OS and Ethics

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

This discussion of ethics reminds me of a story I heard from a woman who was
a therapist and counselor.   A man came to her, saying he wanted some help to
make his business more successful.   She thought that sounded positive--then
she asked what his business was, and he said he was a drug dealer.

She asked for a couple of days to think this over, then met with him again
and told him she could not support his drug business, but she would be willing
to work with him to make his life more satisfying.   He agreed, and said that
one thing he wanted was to have a better relationship with his son, who lived
with his ex-wife.   Working with the therapist, he began going to his son's
Little League games.

In time, the team needed another coach, and the man volunteered.   He enjoyed
working with the boys, and soon began to feel that it was not right to go on
using drugs while coaching Little League, and over time was able to stop his
drug use.   With his new sense of confidence and the new contacts he now had in
the community, he eventually found a legitimate job, and stopped dealing
drugs.

I was particularly impressed, not only by this success story, but also by the
therapist's ability to be conscious of her own values and feelings, and set
clear boundaries for what work she would do.

Joelle

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