The title of this post came to me, earlier, when I was thinking of possible topics.
It relates to my experience as a therapist, as well as to my personal experience today.
Yesterday, somebody in a group therapy session thanked me for “inviting crying.” She noticed that I have, in my office, big boxes of fluffy tissues within sight and easy reach. (I sometime invite tears more blatantly, saying, “all your feelings are welcomed here.”)
Something else I invite? Take aways, at the end of an individual or group session. I often ask people to name something they want to remember — something they want to “stick” with them after they leave.
Today, I went to see a psychologist, who is a sleep specialist. (I mentioned this in this previous post, about sleep.) It was a very useful and helpful meeting.
I told her a lot, about my medical history, my sleep history, and my current sleep issues. She gave me a lot to think about.
Here is the Take Away that is sticking for me right now, out of many wonderful suggestions she made.
She suggested that I tell myself, before I fall asleep,
“You are not going to die, tonight, in your sleep.”
Her style was very matter of fact, and she spoke the language of data. She made an unemotional, convincing case for this.
And I knew that was my important take away, because once I really took that in and believed it ….
….. that’s when I needed her box of tissues.
As always, thanks for reading today.