The Psychologist by Wayne Mansfield

Author:Wayne Mansfield [Mansfield, Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2019-01-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Dear Caleb,

Hi. I’m writing to you from the future. I’m going to tell you some things that will hopefully help you navigate the years ahead and help you to understand the years that have come before.

First of all, don’t listen to what other people say. When you get older, you’ll realise that being different is not a handicap, but an opportunity. Your difference can take you places where others are unable to go because they simply don’t have the skills or the imagination to get there. Perhaps that’s why they make your life hell. They know, or at least sense, that you’re cut out for something wonderful and they’re jealous. Look at how many famous actors and singers were picked on and bullied at school because they were different. They went on to become rich and famous and have lives that most of us can only dream about. I’m not saying you will be a famous actor or singer, but the point is, you can use your difference to do anything you put your mind to.

When things get rough at school, when the other kids are tormenting you, remind yourself of two things…

One, is that it’s not going to last forever. Bad days end. So do bad weeks and even bad years. The fact I’m writing to you from the future tells you that you survive.

The second thing is try not to take the awful things that people say on board. Deflect it. Water off a duck’s back. Most importantly, never start to believe what they tell you. You are a special person. You are not less than others. You are not less deserving. You are not inferior. What you are is unique.

Never lose faith. There have been tears and there’ll be many more, but if you know in your heart you are a good person, deserving of respect, if you never lose sight of that, you can get through the hard times knowing you’ll make it.

Hang in there. School is important, and when things get you down, I can recommend going to the beach, or going for a walk in the forest. I think you’ll enjoy those things. I do. And trust that life gets better.

Lots of love,

Caleb

* * * *

“That’s a beautiful letter,” said Richard.

Caleb noticed the psychologist’s eyes had misted over.

“How did you feel when you were writing it?”

“At first, I was more concerned with what I wanted to write. I sat at the table for ages, thinking about what I most wanted to tell myself. When I had a couple of ideas, I started writing.” Caleb paused. Tears threatened as he cast his mind back to the writing of the letter. “I cried a fair bit while I was writing it.”

“Why?”

“Not really because of the things I was writing, but because I…” He pondered the words to express exactly what he wanted to say. “I got upset because my younger self would never get to read that letter. Because I couldn’t go back and help myself.

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