PSYCHOTHERAPYHELP NEWS
Published
by Paul J. Hannig, Ph.D.
You are
receiving this newsletter because of your interest in Dr. Paul's work or
your visit to PsychotherapyHELP. Enjoy!
"RITES OF PASSAGE"
Consider whatever you are going through, at this
moment, as part of your rites of passage to the next stage of your evolution
and development. There is nothing new under the sun and whatever you are going
through, your fellow humans have also gone through.
Some of you are being initiated into old age, middle-age, young adulthood,
adolescence and childhood. (Don't forget the rites of passage involved with
illness and death). Each six to 10 year period brings with it a new set of rites
of passage. These passages involve an initiation through formal and informal
rituals that signal the next step in your evolution. Some people are facing the
rites of passage that involve the experience and rituals of death. We all will
be faced with that reality. Consider what the rite of passage of death means to
you.
Some of you are experiencing the initiation into young adulthood (your 20's)
with the challenges of education, individuation and separation from adolescence
and family; sexuality, peer group bonding and deep exploration of the secular
world. Many things are not permanent here. This is a preparatory and rehearsal
stage for more real and permanent things later on. Build a strong foundation of
fun and enjoyment, while at the same time developing a finer capacity for
insight and judgment.
Those of you who were entering into your 30's, are faced with the
challenges and initiations into forms of life that require deeper intimacy with
the self, more real relationships, deeper feeling, the challenges of handling
pain and failure, plus many other issues. Are you feeling over the Hill?
Welcome to your 40's! A middle-age crisis is that point in time when
your body starts its possible struggle with aging. It is also a time of great
change and assessment of your past choices and successes. You have reached the
top of the mountain. Where do you go from here? You have achieved great things.
So, what's next? What new conquests and challenges await you? Remember, being
at the top of a mountain, also has the possibility of sliding down into an
avalanche.
Your 50's! You're basking in your successes and wondering if you can
maintain and sustain them. Wisdom is either present with you or it has avoided
you altogether. As usual, your past world has undergone direct confrontation
with the changes in life and the social world. Can you be flexible enough to
step up to the plate and go with the changes? You have strong likes and
dislikes and you are much clearer about your boundaries. But, they may not be
as solid as you would like. Rigidity and flexibility are two issues that you
have to deal with.
To be continued...
Warmest regards,
Dr. Paul