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The Contemplative Pilgrim's avatar

Excellent essay, Barry. I find that the most difficult aspect in assisting clients to make progress in therapy is the task of being responsible for one’s own emotions. The belief that outside events control our feelings is endemic but accepting responsibility is freeing. Thank you.

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Refenestrated's avatar

Unfortunately when this feeling comes up while I’m in the office, I have to suppress it to maintain professionalism and really just to continue functioning in that environment. The frustrating thing is, later in the evening when I’m home and in a position to pay attention to it and try to feel and process it, it often won’t show itself, and I’m left with a feeling that I can only describe as the emotional equivalent of an aborted sneeze.

Someday I hope to have myself figured out. There are

days when I feel like that’s within my grasp, and others when it feels like I’m trying to solve the old text-based Zork computer game without the map or the InvisiClues booklet.

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