. This is especially true when we feel that we’re experiencing the same painful things on repeat! How can we move forward when we keep doing the same dumb things over and over? The answer, of course, is in our ability to learn, grow, and change… which can be really hard. 

 

In this episode, we look at three guiding principles for healthy, non-judgmental conversations about problems. When Cora and I meet every week, we want to be focused on working together to tackle the issues in front of us rather than blaming and criticising each other. Believe me, it’s not always easy! These principles help us turn failures and frustrations into positive growth.

Matthew + Cora Dawson

Are these labels actually helping us?

Our culture is utterly obsessed with labels. Why? And more importantly, is it actually helpful in any way? I think most of us tend to find labels helpful and stabilising when describing the negative behaviour of someone who has caused us pain or frustration. Especially if we can find others who agree with us. It brings order into our chaotic state. But what about when trust is the goal? What about when deepening your connection with the person in front of you is more important than soothing your own personal need to feel in control of the situation? Are those negative labels helpful, then?

 

In this episode, I share openly about my own thoughts regarding labelling behaviour, when I’ve noticed it to be helpful and when I’ve noticed it to be damaging, even catastrophic, to a relationship. This conversation springs mostly from our Personal Responsibility course module and, in particular, the necessity of retaining a judgement-free heart, which is incredibly challenging and absolutely necessary for a healthy relationship with anyone, anywhere, ever.