Part XIII: Solace
"How's the relationship with your boys?" The Lifestyle Therapist asked.
"Good." He replied, but then thought of a better response. "I mean. Better!" He concluded.
"That's good" She soothed.
"The oldest one hates reading but he loves music - and of course, girls! The youngest, wants me to go ice-skating with him." He smiled.
"Watch out you don't break your neck with just one arm!" She warned with a smile.
He laughed. "Well, I'm sure Doctor Lee could fix it. You would definitely tinker with my mind to make it seem, "not so bad"!" They both laughed.
He got serious a little.
"My ex smiled at me with her eyes." He said with pride. "It's been a long time since I have seen that."
She sent him a caring smile.
It just takes time.
He had been apprehensive to attend therapy sessions at first.
The whole concept of, "lifestyle", seemed... ridiculous?
He was brought up to be a good person and to work hard - to be a productive citizen.
The first sessions involved a lot of light discussions. More like idle chit chat. The "get to know you" phase.
He had avoided this time of "time wasting" during his lifetime.
He knew that all he had to do was put his head down, work hard, and everything would work out fine.
But at about the 4th session, he started to wonder, why he did the things that he did.
Everything was not fine.
His marriage was over - he hadn't learnt to adjust to his partner's change in life view.
He had consoled himself to the fact that it wasn't his fault. She was the one changing. So, it had been her fault. Right. Right?
His 2 boys always just gave him the standard minimal response. That was just kids. Right?
He had been stuck in the same role at work for years. But that was loyalty. Right?
The sessions were making him ask the simplest of questions.
Why did he do, what he did. Why? Why!?
The physical sessions were also more than just physical sessions.
Stretching. How much he thought stretching is what elite athletes or old Chinese people did.
It felt foolish at first. But now he could touch his toes. He stood up straighter.
Diet.
He was having some meals with ONLY vegetables.
Vegetables were like a garnish in the past.
He ate healthy - but, now he was following a diet that aimed at the maximum return in nutrients and minerals.
He felt better. He looked better.
He was doing better with one arm tied behind his back, and;
He pooped better.