We all have them :) I learn everyday how choices affect other people and circumstances. One thing that my internship drilled into me is that people have choices and make them. One thing that we drill into our kids--as parents, as therapists, as teachers--is that we all make choices, and the only thing we can control is our part. I've been thinking a lot about choices lately :)
One choice I made was to be a Christian. I re-choose it daily, maybe not every minute or even hour, some days, but I am constantly re-choosing to be a Christian and re-dedicate my life to God. Maybe a better wording is that I am constantly re-choosing to be a Christian, but that I make mistakes...hmm :)
Another choice I made was to marry Bryan, although we made that choice together. So glad we did!! It will be 7 years in August!!
A third choice I made was to be a therapist. I love it in so many ways. One way I love it is when my kids say, "Oh..." and finally get it for themselves and internalize it. I love when they switch from "Whatever Miss Kristi" to "Oh, if I do this, then I will do this..." and it's positive :)
Sometimes, we make choices and reevaluate them. Sometimes I become afraid and reevaluate being a therapist. Sometimes I wish I had a job that was like a formula (a+b=c) example: I do this, they do that, and we all get what we want. :) When I was a waitress, I brought food, they paid me and were full, I brought money home. :) When I was an instructor at the Y--although that was short-lived!!--I taught my class, they paid and received a service, I brought money home. As a therapist, just because I do my job right does not mean that my kids will do what they need to do. It ultimately comes down to choices.
Hmmm...God always gives perfect service and we do not always choose to follow HIM. Do you think He ever gets frustrated with us?
At any rate, I'm glad you chose to read my thoughts over the past week. If you know my number and want to hear the details, call me...it was a crazy week and involved several choices. I'll bullet point it. Kids made choices. Therapist got worried and dealt with feelings of disappointment. The therapist ultimately decided that she will have to constantly remind herself that she can only go so far but is doing the best she can. The therapist decided to focus on it in supervision. The therapist was glad for some clarity.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference :)
God's peace and love, K
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
6 comments:
Kristi, I loved reading this. It gives us all something to think about. See you soon!
This reminds me of the doctor-patient skit in the old Hee Haw show where the patient says, “Doctor, it hurts when I do this.” The remedy was always, “Well, don’t do that!” It was a variation of the same joke every week – and we always laughed.
Perhaps it was “funny” because we have all been known to make choices that bring pain. The remedy is “don’t do that” but we repeat and keep hurting. The calculation you mentioned (a – b = c) actually works. For example: Person’s life – destructive behavior = improved life. The problem is that we all have idiosyncrasies, habits, and proclivities that drive our thinking and our behavior. Dr. Phil’s “How’s that workin’ for ya?” makes for great TV entertainment but it’s not very compassionate and it doesn’t do much for changing people’s behavior. You just happen to have selected a profession that is more successful when you coach and motivate, rather than telling clients what to do. Helping them come to their own “Ahh-ha!” moment about changing their behavior is much more effective than telling them what they need to do.
I'm not telling you anything new. Your post just made me reflective about the whole idea of choosing. I just read Donald Miller’s book “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” and it was all about choosing to live a better story. I recommend it.
Thanks for writing! XO, mom
Thanks Mom, love you :)
Kristi, I think you are wise beyond your years! I can imagine you are the best counselor/therapist ever because of your compassion for others. Love you, dear girl! And I think I'll see you in April, right??? Whooppeee!
I was so glad when you started blogging again. I have enjoyed reading your blog!!
I am a school counselor and I can relate to your post. I get weary sometimes and wonder if I am really helping.
It the times like you described that keep me going.
Keep blogging!
Thanks!!
Post a Comment