Dialectics and Perspective – Words of Wisdom From our Founder + Executive Director
As we embrace the fall season with the change of the leaves, I can’t help but feel a bit of sadness seeing summer go. It’s fascinating how that sense of duality reflects our emotional landscape, isn’t it?
At the heart of our programs is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which emphasizes the idea that opposing views can coexist. Developed by Marsha Linehan, DBT is a powerful tool for navigating the complexities of our emotions and relationships. It encourages us to explore the “both/and” mindset, helping us recognize that situations are often more nuanced than they appear.
Fostering dialectics can be as “simple” as changing just a single word in a sentence. For example, using “and” instead of “but.” This shift can be really difficult because it forces us to go against what we are used to and break the cycle of needing to view everything as black and white. Exploring the gray area in our lives can be so freeing and allow us to put that critical lense away for a little while. Of course, it’s easier said than done! Practicing these skills and seeing things from a new perspective can cause us to simultaneously feel uncomfortableandempowered, or even tiredandenergized! How’s that for a dialectic?
Personally, embracing dialectics has been a pivotal part of my mental wellness journey, allowing me to approach my own emotions with curiosity and openness. It also helps me to better understand my fellow humans and deeply empathize with them in ways I didn’t know were possible. With that, I wish you all a month filled with perspective, acceptance, and grace.