Counselor-to-be.

Uh...
I just tagged my post "inspirational" when I'm currently "inspiration-less".
Oh well whatever.

It's funny how I kept on telling my friends this:

When others tell you their problems, don't just hear them out.
Listen them instead.
Feel with them.
Empathize them.
Help them only if you have the ability to help them, aside from being a listener.

It is normal that their problems and emotions will affect you.
However, as selfish and heartless it may sound, always remember that the problem is theirs and not your own.
Never take the emotions and problems back with you, and make them your burden.
Because those are theirs from the start, not yours.

Little did I learn that...
I did not acquire those words that I had said.

Little did I realize that...
it applies to myself as a friend, family member, and future counselor-to-be.

I kept asking myself for the past year,
why was I the one who always got hurt when the initial problem wasn't mine?

A bold answer would be:
because I wasn't selfish enough, that I allowed myself to be hurt.

As I read the few journals regarding the connection between a counselor's philosophy towards ethics and other aspects such as religioun, society, culture or even themselves, I wasn't surprised how all of these shaped a counselors philosophy in counseling. However, what taunted me was the need to follow the rules in ethics in counseling that in many cases affects a counselor's professionalism as well as the role as a counselor. Irony, no?

Years ago, I made up my mind I wanted to be a counselor without learning what is a counselor and the real responsibilities or roles to be played. Of course, I wouldn't say I knew everything at this point after pursuing Psychology as my degree and gained experience as a client. Even though my initial view of a "counselor" was different from what it really is, it had never changed my ambition to be one.

I still remember how others would comment me when I said I wanted to be a psychologist (specifically, counseling others). Most would say it does not suit me, because I am an emotional person - I follow my heart rather than my head. I did not deny that fact. However, I believe that it takes emotions to understand others, make others feel that I sincerely understand and feel them instead of just nodding for the sake of gaining belongingness or trust. It serve as my biggest weakness, yet it is my largest strength.

I don't aim to be a well known person, I just want to be a person that strangers can count on.
A counselor to my future clients.

-Jas-