The "Path" Session Log
Session #5: Patient [XXXXXXXX XXXXX]
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Psychologist
Nice to see you.
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[XXXXXXXX]
Same for you.
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Psychologist
How have you been feeling?
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[XXXXXXXX]
For the most part fine.
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Psychologist
For the most part?
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[XXXXXXXX]
Yes.
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Psychologist
So is something bothering you then? It doesn't matter how small.
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[XXXXXXXX]
Well, I'm not really sure how to say this, but it's been something I've been grappling with. Ever since coming out of that coma.
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Psychologist
Okay, I'd love to hear it.
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[XXXXXXXX]
I miss being in that dream. Weirdly enough. It was beautiful there. While the storm was definitely scary, a lot of it was just...I don't know. Peaceful. Natural. But that's not even the part that I miss the most.
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Psychologist
What would that be?
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[XXXXXXXX]
In the dream, from the moment I...well woke up...inside of it, I knew exactly what i had to do. I didn't know what would be waiting for me at the end, but I knew where I needed to go and what I had to do to get there. There was a very clear, literal path that I followed to get to that storm.
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Psychologist
Ah, I think you have told me about this path you followed. Why do you think you miss this more than anything?
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[XXXXXXXX]
I think it was about purpose. Direction, maybe. My time since coming out has been so much less clear in the direction I'm supposed to go in my life. Like, for example, right now I'm working through all my school work. And, don't get me wrong, I feel way better about actually doing my work now than before the coma, but a lot of time it is still difficult for me. I think a lot of this is I just don't see my path.
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Psychologist
Okay, I see what you're saying. I mean, everything you're saying makes complete sense. You had a clear goal in the dream, and now outside of it, your goal has become a lot murkier.
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People are purpose-driven machines. We need a purpose to do anything. Large or small. For some that purpose is so clear to them, it is inescapable. For others, purpose is more murky, lost. But I believe purpose is something to discover, and when the time you comes you will know your purpose.
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For now, though, it is important you think smaller.
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[XXXXXXXX]
What do you mean?
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Psychologist
Ask yourself this. Why are you doing your school work?
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[XXXXXXXX]
I don't know.
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Psychologist
Not true. You're doing it to catch up in classes so you can graduate high school.
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[XXXXXXXX]
Yeah but, I don't know what I'll do after that.
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Psychologist
That's okay, you'll figure that out when you get there. The key for you, before you discover your ultimate purpose, is small steps. Only see five feet in front of you for now, because if you think too far ahead it will paralyze you. One foot in front of the other.
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[XXXXXXXX]
Huh. Okay. I can try that.
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Can I ask you something then?
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Psychologist
Shoot.
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[XXXXXXXX]
Have you found your purpose?
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Psychologist
...yes.To help people like you, discover their purpose in the real world.
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[XXXXXXXX]
Why do you do it?
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Psychologist
Well, that's a different story. I'll just say, I know what it is like to watch the ones I care about robbed of their purpose far too soon. I know what it is like for people to lose themselves on the path. And I will never let that happen, ever again, to anyone. If I can help it.
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[XXXXXXXX]
That's noble.
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Psychologist
I think so.
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Time's up.
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