Desiderata

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peacethere may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietlyand clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourselfwith others,you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greaterand lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as wellas your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickeryBut let this not blind you to whatvirtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridityand disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield...
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Muddy boots

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Finding strength I didn't know I had Fresh air and exercise is good for us, of course. Like many, I enjoy scenery and sunshine if possible. Health issues have made exercise more challenging in recent years and I'm trying my best to stick with it and make improvements. Aching I was aching, tired and looking at the rather steep incline ahead of me feeling increasingly despondent and dreading the struggle I knew it would be. I felt my pace slow and my steps become smaller. Somewhere within I was convincing myself this was good for my physical and mental health, reminding myself I'll be glad I've done this later. Really, all I wanted to do was stop and huff and puff a bit with my hands on my hips. Woe is me Suddenly as I was slipping into "woe is me" I realised I was actually slipping into the hillside, fast.With each step my feet were sinking quickly into a boggy mess that had been...
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Midlife, it’s time.

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armour could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to...
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Be a lady, they said. By Camille Rainville

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Be a lady they said. Your skirt is too short. Your shirt is too low. Your pants are too tight. Don’t show so much skin. Don’t show your thighs. Don’t show your breasts. Don’t show your midriff. Don’t show your cleavage. Don’t show your underwear. Don’t show your shoulders. Cover up. Leave something to the imagination. Dress modestly. Don’t be a temptress. Men can’t control themselves. Men have needs. You look frumpy. Loosen up. Show some skin. Look sexy. Look hot. Don’t be so provocative. You’re asking for it. Wear black. Wear heels. You’re too dressed up. You’re too dressed down. Don’t wear those sweatpants; you look like you’ve let yourself go. Be a lady they said. Don’t be too fat. Don’t be too thin. Don’t be too large. Don’t be too small. Eat up. Slim down. Stop eating so much. Don’t eat too fast. Order a salad. Don’t eat carbs. Skip dessert. You need to lose weight. Fit into that dress....
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Nothing blossoms all the time

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Nothing in nature blossoms all year - so why do you think you ought to? I read something recently that pointed the above fact out to me. I sat with this a while and realised, whilst there are 'evergreen' plants nothing to my knowledge at least, flowers all the time, continually. In that regard I suppose we could say, it is not natural to be blooming all the time. As in, we do not see it in nature. My word though, do we seem to hold ourselves to that standard. We have to be on point, get everything done, be successful, meet deadlines, exercise, hydrate, sleep, have a social life, connect with others, do our housework and iron our clothes - ok maybe not iron. But you see my point here. Bloom all the time?! I simply can't, nor do I have the energy or desire to try. Human first. I say this a lot. Always human first.We succeed at times, we make epic mistakes...
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Reflection and journals

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Today's addition to my journal :A piece by Mother TeresaAn albanian- Indian nun1910-1997 I often journal my thoughts, reflections or things I've read that have resonated with me. Today it is this.So, in short ... Forgive anywayBe kind anywaySucceed anywayBe honest and frank anywayBuild anywayBe happy anywayDo good anywayGive the world the best you've got anywayIt was never between you and them anyway. The photo is of my journal where I've written this out in full. (Complete with an error!) Reflecting is an important part of being a therapist and supervisor. Inspiration, ideas, thought process, drawings and doodles, wise words from another, realisations, fears, achievements and more can all be recorded or perhaps unpacked in journals. Free writing or free scribbles can unlock, reveal or remind us of so much. Reading back through our journals we can often follow our journey, see our progress, recognise themes or be simply reminded of things we'd forgotten.Sometimes this can help us prepare for supervision or support our own therapy. The...
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When someone falls apart by John Roedel

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
when somebody falls apart don’t try to put them backtogether in your image in fact, don’t try andto reassemble them at all that’s not your job instead - lay on the ground with themand scoop as many of their brokenpieces into your hands as you can and every now and then whisper tothose pieces: “This is not forever.” that’s your job - John Roedel Image credit unknown...
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Processing Baggage?

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
When you see yourself on zoom and realise you might look more EasyJet vibe than the therapist in Autumn vibe you had anticipated!I suppose both process baggage?! I suppose the reality here is I care less what someone looks like (myself included) and I am more interested in if they show up, like, really show up. Show up Working online now for nearly 6 years, (yes it is that long since the pandemic arrived) I have probably seen most things when people turn their cameras on. Toast stuck in your hair - Make up running down your face - your favourite dressing gown - your work top with joggers - pets, children, post deliveries ... Be ready to process the baggage I really don't mind what I see when you log in ( no nudity please, that really is a line!) I mind that you logged in. I mind a lot that even on what might be the most difficult day, or when you have had...
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Human First

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
*Deep breath* My hard learning this week ... I am part of a wonderful trio of super-supervisors. We are women who meet monthly for a few hours of peer supervision. Between us we have decades of experience both as #therapists and #supervisors. We are knowledgeable, self aware, hard working, compassionate and funny. We hold each other accountable, we cheer each other on, we lean into the difficult conversations and we sit together to find ways forward in the 'what do I do' moments. We are grateful for each other and appreciate the input we offer as the years of experience offer fruitful guidance and knowledge. Want to know what else we are??#HumanFirst! Human-ness I often say, before we are anything we are human first. By that I mean we are impacted just like the rest of the humans on earth, by our experiences, we have emotions, we have struggles and joys. Just because we are a therapist or supervisor, it doesn't mean we are not human. In fact,...
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