“When the student is ready, the teacher arrives”
Looking back at the events of 2013, I am grateful for the kick I received on my work front. At that time, I didn’t feel this way. I felt angry, hurt, used and resentful. I doubted my ability and was very unsure of myself.
But then, the universe knew I was ready for the next level of growth. And for something new to enter your life, something old has to make way. I am so glad I didn’t resist the events and went with the flow. Despite my uncertainty and anger.
I had quit working as a counselling psychologist as I felt stifled at my work place. Once I quit, I had no access to my counselling clients and they didn’t have access to me. It was like a complete disconnect from my profession.
I felt like a child who was lost in a crowd and felt a desperate need to find some hand to hold on to. Like it happens in life sometimes, I didn’t find that hand.
I agonised for months and soon I realised it wouldn’t help me. I decided to find a space I could use for consultations with clients. But I couldn’t afford to rent space in a business centre. I approached a Dr in my neighbourhood and asked if I could use his clinic when he was working at the hospital in the day time. He agreed. I felt hugely relieved and saw a sliver of hope. I began private practise. Days would pass with no earning. Such situations actually offer a gift – in the form of an opportunity. And I could choose. I could choose to dig deep within and try to overcome the challenge and grow. Or surrender to the despair and become cynical.
Having a mentor for myself was a great help. I poured out my hurt feelings to my mentor. And did so for a few sessions. The intense emotions began to ebb. Ever so slowly, clients began to find their way to me. And after one year, I felt confident enough to take up an office space so I could work longer hours. And one client at a time, my practise was built. Over the years, struggles started to ease and with consistent efforts and patience, my practice started giving satisfactory results.
Today, looking back at the journey over the last decade, it has taught me so much professionally, made me push my personal limits and helped me grow several times over.
Had I not quit when I did, I might just have been working in the same role till today and missed the bus to self growth and self belief.
God has a plan for me. And that’s all I need to know! 🙏🏼