Here I go...

Hello world,

I'm an urban existentialist/christian/novice psychotherapist/mystic/reader/writer/and lover of all things stated above. Most of all, i'm a lover life itself.

I've been in graduate school for two years now, studying Clinical Psychology. Throughout my schooling, i've thrived on an ability to articulate my thoughts and beliefs in a sort of poetic fashion. I've been able to critique theories with eloquence, conviction, and most of all passion. My passion, however, has not been so much for knowledge, though at times is has been and at times still is. My passion, rather, has been for learning and growing in my ability to understand and identify the nuances within my own person, as well as coming to understand and know such things in others.

As i've begun training in empirical research, i've experienced somewhat of a disconnect from the successful student i've known myself to be. The long and the short of it is, I've learned that I really don't give a damn about conducting empirical research. What I do give a damn about, however, is voicing my thoughts, and determining whether or not they resonate with others, whether or not others find my thoughts helpful or illuminating.

Thus, i've started this blog. As a full time social worker, part time intern, and full time graduate student, who knows what kind of time i'll have to publish on this blog. But I am aiming to publish somewhat regularly in hopes to organize my thoughts, work on my writing, and determine whether the things I have to say mean a damn to anybody else in this world.

If this sounds interesting to you, I hope you'll stay tuned and offer feedback and insight along the way.

John Mallinen
existentialist/christian/novice psychotherapist/mystic/reader/writer/american.