awareness By Monique Lang

Recently I spent a few days in a forest reserve. 

On good days this was the cold water pressure available to us. 
Those days felt luxurious compared to the days when there were just drips. 
On good days we could also flush the toilets...others, we used water gathered in rain buckets. Luckily, it was the rainy season, so lots of that. 

It reminded me how much I take my comfort for granted. It is not a given for most of the world's population.

I also realized how I am so often unaware of my privilege. 

I invite you this week to join me in an awareness of all that we take for granted... until we don't have it.

KIndness is my religion. HH the Dalai Lama
Be kind to yourself and others. 

About Monique Lang:  Originally trained in psychoanalysis and Gestalt, I am certified in Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Resource Model and Past Life Regression. I am certified in both Reiki and Shamanic practices and ceremonies. In addition, I have been a student of Meditation for over 20 years.   Although I recently moved from New York City to Syracuse (upstate NY), I was born in France, grew up in Central America and have lived in many different states and countries. 

Although moving around was difficult at the time, it allowed me to experience different cultures, ethnic backgrounds and spiritual orientations. This understanding is helpful in my work with my clients as it enables me to understand and put into context each person’s particular background and way of viewing the world.   

Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I was an editor and a security analyst for a financial institution, a translator, an office manager for a community action group and program director in a community center where I developed several programs. These varied experiences have given me a wider lens to understand and connect with my clients. In addition to providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples, I co- leading trips to South America to connect with and learn from Indigenous healers and wise elders, run a variety of workshops, teach clinicians how to use a multi-modal approach in their practices and help individuals and organizations in program visioning and development.   

Monique's website: http://www.moniquelanglcsw.com