Above and beyond

I received the most amazing email right after Thanksgiving and I had to share it below. I was so touched that a person who I had not spoken to in over 5 years went out of their way to thank me for the lasting impact that therapy had on them. Seriously, I had not heard from this person in FIVE YEARS and they took the time to just show gratitude. It made me feel amazing and proud. It made me think of some of the people who helped me at times in my life when I felt out of control or hopeless. And it makes me wonder...when is the last time you thanked someone, just because?

Edited to protect privacy 
Hi Kelly,  
I don't know if you remember me, but I was a patient of yours a few years back. One of my supervisors referred me to EAP, and that's how I met you and began going to weekly sessions. I tried talking to someone before, but I didn't really connect with them. I remember feeling uncomfortable about going to see you at first, because I thought going to therapy would mean I was weak. I needed some convincing about how getting counseling would help me. But over time with our weekly sessions, you taught me to develop some coping mechanisms to deal with stress. I wanted to thank you for giving me the support I needed all those years back.

I also wanted to thank you for introducing me to meditation. The first time you led me through a body scan, it produced an enormous feeling of calm within me for those few minutes, which made me realize how anxious I became in trying to meet the demands of [my job]. When I felt much better and left [that job], I stopped practicing. I recently took it up again and am trying to do it more regularly several times a week. I can't tell you how useful it has been in helping me deal with the stresses of work and life in general. There are so many apps and guided meditations available now and I'm always interested in how I can practice more mindfulness. I listen to a podcast about meditation called 10% Happier. When I'm feeling particularly agitated at work because of the actions of one of my colleagues, I take a few minutes during my lunch break to sit in a quiet corner and listen to a guided meditation. I even try to get a 5-10 minute session in if I happen to get to work early.
 
I finally realized how powerful the mind is, and how much influence your thoughts have on your mood and general outlook on life. I've learned that there are things you don't have control over, but you can always choose to practice gratitude or adopt a different mindset. It's not always easy to do so, but it can make a huge difference. If it weren't for you, I never would have considered giving meditation a try. Now, it's become such a huge component of my well-being that I don't know  how I could deal with the stresses of life without it. 

Thank you again for all of your help. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday.