EMDR Therapy In Denver, Colorado

The world lost a ridiculously brilliant mind in Stephen Hawking. Most people think about him and think physics, and stars, and the universe, and massive leaps in new knowing our universe. While all those things are true, one of his greatest teachings was the power of the human spirit and the psychology of the mind. And it is this teaching, through his own experience, that I would like to focus on, as it should not be wasted

“One has to have a positive attitude and must make the best of the situation that one finds oneself in; if one is physically disabled, one cannot afford to be psychologically disabled as well”

Stephen Hawking’s body was severely disabled by ALS, but his mind was still a bright star. He lived having to use his mind for everything- most importantly figuring out how to stay positive, have purpose and move forward when almost everything you have know about yourself has been taken. Through this he came to know the power of the mind and spirit and we see how a positive psychology about life can change the world.

“On the other hand, science is a very good area for disabled people because it goes on mainly in the mind. Of course, most kinds of experimental work are probably ruled out for most such people, but theoretical work is almost ideal. My disabilities have not been a significant handicap in my field, which is theoretical physics. Indeed, they have helped me in a way by shielding me from lecturing and administrative work that I would otherwise have been involved in.”

I so often hear clients say, “I am bored” or hear them talk about how they use social media to fill the “boredom.” But, it is critically important to remember that the mind is a creative space and when given freedom from distraction it can create never before known realities. Hence, Stephen Hawking. He is an example of how a quiet mind, with time to think can push beyond the barriers of current thought and create new ways of knowing. He came to view is disability at a gift, as it allowed him endless time to think and create and the world has changed for it. As I read about his gratitude for his ALS, I understood him to be saying that because he couldn’t be distracted by taking on too many activities and having time and space to think he was able to make great use of his mind that allowed him to explore new ideas and possibilities and to create some of the greatest advances in physics and understanding of our universe that our world has ever seen.

The value of quiet time in our mind is missing in our mindset today and it is stunting our growth, our happiness and our relationships. We seek the next quick distraction or unintentional perusing of social media, instead of leaning in to the discomfort of a quiet mind. It is only uncomfortable because it is not what we know and if we aren’t careful the next generation will never know it. We have to be intentional about creating space in our lives for our minds to breathe, to create, and to know life. This is the gift of Stephen Hawking.

I remember many years ago walking my dog in a park and meeting a lady who was a mother and we engaged in a friendly conversation. When she found out I was a psychologist and that I work with children, she asked, “What is the one recommendation you would give me as a parent?” And I said, “Give your children space for silence, give them down time, don’t over schedule them, because silence is where creativity grows, that is where self-confidence and knowing oneself grows, and that is where resilience grows.” She stopped in her tracks, I think I took her off guard with my response, but she thanked me, said, “WOW!” and noted the advice. Now as a parent, I renew my own advice, and struggle daily to find balance between the juggle of life, creating new experiences for my children to enhance their learning and to give them time in quiet to hear the thoughts in their mind. May we all have this time so that we can know our own potentialities and bring new gifts to humanity.

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