Art, Dance, Poetry & Writing

How Humility Will Make You the Greatest Person Ever

I value few human characteristics more than humility in myself and others. Humility is the foundation of all genuinely remarkable human characteristics. If you cannot accept how great and awful you can be, how can you receive or offer help?
Many years ago, I heard a friend discussing his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. He quoted his sponsor speaking on humility, "When I was new, I really needed humility. Today, I actually want humility." This speaks to the core importance and value of humility in life. When we experience humility, we know how amazing and beautiful we can be. We are also aware of how dark and self-centered we can be. We recognize that they are all part of being human. ...

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You’re Basically Good — The Benefits of Contemplative Psychotherapy

You’re Basically Good — The Benefits of Contemplative Psychotherapy - Providence Holistic Counseling Services

You're basically good. This perspective is often left out of modern Western counseling, therapy, and life coaching. Here in the West, the typical approach focuses on what is wrong with you and what needs to be "fixed". The counselor, therapist, or life coach gets paid as long as you are "sick" or "need" them to function in the world. This is not my approach to working with clients. I assume you're basically good. You have what you need inside you to be successful in life and relationships. You know what you need.  You have as much strength, courage, wisdom, and love as necessary to enjoy your work, family, friends, relationships, and the world around you. I see my role as the facilitator in helping you bring these qualities to the surface so you can be a productive member of society and achieve what you came here to do in this life.

Although the practices described in the article below are not exactly what I do, there are many similarities, and the concepts feel like they come from the same place. I hope you enjoy reading this piece. I think it is fascinating and inspiring. How about you?

You’re Basically Good — The Benefits of Contemplative Psychotherapy - Providence Holistic Counseling Services

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Spiritual Bypassing, Relationships and The Shadow

Providence Holistic Counseling Services - Rumi - Change - Portrait of a boy with the map of the world painted on his face.
I first started becoming aware of spiritual bypassing a few years ago. My eyes opened wide as I was reading the page in front of me. "A spiritual bypass or spiritual bypassing is a "tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks" John Welwood & Tina Fossella. This was it! This was the thing I had been aware of for years in myself and others that I had not known what it was or how to describe it! I was so excited that there really was such a "thing," and it had a name. I have cut out parts of the article below, but most of the content on spiritual bypassing is included.
Spiritual Bypassing, Relationships and The Shadow - Providence Holistic Counseling Services...

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It’s Never Too Late To Be Amazing

It's Never Too Late To Be Amazing - Providence Holistic Counseling Services
Never too late. At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA. At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job. At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer. At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school. At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare. At age 28, Wayne Coyne (from The Flaming Lips) was a fry cook. At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter. At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker. At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home-dad working odd jobs. Julia Child ...

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Surrender

Surrender - Providence Holistic Counseling Services -Surrender-Rumi- woman Yoga Grass
Surrender. Is there a scarier or more freeing word than surrender? Surrender. I invite you to sit with this word and let it move around in your mind and belly. What does surrender bring up for you? Panic? Fear? Humiliation? Joy? Victory? Success? Freedom? Release?...

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The Invisible White Rabbit – A Parable in Determination

Wake Poetry - Providence Holistic Counseling Services
The Invisible White Rabbit - A Parable in Determination is based on a story by Edward Hays. I think The Invisible White Rabbit is an excellent source of inspiration and wisdom for those trying to forge a spiritual journey. We all know this journey takes incredible determination and perseverance. Many New Age books make it sound easy with their claims of "Five Easy Steps Towards Enlightenment", but anyone who has done any deep spiritual work is acutely aware that it is not easy or fast. But how do we stay on the path with life's challenges and surprises?...

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Do Something Good For Someone Else, and Don’t Get Caught – Kindness

13 Ways Gratitude Will Significantly Improve Your Life | Psychology Today - Providence Holistic Counseling Services
Kindness. Many years ago, a friend looked me in the eye and said, "If you want humility, and you really need it, do something good for someone else and don't get caught". My immediate thought was to punch him in the mouth; fortunately, I chose to just shut up and be angry. Do something good for someone else, and don't get caught. This phrase haunted me. I could not understand why you would want to do something good for somebody else and not get credit any for it. What was the point? What would I get out of it? How would they know I did it? The little I did not understand this spiritual truth. ...

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