Resting Is How We Heal

“Stopping, calming, and resting are preconditions for healing. When animals in the forest are wounded they find a place to lie down and rest completely for many days…They just rest, and get the healing they need.”

-Thick Nhat Hanh

Sometimes we get hurt! Sometimes life sucks! That’s just the way it is. Admit it. Don’t deny it. When I am feeling hurt, sad, angry or other negative emotions (see blog: Positive & Negative) I admit it – out loud! I let the Universe know that I am in that place. That’s okay. It’s actually very healing. That doesn’t mean that I stay stuck in that emotion. It just acknowledges that part of me that feels. I am NOT that emotion. It helps me to get perspective so that I can then focus on what I do want to feel. It also can teach me a lesson that will keep me from feeling that again in that circumstance…or not.
Once upon a time I didn’t do this. I grew up in a home where I was taught to “pull up your bootstraps” (whatever that means), or “stop crying/whining/pouting or I’ll give you something to cry/whine/pout about”. This was a very subversive and manipulative reconditioning of the real child that I was.
When we are very young we have no problem crying for food, clean diaper or when hurt. But somewhere along the way society has taught us to not wear our emotions on our sleeve. How daft! Even conservative religion teaches us that martyrdom is an honour. We should wear it proudly and with a smile. When someone is diagnosed with something like cancer they should fight, put their trust in a Higher Power, and smile, smile, smile. Poppycock!
Whether we call him/her our God, Goddess, Higher Power, Creator, Spirit, etc…, we recognize that we are created whole. As part of that whole we have a body that needs care, gets sick, gets tired. We have a soul/spirit/essence that holds great wisdom and connection to the Universe. We have a mind that thinks, feels, creates. That is what we call living wholly or holy.

My Truth: So what do I need to do when I feel something negative? I recognize it, accept it for what it is. I examine what is going on for me. Once I realize what the cause is I can deal with it and move on. Not by wallowing in pity, no. But by resting in it and taking the time to heal. Denial is never helpful, it just delays healing. I remember that although I feel this emotion, I am not this emotion.

Your Truth: Do you run the river De-Nial through your life when it comes to your feelings? Have you been affected by those who taught us to pull up our bootstraps? Take some time and write it out. Then burn it. Then forgive and release it. Now, gently, allow yourself to be real. If you find yourself getting stuck in the old patterns again, forgive yourself. Don’t beat yourself up.


Resting Is How We Heal