Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store

Active | Unanswered

Chaska, Minnesota
Posts: 2,897

Michelle Helen Mar 14, 2007

Hello Teddy Bear Friends: There is a wonderful psychotherapist named Milton Erickson. In my profession, he is a noted, well respected in the field. Many years ago I heard about his work with an elderly lady. It is a famous story of how he helped her. I found many write ups on it and kind of edited it the story. I don't know exactly who wrote this up but it is inspirational:

"Milton Erickson was asked one time, to call on a friends maiden aunt, who was financially secure, but had no friends, or close relatives. She lived in Philadelphia, alone, and was essentially waiting to die. He asked him to visit his aunt if he ever spoke in her city. The aunt had become increasingly depressed and now was reclusive. She no longer went to church or spoke to anyone. When Erickson was in her city, he visited her in her home and asked if she would guide him around. Slowly, she led him from room to room. In one of the rooms, he noticed three well cared for African violets. Each was a different color and next to them was an empty pot in which she was clearly going to propagate another plant. This lady was a talented horticulturist, and Erickson told her he knew these were delicate plants and easily destroyed by the slightest neglect. He said he wanted to prescribe something for her, but before he did so, he wanted her word that she would fill it. She agreed to do it.

He told her to purchase pots and transplant leaves to grow more violets. When she had an adequate supply he wanted her to put one in a gift pot and send one to every baby born to a member of her church. Then, to every member of her church who was hospitalized. She kept her promise and this act moved her beyond despair.

Now we don’t know why this lady complied with Milton's suggestion. We don’t know exactly how Erikson framed it to her. But we do know that when she died ten years later, she was known as the "Violet Lady" of Philadelphia and over 5,000 people attended her funeral.

It doesn’t take much to do 'great things' in this world.

It does take a dedication, to do whatever it is that you have chosen, and it takes an awareness, to recognize how you are affecting people around you.

Some people have the dedication, and no awareness. They antagonize others.

Some people have the awareness, and no dedication. They are wannabes.

Some people have both, and they are, or become well known, and they do not feel compelled to tell everyone, because their satisfaction isn’t derived from without."