Children seem to have a knack for seeing the obvious and pointing it out to we, the elders, who lose our glimmer and perspective as we do all of the “adult” things. The responsible things. The things that are part and parcel of building a life, sustaining relationships, doing our best to nurture both family and careers. On good days, we find time for ourselves as well.
When pockets of hmm surface, I’m learning to slow down and receive, summon my inner child who sees hope more handily. If I pay attention, messages arrive in a whoosh. Sometimes well-chosen words popping in and lingering. Making me think.
I had a moment like that when I read Dr. Gerald Stein’s recent article where he acknowledged a truth, expressed in a way that was new to me. Fresh and captivating, it stopped me in my tracks.
Here’s a snippet of what Dr. Stein wrote, reflecting on psychotherapy and the nature and nuances of the therapist-client relationship:
“Not every knot must be untied.“
How many knots have I experienced, firsthand? How many have I acknowledged in individuals I’ve helped in my therapeutic roles? How many have I observed as I look at the world around me, identifying the collective knots?
I’m grateful to Dr. Stein for bringing insight to me. A thoughtful reminder that offering empathy, listening, being with one another is a powerful act. We may not untie our individual or societal “knots”, but the act of coming together with kindness counts. It matters. Conveyed, perhaps in the stark similarity between two very disparate words:
Untie and Unite
Two words. Vastly different connotations (antonyms – almost?) when two unassuming letters are swapped, transforming Untie into Unite. That’s my hmm…my glimmer.
It’s all in how I perceive.
Receive.
See what’s in front of me.
Many of my personal development milestones and successes in life came from unity. Being together with a well-chosen individual or like-minded many. Sharing the same values and dreams.
Unite.
Take that as you like. A political commentary about what matters most in the U.S. right now. An expression from me to you about urgency of protecting our planet, taking care of the people in need. Time spent finger pointing and blame-laying? The name calling and incivility? Time wasted. Especially when unity calls.
I’ll leave you with a quote from writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley. You might say he was thinking about joy…when he wrote:
“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.”
-Aldous Huxley
Vicki 😊
Where does my joy come from? Here’s one of my all-time favorite posts about my parents and it makes me weep when I read it, even now. Gratitude will do that. Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – At the Boulevard – Victoria Ponders
Check out this link to learn more about my book, “Surviving Sue”.
Victoria Ponders 
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