1. One client sat and explained her favourite painting to me, which truly blew my mind. The image depicted a man holding a woman who hung from a cliff. The woman wondered why the man wasn't pulling her up, while the man wondered why she didn't use the nearby stones to climb.
Both were unaware that a snake prevented the woman from using the stones, and the man was trapped under a crushing stone, injured and bleeding. The painting's moral is that we often jump to conclusions based on what we see, but do we truly perceive what is happening or only what is shown to us?
Understanding perspective and empathy through a simple painting is a lesson I always remember.
2. Another client shared her perspective on birthdays. While it is great to wish someone on their birthday and make them feel special, she suggested also wishing their parents, as the child's birth is owed to them.
Particularly, she emphasised acknowledging the mother's endurance of pain, which is worth mentioning on that special day. Since then, I make it a point to wish my mom on my own birthday.
3. Another explained her approach to parenting. She emphasised the importance of occasionally revealing one's human side as a parent. Instead of always being expected to respond or make decisions, parents should show their children that they too have bad days.
For instance, if a parent is having a rough day, they can openly communicate it to their kids and suggest doing things a little differently. This way, children witness another aspect of their parent's life. It's essential, however, to ensure that children are grown up a bit to understand the distinction better This perspective on parenting is truly intriguing.
Therapy is not a place where the therapist knows it all. It’s a safe space where both the therapist and the client progress and learn different perspectives.
What are the things you have learnt from someone which stayed with you? Drop in the comments below that learning.
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