Human beings constantly transform their identities and histories by projecting themselves into and out of the world of things ... . Objects matter because they are a part of us—we imprint objects and they imprint us materially, emotionally and memorially.
--Margaret Gibson, Objects of the Dead
Last month I completed the Psychosynthesis Basic Foundations Course. The intensive seminar was a good review of my knowledge of psychosynthesis, the setting was beautiful, and the people—both attendees and teachers—were talented and fun. Today I received a certificate for completing the Course.
Over the years, I have collected many, many certificates for all sorts of trainings and programs. I will especially value this one because it represents an effort I will not soon forget.
The several days of the seminar were long, typically from 8:30 AM until 9 PM. And I rode BART to and from the setting for another hour and one-half each way. The daily drill: Up in the morning at 5, return to my sister's home at night well after 10, fall asleep, then up again about six hours later.
On the first morning, BART stopped under the San Francisco Bay due to an undiagnosed mechanical problem. The car began to smell like rubber or brakes, and fill with smoke. In order to find the problem, the BART personnel turned off the lights and the air
Eventually we were on our way again. However, I arrived at the first session of my class late and somewhat unnerved.
At the end of several long days, the class was over; it turned out to be well worth the marathon physical effort. Because of the circumstances, this certificate that arrived today will always give me memories that are tinged with a mission-accomplished, atta-girl, who-needs-sleep-when-you're-learning spirit. This addition to my certificate cache means more because of what I endured in its earning.
I am going to hang this certificate in my office where I can view it if I ever am tempted to crawl under the covers and rest too long in bed.
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