Three Ideas That can Change Your Life.

As a therapist, I have heard just about everything.  Surprisingly enough life is stranger than fiction.  The average intake counseling session that I have could be the story line of an amazing movie.  Everyday people experiencing the unthinkable and not only surviving but thriving!

How do they do it?

Through radical self acceptance, learning how to let go and forgiveness.

Radically accepting yourself, your shadow (the dark parts that we run away from) and everything else in-between is a life's work.  It can be the most exciting and challenging task an adult can undertake, but the rewards are incalculable.

I often have folks review the four Noble Truths as the Buddha taught as a way to connect with the understanding that life has suffering, and that suffering is caused by attachment. 

Attachment or coveting in (The 10 Commandments) is that crafty way in which we either expect or demand something or someone to stay, give or do something. 

Our expectation is attachment, that attachment is like trying to hold onto a pier as waves crash in.  It's exhausting, it tears you away and leaves you feeling battered.

Learning how to let go sounds easy but it can be difficult without the proper tools, that is where therapy comes in handy.  A trained therapist can assist you with identifying and changing patterns that lead to these issues.  

Forgiveness is purposefully last as it is the product of non-attachment and radical acceptance.

Hurt feelings, grudges and the like are like fuel for the fire of misery, once we heal our pain, we no longer look to drink poison and hope someone else will die.

I refer to forgivness as the "F Bomb of therapy" for good reason, it's like a dirty word to those that are not ready to embrace it.

These three simple constructs are the beginning to a life long joyrney of self discovery, acceptance of others and joy.