In spring and summer 2017 I was going through the hardest time I had in my life so far. During the spring I was in my last semester of my clinical psychology degree. The fact that I was studying for my exams, meeting my classmates and family regularly was keeping me up. I think I would have fallen apart if I hadn’t been busy. Now I am going to share with you the biggest lesson I have had in my life till now – hoping that it will help you through your life journey in some way.
When I finished my degree in June, I was completely blank. I didn’t know what to do afterwards, how to keep myself busy. I was applying for jobs and keeping myself busy with family and friends. About two weeks after I completed my degree, a dear uncle called me and said that at his workplace they needed summer temps and that he had suggested my name to the boss. He told me that his boss might call me soon. Uncleji's work was not related to my degree. I was stunned. I didn’t understand what was the right thing for me to do. The boss called me and said that they wanted me to come for an interview. I was confused. I didn’t understand what was the right option for me at that moment – to have a summer break after six years of clinical psychology or starting to work two weeks after getting my degree.
Anyway, I got the job and started working there in the summer. During the low point in my life, it was such an assurance to work for someone, feel that I was contributing to something and meet beautiful colleagues every day. Along with this work I was applying for jobs related to my field without getting any response. In August, however, one friend of mine told me that at her workplace they had a 50% vacant position for some months as one of her colleagues were going to have parental leave. This vacant position was going to expand to 100% for some months in 2018. I asked the boss I was currently working for if I could work 40% there as long as I didn’t start working 100% as a psychologist. He agreed. Still I didn’t know if I was taking the right decision. I didn’t know anything about the workplace where my friend worked or if I maybe needed a break.
Furthermore, mom gave me a gift in September – she sponsored yoga education for me. She told me that yoga might be useful for the process I was going through. She gave me this gift one week before the yoga classes were going to start. Everything was going so fast, and I didn’t know if I was making the right decisions in such a hurry.
Now I am working 100% at the place where my friend is working. My temporary position in this workplace is soon over. This workplace has helped me grow a lot. I don’t think I will grow so much professionally in any other workplace compared to this one. We work in a way that fits a lot of the values I find in Sikhi. We practice equality – we see all our colleagues as equal – no matter what educational background they have. We also see our clients as equal by asking them what they need help with. We are not assuming what they need help with nor do we impose our agenda onto them. We try to make the therapist-client relationship as equal as possible. Many of my colleagues got to know the hard period I was going through, and I have received immense support and love from them. My supervisor has been like a mother at work. She has listened whenever I needed to talk to someone.
The last weekend of the yoga education is coming to a close. During this education I have connected to some beautiful, warm and inspiring souls. They have challenged me, made me grow and uplifted me. The supportive environment I have here has made it safe for me to show my pain. They have helped me through my pain with their hugs, love and care. Through the yoga education, and with support from family, I have travelled alone for the very first time this year. The travelling has given me a confidence in myself I didn’t have earlier.
Why am I telling this to you? Because looking back at everything I have learned to have faith, and how important that is. Whatever situation you find yourself in – however tough it might be – you will be taken care of. If you don’t know what to do, just have faith. Your faith will lead you to the solution. Your faith will help you through. The uncle who contacted me for the summer job, friend who contacted me for the psychologist job and the beautiful workplace I entered happened for my own good. So the lesson I have learned in life is to leave your doubts and have faith. I am currently applying for new jobs without putting any stress on myself. I have faith. Guru Ji is arranging all my affairs.
I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone – the new ones who crossed my life during this period and the old ones who gave me their love and affection. I am so grateful. Thank you. I love you all.
