iccp

The library is a resource for life and living with particular emphasis on the work of psychotherapy and counselling.

You will find articles, poems, thoughts and links that may help you get some insight, relief, open out some useful questions and thinking.

We will regularly update the content of the library and we hope you will visit often. We welcome suggestions and feedback. If you wish to leave a comment, feel free to do so.

Ger`s choice of seasonal poems……
The first poem by Mary Oliver moves me at this time of year as it has to do with death……the dying of the year in these dark short days around the Winter Solstice, I wonder a bit if we let ourselves go sufficiently into the darkness of these days, or take the time to rest and breathe out ..with the mania of preparing for the light of Christmas ,so taking a moment to reflect ,let go and muse ``when death comes……`` feels kindly and seasonal to me…….
The second poem … this one by Hafiz touches me deeply at present, as it speaks to the huge expectation and desire for love that seems to be at the heart of much of our yearning at Christmas. The presents in some small way representing our hopes to share love, and to be remembered and loved in return. It also, I think speaks to how we can be ``when we have not had a drink of love``……….and how the ardent desire and hope can turn sour for so many on Christmas, a painful time for many families when hope turns to despair and disappointment, when Santa does not come with what he should, when the presents are opened and what is left is trinkets and wrapper……….and the presence of ourselves to each other ……the real present we wanted, is finding it hard to shine and share love.
The punch line here is wonderful, ``all a sane man can do is offer love`` This takes it back to ourselves, Christmas can be filled with so much expectation, and the disappointment, but the only power we have is to be the love we want to receive, to focus on how much love we can give rather that how much we want to get can be empowering. Maybe we can start with ourselves ….how will we give ourselves love this Christmas ?? what present will we give ourselves? I mean by this how can we be compassionate towards ourselves, give ourselves quiet time, exercise, good food, rest, heart warming contact with others. Then how can we offer love to those around us ,these maybe presents, but they may also ,and perhaps more importantly be our presence , our smile, our hug, our kindness….
So even if the Climate change deal has fallen through for now, we can contribute to a climate change in our own home and village these days.
Seasonal greetings,Ger