Psychotherapist Scott Peck tells the...
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Psychotherapist Scott Peck tells the story of a young woman who was one of his patients. She suffered from acute depression and was not responding to the therapy he offered her. Peck was just about to admit that he could not help her when one day she bounced into his office excited and feeling good about herself.
Peck asked her to explain what had happened to her. She said her car was not working so that she asked her pastor if he could give her a ride. He said that he would be glad to, but first, he had to make a few hospital calls on the way. When they arrived at the hospital the pastor invited the young woman to come in with him. Further, he suggested that she might want to visit some of the patients too. She did talk to a couple of patients, and even prayed with them. She was astounded by the gratefulness of the patients for her showing simple concern. Serving others had really made her feel happy.
Dr. Peck commented to the young woman that now they both knew what she could do to overcome her depressed feelings. Her response was: "You don't expect me to do that every day, do you?"
She knew what to do to get rid of her depression, and to fill her life with joy, and yet she was not ready to do it. She had not yet captured the joy of genuine work enunciated by the inspired wisdom writer.
- Hasler
Peck asked her to explain what had happened to her. She said her car was not working so that she asked her pastor if he could give her a ride. He said that he would be glad to, but first, he had to make a few hospital calls on the way. When they arrived at the hospital the pastor invited the young woman to come in with him. Further, he suggested that she might want to visit some of the patients too. She did talk to a couple of patients, and even prayed with them. She was astounded by the gratefulness of the patients for her showing simple concern. Serving others had really made her feel happy.
Dr. Peck commented to the young woman that now they both knew what she could do to overcome her depressed feelings. Her response was: "You don't expect me to do that every day, do you?"
She knew what to do to get rid of her depression, and to fill her life with joy, and yet she was not ready to do it. She had not yet captured the joy of genuine work enunciated by the inspired wisdom writer.
- Hasler
