Stephen J. Roberts Newsletter
Issue: # 12
February 2015
Many  ways  to  grow ...
emotionally, psychologically, professionally spiritually ... 
Why  Do  It  Alone?

 

Individual,Couples, Parenting, Family and Group  Offerings.

                     

Click Here to learn more about our offerings

 

Click here for my Website 

 

Monthly Mindfulness In Action Workshops! Click Here

 

                    
 Want to check out past newsletters? Click Here   

Click Here to learn more about training as a Gestalt Practitioner

      
                                       
Greetings!
 

Some years ago I visited the beautiful city of Lyon, France.  On my second day my wallet, ID, credit cards and cash were all stolen.  Interestingly, I was reading a book on Eastern spiritual practices and their influence on western Psychotherapy. I wrote in a journal, "the Buddha has picked my pocket and stolen my identity".  For two days, I felt uncertain, panicky and lost.  For the next eight days, I was liberated!

Self-Identity Theft

 

I often wondered in my pre-adolescent years what I would become when I grew up. An Olympic swimmer? A successful business man, a musician, a doctor?

 

There were times in my twenties when I just wanted to "be something ... anything" just so I could quiet the questioning in my mind. Many of us do not choose a vocation at a young age with a clear definitive path. Instead, for many of us, our paths are bestowed upon us, by the living of life itself.

 

Mid-life I had settled into the anxiety relieving knowing that I was a psychotherapist. I was lucky to have found my soul's purpose. Peace at last, eh? Maybe some.

 

Many of you may know about the almost imperceptible whisper deep down that says, "Really? This is it?"

 

The band, Snow Patrol, has a beautiful song out called, "This Isn't Everything You Are." Have I traded my ever-evolving spirit for the illusion of comfort? As I meet people in my practice it is so easy for me to see and experience all the different creative parts of a person. Can I also liberate all possibilities within myself, too?

 

I believe that any of us can be seduced by the premature clinging to any single identity during any time in our lives.

 

I have I have met the identity thief, and he is me. 

_______________________________________________________

As you walk through your next few weeks, keep an eye out for how you self-identify.. i.e  "Yes, I am a _____" and feel free to add "and so much more".  'Til next month - Steve