Hope for Healing

We tend to operate out of a belief that feeling guilty about a mistake or habit we can't seem to break is what will eventually make us stop, that allowing ourselves to suffer in varying degrees of self-hatred is what we deserve and need in order not to do it again. The belief also prevails that when others (children, spouses, friends, etc.) mess up, the right punishment will teach them and bring about the change we want them to make. More than likely, however, changes that ...follow punishment (whether by self or others) are motivated more by a desire to avoid future punishment than by an actual desire to change. When the punisher isn't looking, a more evasive strategy is discovered, or a new (perhaps less detectable or blatantly unacceptable) behavior is found to replace the first, the punishee is likely to persist in his/her ways. But when a person's mistake or offense against himself or another is met by the offended party with grace--with genuine forgiveness and acceptance that is unearned and undeserved--this is what stuns the heart and motivates earnest effort to stop offending. Compassion and kindness (toward ourselves and others) in light of failure are counterintuitive as agents of change, but ultimately the thing we need most. Where is grace needed in your life today?

Perhaps today is the day to take that first step. #talktosomeone #therapy #help #wellness #hope #healing #dontbealone #hopeforhealing

Happy Thursday! You are more than you think you are :)

Have you ever wondered about what it would be like to go to therapy, but thought something along the lines of "I have it pretty good; it couldn't possibly be so bad that I would need to go to therapy?" or "That's for people who are really bad off"? You're not alone! Check out my newest blog post to learn more about whether or not therapy is right for you.

There is SO much more to a person than what we see. Actions, behavior, and appearances are just the very tip of the iceberg in terms of what a person has felt, experienced, and believes. Always seek to understand before jumping to conclusions, giving advice, or writing someone off. The pursuit of a person is so much more valuable than having the answers or being right.