Preconceived Notions and Emotions

                When I first found out I would be spending a week staying in a psych clinic, I was a little apprehensive. Okay....I was a lot apprehensive. In my mind, psych clinics were all white walls and unstable people who were limited in their opportunities to grow. And to try to imagine myself living in that environment was a lot for me to attempt to comprehend. Despite these concerns, my week at the psych clinic taught me how to keep an open mind. The beautiful outdoor campus with various renovated old buildings and beautiful pathways and gardens was a wonderful place to live. I spent my days observing and understanding how these people lived and worked in such a supportive and healthy community. They were (for the most part) free to walk about and live their lives just as I do. The music therapist I observed was there to support them and give them encouragement and healing in whatever area they needed while they attempted to either learn or re-learn what it means to be independent. Being independent is a part of life that we take for granted every day. Up until the last week, I had forgotten what a blessing it is to be able to operate by your own terms and take pride in what you do. If these people can re-discover and uncover what it means to live life on their own terms, I can surely live mine the same way.