Lost Opportunity

As soon as I sneezed, I knew something was wrong. Looking at the droplets on my palm, I recalled today's NY Times article with chagrin. It recommends you cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your bare hands to prevent the transmission of viral disease.

This was yet another instance where habit overcame knowledge.

How many times have I struggled to change a habit, only to find that I slipped into it without thinking? How many times have I thought, "I know I shouldn't be doing this," and then do it anyway?

It took years - not days/weeks/months - to change physical habits such as biting my nails and it's taken me even longer to change my attitude and behaviors.

Along the way, I've developed forgiveness for myself and compassion for others. We are only human, as the saying goes, and therefore apt to make mistakes and repeat them despite their negative consequences.

But human also means changeable, which gives us much hope. Nothing is permanent, not even viruses.

It's time to wash my hands and try again.

Therapy in Modern Times

Have you every thought of entering therapy? If not, you're behind the times.

Therapy used to be the property of the rich and famous, e.g. Woody Allen's decade long psychoanalysis. Freud remains undeniably the best-known practitioner of therapy, with images of the silent male therapist sitting behind the patient, as she lay on the couch confiding her dreams and free associations.

There have been major changes since the days of Freud and his students. More people participate in therapy for shorter periods of time, even for single sessions; research into the effectiveness of various types of therapy has debunked old myths about the origins of emotional problems; and therapists and their work have become open to scrutiny and higher standards of accountability.

No longer will you be asked to attend therapy for an indeterminate period of time, several times a week, and "trust" the therapist to "know what's best" for you. This paternal attitude has, thank g-d, passed away with Freud.

But this leaves greater responsibility on you to determine what works and what doesn't.

Therapy has become the modus vivendi for the American public. One columnist - Bob Herbert of the NY Times - even recommends therapy for the entire government!

Therapy cannot solve all of our problems. For the individual seeking growth and change, however, it can be a good start.