Facing ourselves honestly to heal during times of isolation and fear

Dear world friends, as the world is in a great state of transformation, it is also presenting us with the opportunity to change. This transition may seem painful, troubling, and stressful, but if we choose to see the inward opportunities it provides we can wield the wind of change to heal the past and present, to set a foundation for a new future.

During COVID-19 we are practicing social distancing and are unable to meet with friends, family, and travel as often as we did before. With stores and businesses closed or having limited hours, we find ourselves indoors more. The reality that many have lost their jobs, are working reduced hours, and have experienced a reduction or loss of income, further stresses the unknown of the future. We have also limited or eliminated many of the things we used to do socially, or activities that brought us joy. This further stresses separation and anxiety. The hardest part, though, is that we are now with “ourselves” more than ever before, and for many that is difficult.

With today’s current events, we are also experiences new fears that we should examine, because only by facing and examining them can we transform them into something better and reprogram the paradigms of old thought patterns into new ones that can propel us into a better future as a whole. We have seen statistics of increased rates of domestic violence around the world. Any unresolved issues we hold carry a psychic energy that is pent up, and with many of us being “cooped up at home” it can begin to manifest as anger, fear, rage, etc. Unfortunately, our unresolved issues affect those close to us if we do not deal with them, and heal, inwardly. Depression and heartache are also being felt worldwide as we see the death toll rising daily. Many have experienced the heavy grief of losing loved ones and not being able to be close to them during their passing. There’s anger in the isolation of not being able to be close one another, or comfort one another via close proximity, especially during difficult times.

Even though we may experience feelings of helplessness, we are not helpless. There is always hope and we still have the power of choice - within. We can choose to face ourselves. We all carry some form of unresolved issues from our past, and most of us choose to suppress or ignore our pain through the art of distraction. Now, having more time on our hands, albeit a stressful time, gives us the chance to finally look at ourselves, honestly. This is something most of us would either not have had time for, or were too afraid to make the time for.

How do we change? Where do we start? We begin by undertaking a personal journey inward — a hero’s quest. And every journey begins with the first step, followed by one step at a time. Delving into all our pain, grief, depression, anxiety, fear, etc., at once is too overwhelming, so we start by looking at one issues at a time, much like taking one step at time. The key is to be honest with ourselves — to face our pains and fears for what they are. We begin by recollecting a memory, feeling, and examining what really happened and how it affected us. We also need to look at how that experience influenced future choices and beliefs. It is great to write down our feelings and recollections in a journal, connect with family or friends for support, or join an online group of like-minded people. As we bring painful issues to the surface, it is important to be kind to yourself with compassionate self-talk. It is also helpful to incorporate some form of movement to release the energetic aspects of painful memories from the body, such as yoga, walking, hiking, exercise, etc., and to bring the mind back to the current moment through meditation, prayer, prayer groups, or writing down what you are grateful for.

Change isn’t hard. Making the choice to change, is. Just like in any journey you take, the hardest thing is taking the first step. Take the leap of faith, for each of us is the hero/heroine of our own story and we have the power to make the choice to change and be transformed. Finding the hero within and accepting the hero’s journey is the greatest, most important, and empowering choice you’ll make. Remember, a hero is not measured by his/her strength but by the strength of his/her heart.

If we take this opportunity to start the process of healing our hearts by facing our pains, we can bring about greater change inwardly, which translates to greater change outwardly.

~Dave Maddux