As above, so below; as below, so above. As within, so without; as without, so within.
This Universal Truth is one of the seven principles of Hermes Trismegistus, author of Hermetic Corpus. It can be interpreted as in heaven (your own mind), so on earth (your physical body/environment); as on earth (your physical body/environment), so in heaven (your own mind). The world around us is a reflection of our inner world. And our inner world is a reflection of our environment..
This past month has been a whirlwind example of this Principle in my life. So much is being stirred up with the #metoo movement, Christine Ford, women telling their stories - speaking their truth. I see it in my professional life with an increase of abuse survivors coming in for support and healing tools after being triggered by the headlines and hearings. And on a personal level, I am greatly impacted by all of this as an incest survivor. No... make that thriver.
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis
My father sexually abused me for many years and I was silenced with the threat that no one would believe me if I told the truth. And I believed him. In fact, when our 'secret' came to light 30 years later, my mother refused to believe me. Now, 18 years after the initial truth telling, she still refuses to believe me. Denial is a powerful force. And I know that her choice to not believe isn't personal to me. In fact it's not about me at all. It is all about her. One of the things that my life has taught me is that what you think about yourself, is far more important than what anyone thinks about you. My power resides in my willingness to believe in myself with compassion and kindness.
"Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we'll ever do." - Brene Brown
I have always remembered. I never forgot. The memories of the pain, the fear, the sounds and smells and tastes still knock the wind out of me some days. And I have been forever changed in many positive ways because of those experiences - not in spite of them.
For years, I felt broken. Abandoned. Ashamed. Angry. Small. Worthless. Shattered. Alone. And - through much time and attention and healing intention and therapy and writing and meditation and more therapy and energy healing and digging deep - I have moved to a place where I am able to see the gifts in the darkness.
"What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is your candle." - Rumi
We are at a time and place in history where it's more important than ever to share our stories. Listening to others tell their stories, has given me the courage to be more forthcoming in telling mine. To share my trials and triumphs, my unique perspective and our common connections. Speaking our truth is the most powerful tool we have to bring - to ourselves, to one another, to our communities, to the world.
Our destiny is not written for us, but by us. Tell your story. Your story will heal you by setting you free. Share it with the world. Your story will help someone else heal by helping them acknowledge their story. The world needs your medicine. And perhaps, most importantly...
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” - Sharon Salzberg
Blessings on your path,
Beth