By Jude Victor, Counsellor and Author
I feel psychology chose me, because if it weren’t for my personal study of psychology I would be insane – and I don’t have time for that because I have money to make. Studying psychology is simply killing two birds with one shot.
On a serious note, I find the mind to be the most complex and fascinating thing in the universe. My mind is absolutely enthralling and other people’s minds are interesting too.
On an even more serious note, I do actually want to see people overcome life’s suffering. I believe that suffering has a spiritual purpose – it is a reminder that we are capable of overcoming our physical and mortal boundaries through sheer spirit and soul. It is a reminder of our true nature.
I feel that my suffering, my short comings, my losses, only enrich my ability to assist others in overcoming their own battles. This is the meaning I have attributed to my own suffering; this is the purpose I have given to my life.
Why did I choose psychology you ask?
Viktor Frankl, a Jewish psychologist who survived the concentration camps greatly inspired my line of thought. Suffering is not necessary but it can serve a purpose in your life. He wrote– ‘A man’s search for meaning’ in 1946 which today is one of my favourite books. He created Logo therapy – a therapy based on the idea that all human beings can generate meaning in their lives – it’s not something to find but something to create and to cultivate. To quote Viktor Frankl, “Those who have a ‘why’ can bear almost any ‘how”.
Jordan Peterson, a modern psychologist wrote a book, ’12 Rules for Life’ in 2018 which discusses lobsters and cats. To quote – “And maybe, when you are going for a walk, and your head is spinning, a cat will show up, and maybe if you pay close enough attention, you will be reminded for just fifteen seconds, that the beauty of life will overcome the suffering that accompanies it.” – Jordan Petersons, 12 Rules for life.
I reference two greater psychologists to illustrate the point that I have been asking questions and looking for answers. How can we as humans, faced with life’s challenges make something of our lives? How is the best way to live? How do we make peace with our trauma, our mortality?
I do not have many answers, but I know I am asking the questions many dare not to think about to avoid the arduous burden of finding their answers. This is why I chose psychology, because it is a field dedicated to answering the hard questions.
To quote George Berkley, “What is the mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind.”
Psychology is a very young field – it’s around 150 years old. In relation to other fields such as science, psychology is very new to the scene of true academic study.
The last lobotomy was performed in 1967, which is the year my mother was born. I joke that my mom is old, but this is shockingly recent. It would be a pleasure to be apart of the fast evolving field of mental health, improving our modern day practices.
I want to go into psychology because I am passionate about improving my own life and others. I am passionate about the scientific approach of improving people’s lives and I want to play an active role in improving the science behind modern psychology.
“We are the miracles that God made
To taste the bitter fruit of time.
We are precious.
And one day our suffering
Will turn into the wonders of the Earth.” Ben Orki, An African Elegy, 1992
https://emotionalintelligencedeveloper.com
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360642157_An_African_Elegy_by_Ben_Okri
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