If you are a Trekkie fan, you may recall the episode where Captain Kirk finds himself in an altered state of reality. In this moment he cry's out the most fundamental desire we all exhibited in this moment of realizing we are in deed mortal...."I want to live"

Because your job and certainly your profession does not define you, why then do we feel so empty when these aspects of our existence are disrupted? While working for some time with a client who experienced wicked change in their life, they asked me how do I carry on. I did not respond with the customary verbal diarrhea by saying what I do. Instead I asked them what difference would it make in their life if what they ‘HOPED FOR’ became real. This is an approached that I have learned from my studies in Solution Focused Brief Therapy with my instructor Elliotte Connie and his team of psychotherapists. I use any of the four aspects of the Diamond approach that helps my clients refocus on their needs and bring out a client’s past successes and the actions they took to sustain that life.

The conversation brought out how they tried to follow the socially expected track to success only to experience pain in their personal relationships and disappointment in their professional efforts even with two PhD’s, a slu of association awards and even request to consult for various interests. Once again instead of me expressing some cliche orchestrated by societies infinite means of dumbing us down, I probed further by asking how would they know they were on the right path? Who in their life that they trust would know they are indeed on the right path? How would they feel knowing they are making progress to a desired outcome from their efforts? The ability to bring out a person's past capabilities reminds them that they have the skills needed to rebuild their lives with those they love and care.

I listened to a mini documentation entitled, Dying Out of Sight: Hikikomori in an Aging Japan on NHK Japan Watch. The same concerns expressed some six thousand miles aware and a culture much different than the west's, expressed the same challenges in addressing life's changes.

Take note to the age of those that begin to doubt their usefulness in our societies. Most importantly connect the dots of how Japanese societies needs are like our own. We are all humans seeking to connect in safe, productive and meaningful ways.

Litmus test: Have you seen the increased numbers of suicide billboards up and down the eastern seaboard? It is a testament to the breaking down of our social fabric as humans seeking purpose!

"If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org."

Thank you for taking your time to read my article.


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