Success at last! When I started therapy at Russian River Mental Health, I asked for the smartest therapist. I got lucky and was assigned a Doctor. I usually ramble on about current events and question why things are the way they are in America today. I talk to him about the senseless killings that happen all the time and I feel sad about the innocent people who die. He launches into a full blown analysis of why criminals do the things they do. He then changes the subject by reminding me to focus on what I can change-which is myself. He draws an imaginary line in front of him as he speaks. I say, "I know this and do it but I am also interested in what is going on in the world." I talk about the politicians and the radical extremists. I read the news and watch it a lot. I confess to my therapist that I am obsessed actually. He is probably thinking "Now I am getting somewhere." He suggests that I get out of my comfort zone for awhile each day. The sheer idea of getting out of my comfort zone makes me uncomfortable. He suggests that I read about different material at least 1 hour a day. I can't think of anything that is exciting as the news and politics. He recommends reading poetry. "Oh my God," I think-"Poetry is the MOST boring thing to read." Next he suggests reading about Buddhism. I politely say, "I was raised up as a Christian and I don't know anything about any other religion." He quickly turns to the topic of philosophy and recommends that I read the great sayings from the great philosophers from the past century. I am thinking, "Oh great...I dropped out of Philosophy when I was a Freshman in college. I couldn't understand it." I do have an open mind and I am several years older. Perhaps I will understand some of it now or at least learn something new. In fact I think I will also read poetry.
Success at last!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started therapy at Russian River Mental Health, I asked for the smartest therapist. I got lucky and was assigned a Doctor. I usually ramble on about current events and question why things are the way they are in America today. I talk to him about the senseless killings that happen all the time and I feel sad about the innocent people who die. He launches into a full blown analysis of why criminals do the things they do. He then changes the subject by reminding me to focus on what I can change-which is myself. He draws an imaginary line in front of him as he speaks. I say, "I know this and do it but I am also interested in what is going on in the world." I talk about the politicians and the radical extremists. I read the news and watch it a lot. I confess to my therapist that I am obsessed actually. He is probably thinking "Now I am getting somewhere." He suggests that I get out of my comfort zone for awhile each day. The sheer idea of getting out of my comfort zone makes me uncomfortable.
He suggests that I read about different material at least 1 hour a day. I can't think of anything that is exciting as the news and politics. He recommends reading poetry. "Oh my God," I think-"Poetry is the MOST boring thing to read." Next he suggests reading about Buddhism. I politely say, "I was raised up as a Christian and I don't know anything about any other religion." He quickly turns to the topic of philosophy and recommends that I read the great sayings from the great philosophers from the past century. I am thinking, "Oh great...I dropped out of Philosophy when I was a Freshman in college. I couldn't understand it." I do have an open mind and I am several years older. Perhaps I will understand some of it now or at least learn something new. In fact I think I will also read poetry.