I can see clearly now
For some reason I routinely find myself humming, or singing the one verse I know, of I Can See Clearly Now or whatever that song is actually titled. It's odd since it's not only not a song I particularly like, but it's not a song I've actually heard other than me singing it for probably decades. It must be the catchiest thing ever to still have me singing it.
Something struck me the other day as I sang the few lines of lyrics I actually know from it:
I can see clearly now
The rain is gone.
I can see all the obstacles
In my way.
I would describe the style and feel of this song as being rather optimistic, I think that's what it was meant to be. And yet look at what this narrator chooses to say in his optimism. He does not choose to have no obstacles at all. He's content to be able to see all the obstacles in his way.
That struck me as a rather enlightened way of thinking. Too many people in life expect to be able to remove all the complications from their life. This narrator simply wishes for the ability to see them clearly. We know that some obstacles can be easily avoided that way. But some will still remain right there in your way. But wouldn't we rather be picking our way around the mountain we saw ahead than slamming into things in the dark we can't see?
I think therapy, for me, was about this. It was not about removing the obstacles in my life. It was about learning to be able to see them, shining light on all the processes in my brain until I could tell you what sort of things I get stuck on. I could see them coming, and if not avert the crash, at least brace myself for the least amount if impact. I bow down to the humble wisdom of Jimmy Cliff, or whoever it is that wrote that song.
Assuming that the rest of the lyrics don't contradict this verse.
Something struck me the other day as I sang the few lines of lyrics I actually know from it:
I can see clearly now
The rain is gone.
I can see all the obstacles
In my way.
I would describe the style and feel of this song as being rather optimistic, I think that's what it was meant to be. And yet look at what this narrator chooses to say in his optimism. He does not choose to have no obstacles at all. He's content to be able to see all the obstacles in his way.
That struck me as a rather enlightened way of thinking. Too many people in life expect to be able to remove all the complications from their life. This narrator simply wishes for the ability to see them clearly. We know that some obstacles can be easily avoided that way. But some will still remain right there in your way. But wouldn't we rather be picking our way around the mountain we saw ahead than slamming into things in the dark we can't see?
I think therapy, for me, was about this. It was not about removing the obstacles in my life. It was about learning to be able to see them, shining light on all the processes in my brain until I could tell you what sort of things I get stuck on. I could see them coming, and if not avert the crash, at least brace myself for the least amount if impact. I bow down to the humble wisdom of Jimmy Cliff, or whoever it is that wrote that song.
Assuming that the rest of the lyrics don't contradict this verse.