Reflection for Healing

Traumatic experiences can last a lifetime if we allow them to take over our lives. People try to forget them as best they can and move on with their lives; however, healing tends to happen quickly when people reflect on those experiences and allow them to shift. By trying to forget, it can bring out those feelings even stronger, and that prevents us from moving on.

It helps to talk to others when we’ve had traumatic experiences. Talking to family and friends is okay, but it’s usually better to speak with people who are going through similar circumstances as you. This is why Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) requires members of closed meetings to be people who have admitted to having substance abuse problems. Anyone can attend an open meeting.

Members in AA meetings use reflection to bring up their experiences of drinking or drug use. They do this to remind themselves that going back to that life is not a good choice. They also do it to help others in similar circumstances realize they are not alone. This is especially helpful for newer members.

It can be difficult for people to discuss what happened in the past. Perhaps they were fighting in a war situation as a member of the armed services. They may have had to take another life, and that is something that often haunts people. Another situation is they may have a permanent injury as a result of the armed conflict.

If you find you are facing a situation that is difficult to discuss and is holding you back, you may want to consider seeking out professional help. Therapists are trained in helping people get through traumatic experiences. You should not approach this avenue of help as something that is going to cure you after a few sessions. It takes a long time and often requires many sessions before seeing any results or benefits.

The quicker people are in reflecting on their experiences, the faster they can start to heal. There are no guarantees. But, keeping your feeling bottled up is likely to make the situation worse, or at least, stay the same. It will hold you back from moving on and forward with your life.

You may find the government has programs or funding available to get you the help you need. This can be an important factor, especially when seeking professional counseling, as this can get quite expensive. Contact your local municipality for any programs that may be available and follow the procedures to get the help you need. It’s likely to be a long journey, but the sooner you begin, the faster you can start living a better life for yourself.

Developing a practice of self-awareness, forgiveness, and gratitude is a way to begin healing. Try writing the circumstances and your feelings out in a journal, then reframe them in a healthier perspective.

Living an Intentional Life is full of benefits, including healing from past trauma...take care of yourself and allow yourself to reflect, forgive, and heal.

Until next time...

Lisa

P.S. If you'd like to learn more about A Pilgrimage to Self, click the link below: Learn more here about A Pilgrimage to Self