Photo by Moyan Brenn

By Jerrica Ching

Due to recently entering the world of full-time career work as a child and family therapist, I have found myself frequently overwhelmed with the frivolities of life.  Frivolities include but are not limited to, trying to remember to mail birthday cards on time to family in Hawaii, going to buy groceries but forgetting to buy the pasta sauce, not being able to find any spoons in the break room so I need to eat oatmeal with a fork, or waking up early on a Saturday morning believing it to be a Tuesday.

I am 99% sure that many of my fellow sisters writing for AAWOL have similar details percolating through their minds throughout the week, and I would like to share with you all a writing exercise that I have found success in therapy with clients, but also as a form of self-therapy on a regular basis.  I call this an “Exercise in Peace.”  You take on the persona of a future-self and write a letter to your present self, highlighting all of the accomplishments (aka things you are currently worried about) and efforts (aka things that were challenging but you still endured them) that you achieved.  This exercise is very positive, goal-oriented, and allows you to imagine yourself without all of your current stressors, reminding you that you can and you will get through these uncertain times.  Once you write (or type) out your letter, seal it in an envelope and open it a month from now.  I have read letters from my future-self with laughter, smiles, and sometimes even tears of joy.

The tears of joy come from understanding how much God continues to provide for me.  While doing this exercise I find it humbling and affirming to remember that no matter how hard I push myself, how organized I strive to be, or how many reminders I set on my phone to complete a task, God is the true backbone in all that I do.  My biggest takeaway from this is to recognize how much I am not in control of certain aspects of my life, but how awesome and wonderful God is and how He helps our lives thrive.

Please feel free to save this entry on your bookmarks bar, print it out and seal it up, or even write your own letter to your present self!  Read this letter again in exactly one month, and I truly hope that it brings you as much comfort and healing as it has for me.

Dear daughter of Christ,

                It is now August and summer is slowly winding down!  I am glad that throughout all of the festivities this summer – from fourth of July barbeques, to birthdays, outdoor adventures, family activities, opportunities for growth at home and at work, and any other fun and excitement – you were able to find the time to breathe in peace, tranquility, and calm.  You are incredibly hard working and I am happy to know that in the midst of all of this organized chaos, you took the time to thank God for your amazing life.  You took time to love God, love your family, love your friends, and also to love yourself.  You are awesome at what you do and your incredible ability to juggle so many schedules all at once!  I am so thankful however that you remembered to stop, take a breath, and just be still for a while, listening to God’s Word, and allowing God’s love to consume you.  I am glad that you were able to thank God not only in the joyous times of the summer, but also in the challenging times when things did not turn out the way you expected them to.  God always has incredible plans for you and I love that you were able to honor God constantly in all that you did this summer.  I am sure God will bring even more fantastic things into your life this fall!  Keep up the hard work!

From,

Yourself on July 14, 2015

Jerrica KF Ching lives in the beautiful state of Washington and works as a Mental Health Primary Care Provider serving children, adolescents, and their families at Columbia Wellness.  She graduated with an MA in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from George Fox University and is working towards becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist.