This too shall pass

Did a bit of counselling with a relative who is advanced in age and feeling lonely and distressed when his wife is hospitalised.

Sometimes when counselling people especially adults, the things I say occasionally bounce back into my consciousness as if an inner voice tells me I should respond to those words at my own personal level as well. So for instance when I asked my relative to recall a past worry that turned out to be totally unnecessary, an inner voice seemed to remind myself of the very same follies I made. Also when he called God a fake for not answering his prayers, I challenged him whether the things he prayed for were really the best solutions. This in turn makes me ask myself how certain I can be that the things I quietly wish for are really in my best interest too.

Then there is " The Story of My Life " which everyone has one and which can be so real and painful for each Ego that writes it. The stubbornly held beliefs, perceptions and memories, the unrelenting habitual emotions that may seem so blatantly logical to abandon; and yet so difficult to do so. I wonder how I would react when put to similar test and whether constant awareness and disciplined rational thinking can override emotional distress.

Witnessing the exhibit of deep hurt reminds me that endurance is so often called for in life.I got him to hold his palm over the pain he felt in his heart and I noticed the constriction eventually subsided for he suddenly began to engage me in mundane conversation.

I then make it a point to remember that no matter how difficult a situation " This too shall pass".