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Psychotherapy
in San Rafael / Marin Michael Skrodzki, MA.MFT
(415) 488 9836
psychotherapymarin.com
in San Rafael / Marin Michael Skrodzki, MA.MFT
(415) 488 9836
psychotherapymarin.com
THE JOURNEY
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice -
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations -
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late enough
and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do -
determined to save
the only life you could save.
(Mary Oliver, 1986)
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice -
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations -
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late enough
and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do -
determined to save
the only life you could save.
(Mary Oliver, 1986)
If you are about to begin psychotherapy, you are in good company, heeding the ancient piece of advice given to seekers at Apollo's Temple in Delphi:
"Know Thyself".
No matter what brings you to the office:
anxiety, depression, relationship problems,
self-esteem issues, grief, anger, guilt, or simply the desire to find out more
about yourself,
this could be the beginning
of the journey,
the poem speaks of.
Psychotherapy can become the safe vehicle
for this journey,
and your therapist,
the reliable, skillful guide
and companion on the path, who will help you
find your own true voice.
"Know Thyself".
No matter what brings you to the office:
anxiety, depression, relationship problems,
self-esteem issues, grief, anger, guilt, or simply the desire to find out more
about yourself,
this could be the beginning
of the journey,
the poem speaks of.
Psychotherapy can become the safe vehicle
for this journey,
and your therapist,
the reliable, skillful guide
and companion on the path, who will help you
find your own true voice.
