You may have been taken aback by the image in last week’s post and perhaps even judged me as insensitive. At least, that is how I used to judge others who would share (or as I would put it, “boast”) about their healing. And I judged myself last week, too.
Then I had a re-awakening.
And, instead of judging myself, I got real honest and the truth came up, which was…
While I would have *felt* disgusted by the visual representation of depression, I would love that woman right where she’s at, but also be overjoyed to see her, the woman in that photo, rise up out of bed, much like the seedling rising up out of the soil in the image above.
Not merely surviving and coping with heartbrokenness and the heaviness of her past, but overcoming it, moving forward, and thriving—each and every day, with faith and perseverance.
Standing mightily against any obstacle that crossed her path or any perceived failure that tried to bring her back down.
I would be inspired by her, her victory, and how she overcame debilitating depression that negatively affected her body, mind, and spirit for years and nearly caused her untimely death.
I would admire her vulnerability and her courage.
Her steadfastness.
And, if I could be brave enough, I would ask her how she did it and hope she would take the time to answer, honestly.
But I know full well that is not the norm. Heh, that is not human nature.
No.
Human nature is to judge and resist and feel repulsed by actual victories. And even avoid sharing our “how.”
Because, newsflash, we, as humans, are flawed. (Matthew 19:26)
We, as humans, are generally resistant to the possibility of actual healing, even if we talk about it incessantly. Because healing takes responsibility.
We don’t know what to do when we witness it and, many times, we judge and run away from the possibility of it, as it is not within our human realm of comprehension.
And, by God, what would we do if we actually did heal?
What would we spend our healthy time doing and thinking and talking about?
What would we complain about?
How would we live without our comfortable complacency?!
The hypocrisy is that many of us who call ourselves healers are actually and utterly closed to the possibility of taking agency over our own lives and wellbeing—the foundation for authentic healing—because many of us, as children, were tasked with managing others’ “mishegoss”.
And naturally, because of this, we await “the one” who’s going to do that for us in return.
BECAUSE WE ARE TIRED! (Matthew 11:28-30)
We are closed to the possibility—the truth, rather—we don’t have to rely on something or someone outside of us to take the wheel.
That is codependency, after all.
If I am being fully honest, I got into a codependent relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t my fault, but…anyway, a topic for a Substack post…
IT IS AND NEVER WAS HER OR OUR FAULT. (Psalm 27:10)
But we can take heart.
Because the power (defined as strength, courage, willingness, and faith) to take the wheel, my friend, is within us. (Romans 8:11)
We have the power to get the results we want and talk and daydream about.
Even if stuck has sadly and tragically become our comfort zone.
The best news is, we don’t have to stay there. (John 16:33)
☀️☀️☀️
Here are some suggestions to help with getting started…
~ Write, sing about, or envision (make a vision board!) what your world will look like when you take back your power, regain your strength, and overcome the stronghold of debilitating depression (or anything else that may be weighing you down from your past).
~ Take a shower, whatever temperature you are comfortable with. If you are in good physical health, change the temperature right before you get out. Hot to cold?! WOO!
~ Put on clothes you feel most like yourself in. Make sure they’re clean, for Pete’s sake!
~ Go for a walk outside, even if it’s just a few yards.
~ While you’re outside, try standing barefoot on the grass. Feel the connection between you and the beautiful earth, Divine Creation.
~ Listen to your favorite song. Better yet, your favorite dance song.
~ And dance.
~ When the emotions arise, release them.
~ And repeat.
Take care of yourself for a while. For you are loved.
And, if you just feel like you can’t. If you feel you are not ready. I rebuke any fear or doubt in you so you, too, can experience normalcy and vibrancy, heed your purpose, and help others “love themselves up”, too.
Next week: “Wake up and smell the green tea”
