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What I Did for Myself in 2014

by Jon Plotner

It was my gift to myself for the new year. I’d been wanting it for a long time. I’d talked about it with my closest friends for over a year. But I failed to take the leap, spend the money, and just do it. But when Christmas came and went and 2014 arrived without this particular gift under my tree, I decided it was time to make the big plunge. I bought myself … an appointment with a counselor. You didn’t just read that wrong, and autocorrect didn’t make a mistake. I finally did it. I went to see a counselor.

Many of you may wonder why this is a big deal and why I’m choosing to write about it. You see, I was involved in ministry whereby counseling was viewed negatively. Oh, there was no written stance against counseling; it was just the innuendos and comments that were made if someone went to a counselor. This was so ingrained to the extent that if you chose the wrong person, including one of secular origin, you were likely to obtain a demon. (I was already accused of having one of those so I don’t know what I really feared.)

So I did it. I went. And it has been one of the best decisions of my life. More about that later.

Written By Jon Plotner

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8 Comments

  1. Carl Adams
    Carl Adams on February 15, 2014 at 12:00 AM

    Jon,

    I’m happy for you and hope this is a healing time! Not just the counseling but that you now feel the freedom to see a counselor.

    Makes me frustrated / angry that you would have been been judged for that previously. Ridiculous how judgmental some believers can be.

    Blessings to you, Jon.

  2. Jon Plotner
    Jon Plotner on February 15, 2014 at 12:10 AM

    Thanks, Carl. Healing and freedom is a very good thing!

  3. Lynne B. Scherschel
    Lynne B. Scherschel on February 16, 2014 at 5:31 PM

    Personally and professionally I support and encourage you. I wish you much insight, behavior change where needed, and healing! May God give you and your therapist great wisdom.

  4. Kathy
    Kathy on February 18, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    Wow!, I’m impressed.

  5. Heather Sharp
    Heather Sharp on February 21, 2014 at 3:09 PM

    So proud of you and happy for you! Love working alongside you, Jon. I look forward to years of friendship ahead!

  6. Jayme, The CoopKeeper
    Jayme, The CoopKeeper on February 23, 2014 at 8:47 PM

    Jon! Guess what? I did too – it’s amazing having a ‘neutral’ sounding board. Yay for us – and ya – I haven’t told, like a soul. Why do we put ourselves in such a ‘I care so much about what you think’ box? Well, I do care what YOU think…;-)

  7. Jon Plotner
    Jon Plotner on February 23, 2014 at 8:50 PM

    @Jayme — I am so happy for you! It’s amazing how “putting it out there” has started quite a bit of interesting dialogue.
    And since you care what I think . . . I think that I’m incredibly proud of you for caring for yourself! Way to go, friend! 🙂

  8. Jon Plotner
    Jon Plotner on February 23, 2014 at 8:51 PM

    I look forward to many years as well, Heather! And it’s great working alongside you also!