Welcome readers!
I'm going to be sharing my wisdom gleaned from years of therapy, where
I have taught and learned for thirty years. Feel free to post your thoughts and questions. This site, of course, is not meant to diagnose or treat anyone. My postings will share with you my philosophy of therapy and treatment overall. Even if you agree with all of my perceptions, it may be difficult for you to internalize this information and apply it to your own life. Individual therapy is where you can customize these beliefs into a system that works for you from your own background and experiences.
Many people seek peace of mind, being at peace with others and yourself, living the life you hoped and envisioned. The work of individual therapy helps identify those things holding you back from your vision, and the things that help you get where you want to go and live the life you want. There are certain mentally healthy attitudes and behaviors that you can learn, even if they weren't taught you, that apply to us all. I'll attempt to blog about the most important ones.
I have included a prayer that I have in my office. I believe we have to learn how to trust ourselves by learning from the choices and decisions we make. This prayer speaks to the gifts and lessons we need to be able to find in each of our choices. There are no perfect choices, just package choices. Each one has positives and negatives.
An Indian Prayer
We ask for strength
and you give us difficulties
which make us strong;
We ask for wisdom and
you send us problems,
the solutions of which
develop wisdom. We plead
for prosperity and you
give us brain and brawn
to work. We plead for
courage and you give
us dangers to overcome,
We ask for favors and
you give us opportunities;
we ask you to bless us
and assist us according
to thy will.
(author unknown)
And always being grateful for the gifts in your life.
Over the next several weeks, I will try to post one weekly and will start by posting blogs on the following topics:
Spirituality - honoring that part of ourselves
Peace of mind - how to get it
Self trust and self esteem - building them up over life
Trusting others - can I?
Communication - some tips to hear and be heard
Balance - in your day and in your life
Boundaries - with everyone including myself
Parenting - things that work and things that don't
Relationships - rules for healthy ones of all kinds
Wholeness - mind, body, emotions and soul
I will add categories and topics as I go along, and some will certainly be guided by your responses and questions.
Hey Holly! I think this is a great first post and jump in the the blogosphere (patent pending). I'm looking forward to some of the upcoming posts you describe, specifically with the element of spirituality.
ReplyDeleteThe Indian prayer is a real winner, thanks for sharing. I think that's a great way to look at the challenges of life and the way we develop wisdom over time through our experiences, as it certainly can't just be handed to us :)
All in all, really solid start, I'll be following along and subscribing to the blog!
Oh! Sorry for double posting, but I meant to also ask how you formulated the basis for your personal belief system. Was there a major influence from your parents on that, or what else has been the driving force in your spirituality?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I was introduced to being a Lutheran by my parents, and even taught Sunday school at one point. I pulled away from organized religion, however, when my parents passed away. It seemed more their choice of communication with God than mine. Now I feel that I've created my own conversation. I manifest my beliefs in many ways in my life, my spiritual symbols in my garden are one small way.
ReplyDeleteI see, thanks for the insight. Yeah I think coming up with that personal "conversation" and relationship is important.
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