In his famous book Waking the Tiger (1997), Peter A. Levine explains trauma as becoming so commonplace that most people don't even recognize it when it happens. This makes sense, especially since we see traumatic events and occurrences multiple times daily on t.v., in social media (FB, Twitter, etc). These include articles, images, discussions of shootings, violence, killing, abuse, betrayal, etc. Whether or not it is our own personal experience, we are exposed to trauma everywhere we turn.
David Whyte's poetic description about living and longing exemplifies tremendous courage.
To be able to be so vulnerable and bold as to melt into the "fierce heat" of your own life, while falling toward the core of what you long for, dream of, wish for-being who you truly are- Now that is courageous!
Have you felt afraid lately? Tense, on edge, scared? I admit that I have felt an immense amount of fear over the past week. The world, after all, seems so uncertain. The news doesn't help either; it is also extremely unsettling. Life at times looks really dangerous, doesn't it? So many shootings, drownings, accidents, illnesses, natural disasters. People are dying every second. The list seems pretty dismal, especially when reviewing my list of sheer tragedies. But what about those that recently lost a job, or are facing a decision about whether or not they should stay in their relationship? What about the day to day life experiences that we each face? Can those feel just as scary?
It has been an awe-inspiring past few weeks. I had the wonderful opportunity to host and present on Breaking the Cycle of Sexual Abuse at the Utah Women's Birth Circle, facilitated by the amazing massage therapist and healer Monica Faux-Kota.
I started writing my blog this morning thinking that I could write about vulnerability from a space where I wouldn't have to be vulnerable. After I realized how impossible that would be for me, I laughed out loud at myself. I know that when I retreat to a space inside of me where I am surrounded by walls, my mind goes blank. I disconnect from my truth. I quickly decided that it is best to stay connected with my vulnerability as I write this week's recovery blog.
