My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wash those negative self thoughts away.

I think many would agree, seventh grade for a young girl can be challenging.  Today a young client came in and she shared that she sat alone at lunch.  Breaks my heart.  It makes me want to return to school just to be friendly to all.  Anyway, after a hard lunch of sitting alone - AGAIN.  She wrote on her hand .. u r not cool.  She came in and told me this was on her hand.  We talked about the hurt of sitting alone at lunch and then the added pain of being so mean to herself and writing negative messages on her hand about herself.  Ouch!  So, I pulled out three choices of soap for her to choose from ... different fun scents - cherry, strawberry, and apple!  She chose cherries.  I then invited her to go wash her hand off.  Get rid of that negative message about herself.  We then played some pretty music and I shared some positive qualities I saw in her and then said - its even more powerful when we feel and recognize our own strengths.  She wrote something else on her hand.  I love horses.  Simple but a good start in seeing her inner strengths, likes, and uniqueness.  We pulled out a page that we labeled Celebrating ___________ (her name).  I invited her to have this list be to 25 positives by next week. She smiled her beautiful smile as she left. 

I savored this experience. 

8 comments:

Erin J said...

What a beautiful story! I love it when you wear your therapist hat here on your blog, because you invite us, your readers, to do these little activities along with you. Today was really rough for me, and to read this gentle story was so sweet and soothing. Thanks for sharing. :)

Just Jess for now said...

I loved that story as well. How creative to think to get her to pick from different fun scents. Love it as always. :)

Elle J said...

You are so good for her. Praying that others in Middle School dealing with the same feelings find someone like you to trust and learn from. Thank you for being there for even just ONE.

Infrequent Flyers said...

How great that you had fun soaps for her to pick from. My high schooler has the same struggles. Learning to be okay by yourself is such an important lesson to learn, took me a long time to get it myself. Not beating myself up--that one is still a work in progress for me!

Anonymous said...

7th grade really can be torture for them. My daughter is in 7th this year & it's been a tough year. Your so awesome to take the time & really care like you do.

Karen said...

Loved you blog message. Good for all and made me think and start to write my 25 positives.

Love you

Pamela and John said...

Becky, you are such an amazing therapist. Such a sweet story.

Kauaiart said...

Good therapy for All of us. . .who struggle. Thanks for changing the lives of All you touch. Love, Suzy