Many programs, coaches, and resources focus on bringing awareness to our lives, which is undeniably important. However, awareness is only the first step on the path to healing, it merely illuminates the road ahead.
Awareness is like shining a light on a problem, but healing is the process of resolving that problem at its core. True healing requires us to delve deeper, uncovering the roots of our patterns and addressing the wounds beneath. Without this understanding, we may find ourselves only managing or coping with our present triggers, rather than addressing the original wounds that created them.
AWARENESS
Awareness often comes with a certain level of discomfort or pain, as it can bring to the surface emotions or memories we've been avoiding.
For example:
For someone with anxiety, becoming aware of their thought patterns and triggers can be unsettling. It may bring up feelings of fear or unease as they confront the underlying causes of their anxiety.
Similarly, someone recovering from trauma may find that increased awareness of their trauma responses brings up painful memories or emotions. This can be a challenging but necessary step in the healing process.
In relationships, becoming aware of unhealthy patterns or dynamics can be uncomfortable. It may require confronting difficult truths about us or our partners, but it's essential for creating healthier, more fulfilling connections.
In a professional setting, becoming aware of limiting beliefs or behaviors that have held us back can be exasperating. It may require us to step out of our comfort zone and take action to change these patterns.
Even in more seemingly benign situations, such as becoming aware of procrastination habits, there can be discomfort. It may force us to confront our own resistance to change and take steps to overcome it.
How do we become more self-aware and begin to shine a light on our issues?
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to observe them without judgment and eventually change your relationship to them.
Journaling: Writing about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can help you process them and gain clarity on underlying issues.
HEALING
Healing, then, involves not just being aware and acknowledging these feelings but actively working through them to achieve resolution and peace. It's like tending to a garden; merely recognizing the weeds is not enough to make the garden flourish. One must diligently pull out the roots, nourish the soil, and plant new seeds. Have you ever pulled a weed, only to find that the top part comes out, leaving the root intact? It can be frustrating, knowing that the weed will soon resurface, and your garden will look unchanged.
I was listening to a TedX talk recently and Steve A. said, “I participated in my own healing process.” There are many approaches to uprooting deep-seated issues and promoting healing.
Here are some strategies for you to participate in your healing process:
Physical activity: Regular exercise can help release tension and stress, improve mood, and promote overall well-being.
Creative expression: Engaging in creative activities like art, music, or dance can help you express emotions that are difficult to put into words.
Learning: Stimulating your mind with new thoughts and ideas can increase your hormone levels and boost your energy.
OUTSIDE SUPPORT
Childhood experiences of abuse, neglect, or hurtful situations often left us lacking the support we needed. Trying to heal on our own can feel like an uphill battle. When we lacked support and nurturing as children and continue to feel alone or isolated in our healing journey, we may perpetuate old patterns and hinder our healing process.
For outside support in your healing process, consider seeking the help of a professional.
Here are some ideas of my favorite ways to support others on their healing path:
Resonance Repatterning: This method uses muscle testing to identify and transform unconscious patterns, beliefs, and emotions that contribute to your issues. Awareness only brings to light the conscious patterns. We need to dive deeper into the unconscious to fully heal.
Family Constellation Work: This approach explores how family dynamics and ancestral patterns may be influencing your current experiences and helps to resolve these issues. Some of our problem roots aren’t even “our problem” - the problem actually originated with an ancestor and was passed down to us unconsciously through our DNA.
Emotional release techniques: Techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or somatic experiencing can help release stored emotions and trauma from the body. Combining EFT with Constellation work or Repatterning work is extremely powerful in eliminating the root.
Each person's healing journey is unique, so it's important to find what works best for you. Experimenting with different approaches and being patient and compassionate with yourself along the way can be key to healing deep-seated issues.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Remember to show yourself compassion. All transformation needs love. Practicing self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness and understanding, especially when facing difficult emotions or experiences.
Healing and transformation are deeply intertwined with the power of love. When we approach our wounds and struggles with self-love and compassion, we create a nurturing environment for growth and change. Love has the ability to soften our inner critic, quiet our fears, and open our hearts to healing. It allows us to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections, recognizing them as part of our unique journey.
Love also plays a crucial role in how we relate to others and the world around us. When we cultivate a mindset of love and empathy, we create deeper connections and understanding. We can forgive others and ourselves, releasing the burdens of resentment and anger. Love empowers us to see beyond differences and judgments, creating unity and acceptance.
Ultimately, love is a transformative force that guides us towards wholeness and fulfillment. It encourages us to be gentle with ourselves, to honor our experiences, and to trust in the process of healing. By embracing love in all its forms, we can initiate a journey of profound healing and transformation.
TAKE AWAYS
Get to the root.
Healing the original wound erases the trigger.
Always show love to yourself through the entire process.
You can do this!
Namaste,
Heather