The purpose of healing and self-discovery

“We can not become what we want by remaining what we are”
-Max Depree

In order to become the person we envision being, we have to let go of the aspects of the person we currently are that do not contribute to that vision. We all have this feeling that we can be more than we are. And we have that feeling for a reason, because we CAN be. oftentimes, the hardest part is just getting started. So just start somewhere, start anywhere, as long as you start.

Healing and growth are not necessarily linear, meaning we go back and forth on our timeline. Some issues are easier to confront after we confront and resolve other aspects first. Some wounds are not even visible until we’ve healed other wounds first.

Start by looking at areas that call your attention. Watch for what prompts the strong emotional reactions in you. Observe the situations and interactions that evoke a negative, tense, or anxious response. Those are clear signals that there is something that needs to be healed or resolved. It is not always obvious what sparks those feelings. This is where the journey of healing and self-discovery dives deep and why not many people care to take it on. But the fact of the matter is, if you want to excel in any area of life and truly thrive, you have to take the dive.

We don’t need to fear or shame the negative thoughts and feelings, but we won’t be focusing on the negative aspects here as much as using them as a tool to point us in the right direction. “Negative” feelings are not meant to be lived in. They’re meant to be used as an indication of an area in need of repair. Negative responses and feelings are the “check engine” lights of the mind/body/soul, informing us that something isn’t right. We can use personal development through healing and self-discovery to make the necessary repairs and even add upgrades to keep the engine running optimally. When we repair the issue and everything is running smoothly, we still experience bumps on the road, but our “check engine” lights don’t come on. And with regular maintenance, it’s very unlikely we will ever run into complete engine failure when encountering rough weather or even huge detours on our road.

As cliché as it sounds, we truly learn to enjoy the voyage, detours and all. We begin to recognize the beauty we would not have otherwise seen. And now that we keep up on our maintenance, we are capable of changing course without the “check engine” lights coming on. We can use our new upgrades to navigate different roads and obstacles without fear or other unwanted responses.

Lacey Nelson