From Elation to Deflation: The Life Cycle of an initiative

And so I track a plan from its conception on Saturday, to the point where the wind is taken out of the sails on Monday.

While puttering around looking for a personal therapist, I somehow discovered that all mental health counselors in one local health plan, are MSW's. Previously, I'd had the misconception that you really need a PhD to practice clinical therapy. It seems that a Master's will suffice just fine, and provide for similar income, and outcome.

Really, I am interested in practicing the alternatives of Feng Shui design and Hypnotherapy, and, I resolve to do so, whether or not I become a conventional therapist as well. It's easy. I already use and live Feng Shui. I just need to learn in detail, about the art, and then can help others as I have helped myself; changing lives through changing homes.

Hypnosis has been a long term interest and I use it on myself effectively. All I have to do is learn some great induction techniques, and I can help others build confidence and break down barriers that are keeping them back.


So, anyway: back to the story.

However I found the Bachelor's in Applied Behavioral Sciences degree at the local community college, I got very excited about the prospect of quickly finishing my undergrad and getting an undergrad. I'd already enrolled in the college, perhaps only to study for the field of Dental Assistance/ Hygiene. (Another dubious delusion.)

I even went, after work, to a 24 hour grocery store in the wee hours, to purchase a ream of paper on which to print application materials.

I got some CLEP study materials, realizing that I have a year of college and can probably equivocate another year with testing. Thus, making short work of the Baccalaureate, and getting on to the Master's program. (I feel becoming a shrink is more in the self-discovery and development of jumping through the hoops, than the actual education absorbed.)

I began to hash out an essay describing my interest in the program, and it sounded pretty good.

I requested a transcript from Umass Boston, and alerted everyone of my intents to further my education.

Than, Monday morning, I called them to ask about the transferability of transcripts from another community college within the system, and if I had to get them mailed. I was transferred to the department head who, asked if I'd an AAS in the field and advised me that one is required before proceeding further.

It seemed to be a self-contained program from what I read, but perhaps I failed to read enough.

Anyway, this reality check was the moment; and this is especially for my own reference; when interest in this plan starts to be lost.

This is the cycle of how my dreams are lifted, then rerouted.

The truth is, this doesn't make the picture all that different at all. The extra step of obtaining the AAS is no problem, part of the originally expected course of study anyway, and an extra benchmark to show prospective employers along the way.

However, this type of thing does change the strategy and the mind set of the whole animal. Now, it becomes a study about whether it would be best to just go to a four year school for the undergrad. Or whether just to pursue my main dreams of acting and writing, and be true to myself and my inner artist, and have faith in writing a great novel or script, going to the right audition and landing the right part, or going through the comedy circuit starting with open mic's and building up.

It is for this reason that I didn't want to take a long path to go somewhere I don't necessarily want to end up. For, if I take a long path at all, I might as well take the ideal one through art or theater school, learn my craft, build my portfolio, and audition my ass off. All the other dreams are probably dillusions.

It was clear for a minute that I am perhaps cut out for social work and have the right background and interests that would make me a great therapist, but it does kind've bring me back to the same place. The cross roads where I must decide where to go with my life. Perhaps one could choose the best of both worlds: a BA at a hippy-dippy art school in performing arts, topped by an MSW. That is a distinct possibility, if it would satisfy the admission requirements of the social work program. It probably would, even if the graduate school is also of the hippy-dippy variety. Once pinned on the wall, I think all MSW educations are created equal.

So that was the plan and how it evaporated in one weekend. Time to redraft. It is not necessarilly a bad thing. Just a reality check, and a chance to check in with inner self.


They say there are no short cuts in life. They must've not been kidding. One can get excited by the fast lane options, but that road probably won't be all that fast.