Remotely

For y'all who don't understand Twitter, I sympathize. FaceBook is the last thing in the world I ever intend to take on. Of course, unlike the privacy-zapping, sophmoric FB (get the impression I'm really not down with it? Or is that up with it?), Twitter is a lively, friendly micro-blogging village (again, my bias...). It's how I chat with innumerable of my fave internet peeps simultaneously, about all topics, profound and banal. And we do it concisely. Really. It's an art form.

A few days ago, I had the best "tweetversation" with one of my fave internet pals, Bel, about Mad Men, of all things, a show that has recently and entirely roped me in. Blame the summer-season dearth of television...

Bel's been into it since the get-go but I just started buying the old episodes on iTunes. All was going well until idiotic Apple decided to raise the per-episode, standard definition, price from .99 to 2.49. WTF?! So now I rely on articles about the past seasons, and info from friends, to keep me abreast of plot elements from the past that relate to the current show.

I've seen enough of the old stuff to know that this season is veering, on all levels, into much grittier territory. Gone is the mid-century beauty in all things. In its stead, we see pop art and space-aged and the interference of fluorescent light. I mean, the set is so meh, it might as well be the 70s.

But that's not really where I'm going with this post.

Where I'm going is into reflection about the utter genius of Bel's insight. I mean, yes, we were talking about a TV show, but that woman - therapist by trade - sees subtext everywhere. By the time our little chat was done, I'd revisited my knowledge of the Electra complex, the notion of "self made" as an avoidance tactic and the Jungian principles of anima and animus.

It put me in mind of Bel's recent post on dream analysis, in which she described a dream of her own and welcomed feedback from readers who know her / the myriad details of her life. She also invited readers to describe their own recent dreams - to overwhelming response. What's most fascinating is that her gut, 2-sentence analysis was so true to so many readers, we could only gawk in awe.

To wit: I spoke about how my sleep had been incredibly dull lately and glibly suggested that, in one of my most recent dreams, I was so bored I sensed my psyche was begging me to wake up.

She responded (to the effect of ): "I interpret what your psyche is trying to tell you a more literally than you do."

And I just sat there with shivers considering my utter complexity.

In response to the incredible feedback on the dream post - and the terrific fun she had with it -she's just begun remote dream analysis coaching. How utterly modern-tech plus! While I haven't taken part yet, it is on my near-to-do list because I know it will be thought-provoking to life changing, depending on the day.

Different people look for different things from therapy. Some want a parent-figure, some a teacher. Some are looking for boot camp. Others want a virtual spa.

It recently occured to me: I'm seeking a spirit guide.

I've worked with many therapists over the years. I've contemplated my inner depth by talking, by changing behaviour, in movement, with lists. With two exceptions, I've always felt a fundamental lack of connection with those therapists. I functioned with one set of principles, in accordance with my own (frenetic) pace. They worked on another wavelength - one that - despite all good intentions - didn't tap into my "intenseness" (for want of a less preposterous word).

Feeling alone in therapy is not fun. Sensing that I'm there to be educated just irritates me.

Every conversation I've had with Bel - and they go back a few years now - has made me feel understood and acknowledged. Furthermore, she sees the encroachment of self-awareness as a totally cool adventure, meant to be shared and marveled at. Just look at her (tremendously honest) blog. She's not perched from above as you struggle in the regular domain.

Never mind fixing yourself. If you've got an emotional foundation, Bel will help you to build the house you want to live in. No renovation is out of scope.