No Fear...No Shame.
- Self Journey Project
- Jan 27, 2019
- 3 min read
A little trepidation in the approach and a few facial expressions of uncertainty are likely. Even the splash you make won't always sound or look pretty, but who cares...
Did you learn anything from plunging right in!?
With the selfless guidance, love, generosity and time of the special people I've been so fortunate to meet in life...I've recently and finally mustered the courage to take the leap of belief towards self trust & deep reflection.
Have you ever wondered why we allow ourselves to engage in unhealthy patterns, behaviors, and/or thoughts? Or how they may even temporarily hinder our own growth? Perhaps it's part of the process. The process of our human metamorphosis.
Sometimes we hold off on facing ourselves in the mirror for a variety of valid reasons. Fear of what we will see. Shame in who we will see. Sometimes we have to just take a deep breath and face the beautiful dark shadows, even if they are slightly hindering us right now. It doesn't mean they always will. We should make the time to understand where we are, where we want to be, and how these parts of ourselves affect us and those we love.
Confronting the shadows underneath, understanding them, and working through them can lead to acceptance, balance, peace, and an increased self trust & love. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is a good place to start to get your mind to an open reflective space.
Trying something new can build the momentum you need to take the plunge. To face yourself in the mirror, when you’re ready. Don't forget to thank those who have guided you there. Not me, remember, I'm full of $H!+.
Facing our shadows, whatever they may be, is not a piece of cake. And boy, do I love my strawberry shortcake à la mode!!
New to me during the final months of 2018:
1. Rock climbing. Thank you to my Blue Mountains/Blue Ridge Mountains family in NSW & NC!
2. Slacklining. Yes, slacklining...have to practice balance somehow. Thank you to my Katoomba fam!
3. Sharing the Self Journey Project.
4. Learning to play a musical instrument.
5. Commitment to myself and self work. Thank you, you know who you are...
6. Brevity. Can't quite master this one just yet.
Expanding on point 5 and laughing at point 6...I'd like to share that in October I attempted a personal challenge, a commitment. For several personal reasons, some of which surfaced post completion...I decided to abstain from alcohol for the month of October. Sober October, cute, I know.
What's not so cute is what I discovered. On a positive note, I made it, I even extended the challenge and completed 40 days. Was day 41 a relapse? I don't know, I’m still deciding on what to call it.
One of the biggest takeaways from this personal challenge was how often I turned to numbing behaviors to avoid facing the person in the mirror. For years I've distracted myself from working through my deepest darkest issues that affect my daily life and close relationships. Numbing behaviors can take the form almost anything, including strawberry shortcake.
Work, drink, drugs, eating, frivolous spending, gambling, or any self sabotaging behavior can all distract you from your own personal shadow work. Acknowledging this is like a cold shivering shower.
But sometimes we have to just jump right into the cold shower of truth. Search for the compassion and love for yourself to work on yourself.
Make the time at your own pace. We are all in this together...share your story, you'll find you're not alone. You may even inspire someone to do the same.
Discovering Balance Together.
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