A thousand crises

We’ve dealt with thousands of crises before we’ve ever entered a therapy office. I first encountered this notion from therapist Mary Pipher. I believe it is a good reminder for both client in crisis, and for therapist. It is a good to have encouragement that we have, and will, meet challenge and difficulty on an ongoing basis, whether we feel up to it or not.

A remarkable part of meeting with fellow human beings is listening and learning about what they’ve dealt with in their lifetime right up to this very moment. I’m routinely impressed how others have endured any number of hardships, losses and traumas and yet what is demonstrated by most is the very human tendency to make life better, to seek health.

In times of uncertainty and instability I return to Pipher’s words as a very useful and personal meditation. It is useful to me in that it causes a pause and an awareness that my current state (whatever that may be) is not a ‘first rodeo.’ I’ve been ‘here’ before. I will be here again. And again. And it is in this repetitive nature of working with discomfort that an expansion occurs.

Another useful piece is from teacher, Pema Chödrön who has written that as human beings “we shouldn’t forget our low threshold for uncertainty and discomfort.” How often do I find my usual tendency is to get away from what I don’t like or find distasteful and to ‘hope’ for what I like and find pleasurable, all the while never slowing down enough to truly know the uncomfortable experience itself, the raw feelings themselves, or simply just stopping all together?

Today, may I pause and notice

Today, may I stop and notice the sky

Today, may I really see and appreciate my spouse

Today, may I hear my children’s voices and enjoy them

Today, may I taste what I eat

Today, may I feel the experiences of hot and cold

Today, may I find someone or something to place my gratitude