The Journey to Self Discovery

Trauma generates emotions, and unless we process these emotions at the time the trauma occurs, they become stuck in our mind and body. Instead of healing from the wounding event, the trauma stays in our body as energy in our unconscious, affecting our life until we uncover it and process it out.  The healthy flow and processing of distressing emotions, such as anger, sadness, shame, and fear, is essential to healing from childhood trauma as an adult.  The healthiest response to childhood emotional wounds is also the rarest: When the trauma first occurs, we recognize the violation it has caused to our sense of self, feel the natural emotions that follow, and then realize that the violation doesn’t say anything about us personally — and thus we don’t make negative meaning of it and can let it go. But because emotions like anger and sadness are painful — and because crying or confronting others is often not socially acceptable — this proc...

  I noticed something within myself coming out through my words and, as you know, words are definitely power. I found myself relinquishing my power negatively by not acknowledging my abilities. Early on in the day, I had posted an encouraging quote like I always did, admonishing others in their walk in life. People were giving me admonishments for all I had done for the community of survivors, and I immediately thought I was not worthy. I responded finally by saying, "No,  WE are great!"   Looking back, I said, damn how damaging! I had spent so much of my life feeling inadequate, forgetting all the amazing things I had done. It was like a gaping hole in the middle of me, never satisfied. I couldn't appreciate a compliment because my no self-esteem worked against my memory and acceptance of my reality. I was always trying to measure up to someone or something that didn't exist. But then I realized something: we are all kingdoms. Our bodies, our minds, our souls,...