Picture this… New York City, pre-COVID, my daughter and I had been mashing in as much of the Big Apple experience as we could. We had just finished racing through the Met. I was exhausted… my feet hurt and I was ready to find a subway and supper. Tasha, my daughter, says, “we are right by Central Park. C’mon mom, I want to show you something.” Off we went, but I was grumbling to myself. While I was stuck mid-grumble, she stopped, and quietly said, “Look.” In front of us was the John Lennon memorial, with a circle of people standing in a circle around it. It was obviously random people, as some would join the circle and one or two would drift away down the path. A man had a guitar, and there was singing. There was just this feeling of newness, and discovery, and reminding myself to stop and look around— to be present. I noticed an acorn by my feet, and I picked it up and put it in my pocket. I still have it and I have carried it with me ever since.

When I was creating this therapy practice, I was searching for the right name, and the right symbol. I looked through many different therapy sites, and honestly, some are depressing. As I thought about what I wanted my clients to feel, it was that same feeling i had in Central Park-

When people make a choice to attend therapy. I want them to feel renewed, to feel newness, to discover things about themselves, to be in awe of the magic and joy of life, to be reminded to be present.