Reflecting back on the almost 43 years of life, I have come to realize that I have learned an immense amount of information in a very short period of time. I would say the last 5 years of my life have been a years of exponential learning at a rapid rate. And while there is nothing wrong with the amount or rate of learning, it has created a metaphorical stretch mark on my life and everyday habits. You know, like when a child is growing rapidly or when a pregnant woman's belly stretches so much that there are stretch marks everywhere to show the rapid growth. Sadly, stretch marks are usually not admired and often looked at as ugly.
Well...in my life, my metaphorical stretch marks, due to my rapid rate of learning, look like chaos. I have to constantly remind myself that there is indeed method in my madness and that I am actually living a life and not just waiting for a "new life" to start. I am finding new ways to manage myself and the everyday tests and difficulties of life. I have also managed to find new friends and some kind of new love that cannot be defined and yet is very tangible. Go figure!
Needless to say...I still don't know where to begin my new found ability to reflect due to the perks of being a counselor. I would say that the biggest perk of all is that I find a way to forgive myself everyday and begin again all in the name of new awareness and much needed and much wanted self reflection. And I guess that's not such a small feat after all. I mean how many people do you know that find ways to forgive themselves everyday for their mistakes and begin again, over and over and over again?!?
I am grateful for this path I have chosen to take. I am grateful to be a counselor and grateful that I use my skills to help others, including myself. I mean what kind of counselor would I be if I didn't take my own advice?!
