T is for Therapy

 I wanted to jot down some of my thoughts from therapy before I forget them! Unfortunately it's been several hours so I probably have forgotten some things. But here's one that really got me: figure out what's important and find a way to make it a priority. For me, specifically, I was discussing how hard it is for me to get out of the house and she recommended making a list of things I'd really like to do and maybe find a way to figure out where it would fit best in our lives. 

She also recommended a podcast and I've listened to the first episode already, called The Lazy Genius. One of the ladies actually discussed making the most of outings in an advertisement about getting a grocery pickup on the way back from their family pool trip. That way they made sure they got pool time and still got groceries. But I really loved the episode I listened to because they discussed how, after Emily (the guest) had a near-death experience, she just let go of a lot of worry about what other people thought. She didn't have the time for it. She felt like a teenager, rebelling against social norms. What stood out is the idea that we generally don't rebel, because we don't want to create drama, so instead of creating drama, when we find ourselves in an unpleasant situation, well, that's just how life is now and we'll be that way forever. Mind blown! I was never rebellious as a teenager, and I'm starting to think maybe this should be my rebellious moment! It was truly very inspiring. I almost want to listen to that episode again, but she's made like 300 so I could probably find more inspiration. 

Oh, and not entirely therapy related, but in the podcast the guest also said she realized what she really wanted out of life was to help people not feel alone. !!! Wait!! That's what I want, also, part of my drive to find and create community. Why I loved the church so much, because I thought it could do that for people - help others to not feel alone. And here's the real tangent - the Star Trek show, Strange New Worlds, had a musical-style episode and the grand finale was a number about being united/connected and Uhura was so excited about finding the connections between people and how, together, they could accomplish this impossible seeming feat. It was actually pretty inspiring to me, though obviously I don't have a Starfleet mission. 

The one thing that's always felt true since I left the church is that we, as people, are so important to each other. Is there a literal, electrical-like connection between us? Like "good vibes," our thoughts are actual energy? Seems a bit hookey so I don't know about it, but something draws us together and all our skills compliment each other in a way that seems like it was meant to be. Community is like my religion now, I'm so fascinated by the ways we can matter to each other, how our minds and bodies can potentially be improved by contact with fellow humans. 

So anyway, if I can figure out how to get out of the house with my children, perhaps I can get out to help my community, too, and help others to feel not alone, and potentially with healing friendships I can improve the rest of my life as well... but one thing at a time. After bedtime, I'm making a list! A list of things I want to do before summer is over with my kiddos. WE WILL DO IT. 

(Because, like my last post, even if I can't do the funnest thing on my list, the things we do will be pretty fun)