I can understand my clients when they come to me with struggles in life. I know what it feels like to be pushed in a specific direction by our parents and other adults.
We are expected to follow the same path they have taken. But sometimes, we have to break away from that to find our happiness. That can be terrifying and overwhelming, but it’s worth it in the end.
A recent client consultation has brought up issues I can personally relate to. The client’s mother dictated most aspects of her life, including which educational path she should take.
While the mother’s intentions were likely good, this ultimately led to the client feeling frustrated and mistrustful of others. The client in question has artistic and creative leanings, but her mother forced her down the academic path.
As a result, she feels like a round peg fit into a square hole – a life of frustration. It, in turn, has caused a multitude of other issues.
Thanks to my therapy, she could work through her issues with her mother, putting all the frustration and mistrust behind her. I was also able to help her deal with other issues and come to terms with them.
Life at the Farm
I was brought up on a farm. It was a fact that when I left school, I came and worked on the farm; there was no argument about it. Not being academically motivated, this was what I did. It was back in the early 1950s.
Back then, work required hard manual labor and was much more physically demanding than it is now. I could cope with the demands, though I cannot say I was happy.
It created resentment and frustration. I cannot blame my father for his actions; he did what he thought was best.
My client cannot blame her mother either; she did what she thought was best. What we need to do is set ourselves free from the frustration and resentment of these situations.
Many of the experiences we have in life are things we never wanted or asked for; in many cases, they are not even true. We need to set ourselves free and play the game of life.
Breaking Free
Several years ago, I took a course called the “Inner Game.” This particular one was oriented towards snow skiing, but the techniques used can be applied to other sports and life.
Our teacher was an American who had trained many top athletes in his career. One fascinating thing about our instructor was his life experience.
He grew up in one of the rougher areas of New York, and he said he had to be tough to survive. He was tough—to break free, though, he created his environment in a way where no one could get at him. He was essentially ‘trapped in a cage,’ but he felt safe.
It’s important to remember that life is a journey of ups and downs. Though it can be challenging, staying positive and moving forward is important.
After all, life is a game and is meant to be enjoyed! The key is to focus on the positive aspects of life, even when things are tough.
By doing so, you’ll be able to maintain your sense of joy and keep moving forward toward your goals. Life may not always be easy, but it’s always worth living. So stay positive, enjoy the journey, and make the most of every day!