It’s good to remind ourselves not to see and relate to people – children and adults – through the filter of a label, however correct we may think the label is.
Some time ago I had the opportunity of working with a woman in her late 20s. She was diagnosed as chronically depressed, and stuck in a junior position in her company because they said she was a slow learner with poor communication skills and no good at working in a team.
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“EVERY TIME WE TEACH A CHILD SOMETHING, WE PREVENT HIM FROM INVENTING IT HIMSELF!” Jean Piaget
You may think that the most important skill of a somatic psychotherapist is their ability to understand your process, to make sense of what you’re going through. That’s helpful but it’s not enough.
I DON’T THINK THE WORLD IS CHANGING IN THE WAY I’D LIKE IT TO.
In these times of upheaval, confusion and anxiety, however, I think it may be useful to consider this:
“There is beauty all around us, only for so many people it is buried and perhaps obscured by fear, hurt, frustration, anger, hopelessness, confusion…….
by Donald Marmara, Somatic Psychotherapist, Artarmon, Sydney
“Be wary of those who say they have the answers.
Seek instead the company of those who are trying to understand the questions.”
THE TASK OF A THERAPIST IS TO START WITH NOT KNOWING
What works for one person does not necessarily work for another.
PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT OTHERS NEED SUPPORT TOO!
Parents, Educators, Social Workers, Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics and Practitioners in the Healing Professions.
Are YOU getting the support you need?
Are YOUR needs being met?
I don’t need to explain how damaging stress can be, how it can undermine your immune system and cause you irritability, pain, and discomfort in the short term, and serious illness in the long term.
J:“I’ve given up all expectations”
M: “OK”
J: “OK? OK? Is that all you have to say? I thought you’d be a little more excited than that!!”
We all have expectations, some stated, some unstated and taken for granted.
Some of the biggest problems in relationships, causing us stress both at work and in our personal lives, are caused by expectations that are not clearly communicated.
by Donald Marmara, Somatic Psychotherapist Sydney
Consider this :
“IT’S EASY FOR MEAT-EATERS TO SHARE A KITCHEN
IT’S EASY FOR VEGETARIANS TO SHARE A KITCHEN
THE CHALLENGE IS FOR MEAT-EATERS AND VEGETARIANS TO FIND WAYS OF SHARING A KITCHEN WITH EACH OTHER!”
Quote from Sun Bear, Native American Medicine Man
Core Development is a unique method of dealing with stress by turning stressful situations into constructive rather than disruptive tools.
Rather than trying to eliminate the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, therefore, or labelling them as illnesses, they are recognised as signposts to a richer and more fulfilling life.
A wise old owl sat in an oak,The more she saw, the less she spoke. The less she spoke, the more she heard. Why can’t we be like this wise old bird?
In the mid-1980’s I served an apprenticeship with a Native American medicine man, Sun Bear.
When I introduced Sun Bear to an audience, I said:
There are different ways to listen. One way is to listen with your head, to try to understand, explain, interpret, evaluate and take notes.
PERHAPS IT”S TIME TO STOP FIGHTING AND START LISTENING.
Not listening in order to convince others that we’re right and they are wrong, but listening to understand, listening to empathize.
Perhaps its time to remember that our humanity unites us all. We may have conflicting beliefs and strong feelings, but underneath all this we are all human beings.
