General Order No. 3 or…what/who is holding us back???
I remember my first therapy session like it was yesterday. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I was rushing over to the office after work, racing past people on Market Street like I was in the final lap at the Penn Relays. My mind was running its own race, perhaps swifter than my feet. Jesse Owens on the ground, Usain Bolt between the ears. How would this person be? Would they relate to me? Would I allow myself to be vulnerable? For some reason, the warm smile of the security guard as I signed in to get onto the elevator – handing me a tissue to wipe my sweaty brow -- is a picture I can recall clearly, even so many years later. When I signed out about one hour later, I felt lighter, more than satisfied. And I pondering more questions. Why haven’t I looked into these issues before? Did I not think I was able to do so? What held me back? Those questions began a journey I hold very sacred. A journey of family, of tradition, of values, and of culture. A culture I remember us discussing during one session – about holidays and what they’ve meant in the context of my family. Juneteenth came up. Well, I raised it. They were familiar, but I had to [...]
