Why is it so easy to feel that when I have not been triggered by a wound for a while, it has somehow resolved itself—only to feel blindsided when that wound rears up again?
Healing doesn’t work that way, as much as I wish it did. The phrase “time heals all wounds” falls wholly short of reality when it comes to the human heart.
Recently, I was unexpectedly triggered, and the flood of emotions that surfaced was an indication that the hurt was deep and complex. I didn’t see it coming. I walked happily into a conversation and walked out of it feeling exposed and vulnerable.
In the book No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, he discusses how triggers are invitations to healing and self-discovery rather than something to avoid or suppress.
While I did not wish to have this wound stirred up, its stirring has given me an opportunity to work toward healing and growth—and that is a gift.
This wound for me was of being deemed unfit, and it has been reinforced by more than one memory where that message was conveyed to me by someone I cared about.
As a conscious leader, I am actively working to change the generational pattern of the victim mindset in my own life. In order to do that, I have to approach this from a place of self-awareness. I need to pause and ask myself:–
Pushing past the wall of my wounds to step into truth is difficult and scary. But I only allow my hurt and fear to control and dictate my life when I do not push forward and change the narrative.
I am not unfit. I am strong. My voice matters. I bring valuable insights to the world. My voice is needed. I am enough.
I am capable of stepping beyond the hurt into my growth. I can stand tall and confident, refusing to let the opinions of others define my success or control my inner voice.
I can walk in forgiveness and see how the hurtful words from this person are an indication of their own wounds that need healing. I can have empathy for their journey, even when their journey collided with my own and left a mess in its wake.
I am a conscious leader. I am able to see my own reactivity and take intentional steps toward redirecting myself into a space of reflective response and power.
Thank you for the gift of my wound being brought to light so that I might have the opportunity to become a more whole and powerful version of myself.