Over Christmas, I received two fantastic books. I have ploughed my way through one and am currently aiming to finish the second by the weekend.
The Year of The Locust, is a sequel to I Am Pilgrim. The author, Terry Hayes, takes us on a fast paced adventure ride through the heady world of espionage.
Words like ‘rollercoaster’ are an often used cliché for such literature. In this case, it hits the nail on the head. And no, I’m not on commission!
So, what has this got to do with us? Good question. Well, books allow us an escape from some of the unpleasantness of the news which currently surrounds us. They give us a place where we can create our own world. Our own ‘safe space.’
Sometimes we may find we’ve been a recipient of transference when we engage with a client. In short, we need some time out before the next appointment. Well, a book provides the perfect way to unwind. A place we can escape into.
Of course, it’s not always that easy. If someone’s stress bucket levels are really high then the idea of ‘reading to relax’ will seem a very alien concept. To be able to read, we need to be in a ‘rest and digest’ state of mind.
In other words, we need to be in a calm way of thinking. And that means reducing our stress levels.
Listening to our relaxation CDs is a good way to do so. Going for a run. Talking with our supervisor. Going on holiday. Taking a break. Listen to music. Meditation. It might be a lengthy list of things we can do for ourselves to help to ‘lighten the load.’
Picking up a book – for enjoyment!
Once our stress levels have reduced to a suitable point then we can go further and pick up that all important book.
And it doesn’t have to be fiction. You might want to learn more about psychotherapy (there are plenty of books written by industry leaders which can really enhance your skillset).
Where fiction can trump factual accounts is in its ability for us to utilise our imagination. It’s where our intellectual brains can garner the power of the primitive brain and start to paint our own image of what a place looks like. What it feels like.
And, of course, in doing so, we might experience a primitive brain reaction. Our heart rate quickens. We might notice we are sweating. Breathing rate starts to increase. Pages are quickly turned. A page turner!
And all because the hero of the story is facing a bit of jeopardy. It’s not real but try telling the primitive brain that!
The protagonist often has to be calm in difficult situations and needs to think in a solution focused manner. It’s how books can help us to approach things in a different way.
In other words, books give us ideas and they allow us to relax. They help us to escape from the world around us where we can occupy a place of safety and comfort.
They use metaphors to explain complex ideas and concepts. They allow us to expand our mindset and our experience.
No Ordinary Life
And the second book? It’s simply entitled No Ordinary Life (Peter Stokes). The author’s father’s wartime experiences only came to light following his death in 1986.
Over a period of years, the family were able to use a personal journal to chart his journey through the Badlands of World War Two. It was first published in 2013 and continues to sell well.
Again, what relevance to our work? Well, in our profession we often hear people’s experiences of life. Sometimes, these can be unpleasant and upsetting for someone to re-live – and retell.
Equally, other clients may tell us stories of joy. Of Love. Of Happiness. Thoughts and feelings which they haven’t had a chance to ever share with anyone. Until they walk into our practice rooms.
In these instances, we are truly privileged to have garnered so much trust and respect from a client that they are happy to share deeply personal events from their own past.
Reading true life accounts can provide us with an enhanced insight into the workings of a person’s mind – allowing us to learn what makes people tick.
It provides us with a chance to understand why people sometimes react in certain ways. What causes them to have a trigger response to certain situations.
Bibliographies allow us to empathise and experience emotion. For most practitioners, empathy is something which will come naturally to them. Afterall, why would you be a therapist if you didn’t have a natural aptitude for the job?
Books: positive action. Positive interaction. Positive thinking.
That said, it’s good to keep our empathic abilities at the sharp end of the spectrum so they are not ‘dulled’ by our day to day interactions.
Books allow us to do just that. They feed our intellectual needs to learn while satisfying our emotional requirements. All at the same time. How amazing is that?!
And, of course, we can gain sustenance for the soul with the reading of poetry. A quick 30 second delve into an alternate world where we can clean our palette before we venture into a new meeting.
It’s a good ice breaker. Clients may enjoy reading themselves. Equally, they might notice a book and take an interest in what you’re reading. Positive interaction. Positive thinking. Positive action.
As we head into 2024, it’s worth remembering that we can put our busy and hectic lives on hold for a few minutes each day. We can spend a bit of ‘me time’ engaged feverously reading a thriller. Or a romance novel. Or a piece of poetry.
It’ll help to calm our own minds and provide us with a harmonious balance that allows us to work in the best way for ourselves – and our clients.
I’m not saying we should be looking to start a Book Club but I am suggesting that books can be a good way to unwind a bit during a lunchbreak.
And now, back to page 333 of The Year of The Locust which is where the hero… Well, I’ll leave it there as I certainly don’t want to spoil it for you.
