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To begin I would like to engage you in what Albert Einstein called “a thought experiment”: “The Best Event & Worst Event” [1] Dr. William Glasser, internationally known author, educator and counsellor, one of the most respected psychiatrists in the world, commented that “Everyone is a counsellor” - everyone helps other people by offering support and advice at various times. Often it is family or friends. The major difference between us and them is that we actively study how to do it. And so need to be, and should be, more skilled. This can be a frightening responsibility. [2] As you have probably noticed, our health care system is evolving rapidly to meet the changing needs of society. Because of our aging population and the escalating costs, there is an increasing emphasis on getting Canadians to take more responsibility for their own health, physical and mental. Research has shown for a number of years that 85% of Canadians who access our medical systems do so for what is termed “Lifestyle Diseases”. These are diseases caused by how we think and how we act. We shorten our life span directly by how we think, live, work, eat, drink, and play. There are over 300 identified “Life Style” diseases and the list keeps growing each year. These include: most heart diseases, most headaches, most skin conditions, most stomach ulcers, many allergies, insomnia, many types of cancer, type II diabetes, many types of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyralga, most obesity, most addictions and many types of asthma. [3] As we have evolved in affluence as a society, we are now addressing many of these diseases specifically. In so doing, we are recognizing the significant role that thinking has on our health. We have finally figured out that there is no mind–body connection. In fact, there is no separation; the mind and body are one system which must be treated together. However, treating the mind, one of the last undiscovered territories on earth, is costly both in terms of time and resources. This is aggravated by how little we really know about the brain, and how it works. We have tended to treated it from a “medical-model” perspective, by seeking out physical and pharmaceutical solutions to achieve mental health. As you probably know already from personal experience, our success rate is not impressive. I read just recently that there is a review being undertaken in the US by the APA – The American Psychiatric Association, to substantiate the purpose and value of every drug being prescribed. This is being done in order to clarify recurring claims that many have little, or no value, to patients in regaining their mental health, and that many APA members, are confused themselves about their value and effectiveness. The end result of this evolution is that, in the last number of years, the understaffed medical system, which is ill-prepared or trained to treat mental health issues, is increasingly pushing mental health service delivery, toward other segments of society. And thus, we have had a mushrooming of individuals in the community who are offering mental health counseling of various forms to wide sectors of our communities. We have also broadened our counseling terminology and language, so that it includes not just therapy, psychological services and counseling but also coaching, career counseling, peer helping, pastoral counseling, youth empowerment coaching, elder advocating, and the list goes on. As well, there has been a renewed recognition of other alternative mental health services such as: naturopathy, homoeopathy, acupuncture, yoga, tai-chi and similar health practices that can contribute to our mental well being. In fact, if you check the local newspaper, almost daily, there is a new community development project that involves, one or more people, in some form of a counselor role, - who are challenging and supporting others to restore their mental health in some new way. So the need for more and more counselors for an increasing variety of roles in our communities is what the future looks like. What is interesting too is that the scope of roles will broaden to include perspectives that we have not even imagined yet. [4] Last month, Catholic Family Services of Charlottetown held their 75th Anniversary Dinner and their guest speaker was Mr. Maurice LeBlanc of Family Services of Moncton. In his remarks reported in the Guardian, Mr. LeBlanc said something that I think was both profound and insightful. He stated that people don’t come to their services for counseling; he said they come for peace! I quote Mr. LeBlanc, “We have come to understand that for many of our clients, either individuals or families, are often coming seeking peace in one form or another.” He went on to add that, “For us, we have had a complete rethinking, how we are effectively brokers of peace for families and individuals…” This article caught my eye because it reflects my own learning as a psychologist with 20 years in private practice. People are indeed looking, not to be fixed, not to be happy or euphoric, but rather for “peace of mind”. And what I would add is that peace is ultimately, peace within ourselves and balance within ourselves about our past, our present and our future. [5] Have you noticed that when you go on a vacation, invariably you seek nature in some form? It can be the beach, the woods, the mountains, the sea or some combinations of these natural places. Nature is in balance and