are you soaring yet?

​Look up in the sky on a clear day. If there is an eagle, falcon, or other large bird, you might just see them soaring. Wings out wide, catching warm air updrafts, called thermals. Aren’t they majestic?
          Ya know, you can soar like that also. Well, not just like these majestic birds, but in your own way. When people consider coming into therapy, they are stuck in some way. What they are doing isn’t working well, or even at all. In my new book, The Healing Journey: Overcoming Adversity on the Path to the Good Life, your therapist becomes your guide on your healing journey. They teach you just how to soar.
          “Jamey,” I greeted my next patient in the waiting room. “How are you doin’ today?” She preceded me down the hall to my office.
          “Hey, Doc. Today’s been a really good day.”
          Her appointment with me was just after her workday. I lit up with her good day observation.
          “That’s terrific!” I gushed. “You’ve been seeing me for a couple of months now. Look at you, using what you’ve learned. I’m proud of you.”
          “Ya know, I’ve figured out that focusing on what’s wrong is just going to prolong the stuckness. My good days are filled with what’s right.”
          “Wait a minute,” I puzzled. “Are you telling me that you are,” I paused for effect. “…soaring?”
          “Yep. That’s me. Not letting stuff get me down. Leaving the bad stuff behind. It feels,” Jamey corrected herself. “I mean, I feel fantastic.”
          “Okay, Jamey,” I collected my thoughts. “Tell me your words, behaviors, and actions that help you soar. Let’s pull it all together.”
          “Well, let’s see.” Jamey paused. I could see her wheels turning. “I think staying in the present is the foundation for soaring. You know, that mindfulness you go on about.” She giggled at my expense.
          “Point taken. What else?” In encouraged her to go on.
          “Well, being mindful on a daily basis helps my not sweat the small stuff, particularly realizing that, in the mindful moment, everything is small stuff.” I nodded agreement. “Oh, and that positive psychology stuff. When I was stuck, I was holding on to things I had no control over. Low self-esteem, low self-confidence, letting people take advantage of me, putting myself last. You know being stuck in all that goo really sucked.”
          “And now you are soaring?” I prompted.
          “Yep,” she bubbled, “and those little tricks you gave me are keeping me soaring” You know, what you call behavioral prescriptions.” She air-quoted me.
          “Oh. I have so many in my toolbox. Which one’s helped you the most?”
          “Let’s see,” she paused to gather her thoughts. “Well, the listing self-affirmations keeps me on track. Of course, the nightly journalling helps me wash away the debris of the day. Oh, and checking my posted gratitude list gives me a good perspective on each day.”
          Follow Jamey’s healing journey in my new book, The Healing Journey: Overcoming Adversity on the Path to the Good Life. Buy your copy on amazonbooks.com. Follow this link: https://a.co/d/0dxH5xOL.
Blessings, Dr. Jon

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