The Irony of Being a Psychologist

I began to have an interest in Psychology when I was in my second year of Philosophical studies as a seminarian. It was triggered when the superior happened to have a graduate study abroad in this field of discipline. I have been wondering and having that feeling of awe when it comes to knowing what is in the mind of people and catching them through their behavior before they say something. This interest grew wider when I learned that through this field and if i could have the ability like a psychologist, I could help people heal their inner wounds. However, later did I know that through this I could learn more about myself.

When I left the seminary, my plan for studies was to enroll the course and pursue the study. As I learn more and have been acquiring a lot of ideas, information or knowledge, of which I hoped could be harnessed into wisdom, things were becoming more complicated than before.

Studying Psychology is not more of understanding others alone, but more of understanding first the self, so that understanding others is better achieved. It is very ironical sometimes, that professionals who were trained in this field, such as counselors, HRD staff in a company are very good in doing their job of helping others to know themselves; but pitiful that they can't solve their own problems. And I share similar situation.

It is very easy, especially if you know a little about observing, analyzing and even manipulating other individual's behavior, but it is very hard to apply it to the self. Why is it like that? Does this really mean that truly doctors cannot cure their own sickness?

On the contrary, optimistically, as I reflected on it, maybe this is God's way of telling me, "It is not good for man to be alone." Man needs someone other than himself. It simply means "No man is an island." For God created humans as unique persons but sociable beings who needs the love and affection of others.