reminds us of our own balanced selves. So going on a vacation is actually a very similar journey to seeking counseling. Clients are looking to re-connect through you with what is already inside them – balance. Balance in science is often termed “symmetry” or “equilibrium”. Nobel Laureate Leon Lederman in his latest book “Symmetry and the Beautiful Universe.” states that symmetry pervades all of the sciences. He goes on to add that the most basic statements we can make about nature are based upon the law of symmetry or balance, “Symmetry has myriad incarnations in the innumerable patterns designed by nature. It is a key element, often the central or defining theme, in art, music, dance, poetry, or architecture. Symmetry permeates all of science, occupying a prominent place in chemistry, biology, physics, and astronomy. Symmetry pervades the inner world of the structure of matter, the outer world of the cosmos, and the abstract world of mathematics itself. The basic laws of physics, the most fundamental statements we can make about nature, are founded upon symmetry.” Pg. 13 Earlier, Albert Einstein proved that matter and energy are constant in the universe in his now famous equation E=MC2. In so doing he showed that our universe is in a constant state of perfect balance. Therefore, every relationship and event in our life must have both a negative and positive component to follow this natural law of symmetry. The law of symmetry demands that every experience have both a negative and positive impact - and in equal proportion to each other. And Brian Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, in his acclaimed best seller, “The Elegant Universe” reiterates the same point about symmetry’s part in every aspect of nature including human perception. Greene states, ”… nature treats every moment in time and every location in space identically – symmetrically – by ensuring that the same fundamental laws are in operation. … in the same manner that they affect art and music, such symmetries are deeply satisfying, they highlight an order and coherence in the workings of nature.”. Pg.169 Do you recall the Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It is about a man who believed that there was no upside to his current financial situation so he contemplates suicide. But the Grandly Organized Designer of this universal system, that many call GOD, intervenes and sends a reminder – an angel in training to get his wings named Clarence – someone not unlike yourselves - who helps George Bailey learn that there are two sides to every part of his life – there is pain for sure and there is an equal amount of pleasure. In so doing a renewed appreciation for every aspect of George’s life emerges - a realization of the perfect balance of his life - in which he realizes that every event in his past has served him. George becomes a wiser person. I met Lilly McNamara in Houston… [6] Our clients are part of a balanced universe and are seeking to discover their own peace, so what is our role in this journey? You have probably heard the saying. “You can’t give what you ain’t got!” – You can’t really love others until you love yourself first! I remember a street kid I met many years ago telling me that adults have a “credibility problem” with him. He said he remembered vividly his father sitting with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other telling him “not to do drugs!” In a sense, as professional helpers, we are all in this field so we can do our own stuff, resolve our own issues, and evolve our own selves. We attract the cliental that we need so we can learn to appreciate ourselves in new ways. And yet we risk our own credibility with our clients if we do not continually strive for and demonstrate to our clients our efforts to find the balance in our lives. We are genetically driven to evolve throughout our entire life – to try to revolve instead is to choose to recycle ourselves faster than nature intended. So being a professional helper is also an example of the law of balance and symmetry. On the one hand, we have the privilege and pleasure of observing individuals and families learn to appreciate themselves and each other. But on the other hand, we have the responsibility and pain of demonstrating every day that we are applying it personally and professionally. Our chosen profession demands that we continually seek out new ideas and techniques to add to our professional tool box. Our chosen profession demands that we continually seek to expand our own levels of self appreciation. Our chosen profession demands that we seek to continually uncover the balance and symmetry in our own lives. [7] In conclusion, professional helpers will be increasingly expected to understand the prevailing law of symmetry. Other sciences have proven it applies from the sub-atomic to the cosmological levels. Since we are within this range then it also applies to the human condition. In assisting others to discover the perfect balance that is in their lives we will be called upon to not only understand it but to recognize it in our own life. Remember your own life stories can often be the most powerful catalyst to your client’s evolutions. So, as “peace brokers”, our clients will be watching us. Because you see, don’t you, that our journey is the same as that of our client’s. As an elderly gentlemen once said to me, ”I’ve learned that if you want the rainbow, you need to honour the rain!” Thank You! 
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