Facing Trauma
Trauma can build up over time in our bodies, minds, and spirits. How can we recognize our pain, find forgiveness, and silence our inner critics to live our best lives?
When we think of trauma, our minds naturally go towards the worst type of situation we can imagine: tragic losses, natural disasters, and unthinkable abuse. Sadly, that type of trauma is very real. We all know of people who have faced unimaginable pain…
But, there is another face of trauma. It’s a type that few talk about and many of us discount while silently suffering. These internal wounds eat away at our psyche for years, often impeding us from living out our purpose and reaching our potential. And this is the type of trauma I’d like to discuss today…
Trauma, by definition, is any result of an experience that limits your ability to live fully…
Trauma can build up over time in our bodies, minds and spirits from pain that is perhaps less tangible.
If you were a victim of bullying as a child…
If you were constantly told that you were too much or too little…
If you suffered from mean-spirited competition in the workplace or hurtful sibling comparison in your home…
If you faced debilitating ridicule, jealousy, deceit, or betrayal…
This type of silent trauma is very real—whether it was maliciously intended or not—and that is trauma.
Before you know it, we start believing the lies, and they make us shrink—perhaps causing us to play small, put our dreams on hold or procrastinate from accomplishing the things we are destined to do. Over time, if we are not careful, we can fall into a cycle of comfortable apathy or complacency—and this trauma is passed down in your DNA if not dealt with. Did you know it’s proven that trauma or injury can actually alter and damage your cells? And we all know what “abnormal cells” can lead to…
So, if you don’t want to address it for yourself, do it for your kids, your grandkids, and future generations.
As parents, sometimes we can compartmentalize hurt and pain. We pretend it’s not there. We tell ourselves there is not enough time or money, or that we will get to our goals another time. We say we need to prioritize our children and support them in accomplishing their hopes and dreams—at the expense of putting our own aspirations on the back burner. Do we ever stop and think how unhealthy that is? If our children see us following through to accomplish more, don’t you think that would inspire them to do and become more also? When we have more humans fulfilling their purpose, in turn, wouldn’t our world be a far better place?
So, heading into the New Year, this is the season we start to think about achieving our goals. Do we want to lose weight, eat healthier, buy or sell a home, move to a new place, earn a promotion, write a book, or go on a dream vacation?
If we can be honest in recognizing and addressing our past hurts, finding forgiveness and working through our emotions, silencing our inner critics, and recognizing the real trauma holding us back, we have a much greater chance to achieve everything we want in life!
So how do we do that? Here are a few thoughts:
Get quiet so we can feel the feels, reflect and hear our own thoughts. Be intentional about creating at least 20 minutes of quiet “me time” daily. Create calm amidst chaos. Don’t we deserve it?
Find refuge in nature during walks, runs, and country drives.
Talk to someone. Find trusted friends, therapists, & life coaches who can help us work through our pain.
Create a gratitude journal. Words have power! Cement positive thoughts and feelings on paper. Doing this for at least 30 days creates a healthy consistent habit! Before you know it, our inner dialogue will be a lot more positive and kind—over time, silencing those inner critics.
Join a support group in our local area. Or simply partake in a hobby, cause, or pastime that brings us joy and allows us to use our gifts to serve others.
Find a good prayer group, bible study, and/or daily devotional. Spend time in the Word. Pray for answers and guidance.
Create a vision board and set small achievable milestones. Re-visit that vision board at least weekly, if not daily when we journal, pray, or hold our quiet time.
Listen to inspirational podcasts; break out those personal development books!
Diffuse essential oils to uplift us, thus supporting us emotionally and physically as they have the ability to nourish our cells.
If you truly want to be healthier and happier in the New Year, take some time to think about the past hurts in your life: past comments, schoolyard bullying, family ridicule, and old scars you’re hanging onto. Sometimes it’s hard to take the time to actually acknowledge these things, because we are moving at such a rapid pace simply trying to keep up in our fast-paced world. But take some time to reflect on the things that you have been told throughout your lifetime that are total lies—the things that have affected who you are, and caused you to shrink or give up on your past dreams. Enough is enough!
Let’s work together to dream bigger this year. Live into our potential. Take more risks. Say YES to the promptings of our hearts. Give the gift of ourselves to make this world a better place. And let’s watch the ripple effect all around us!
Additional Resources:
Feelings Buried Alive Never Die:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2284.Feelings_Buried_Alive_Never_Die_
