The Art of Healing

The definition of healing is to restore to health and soundness; to set right; restoration of that which is damaged to its normal function; regeneration (spiritual, revival, rebirth); and renewal of any lost part. 

“The renewal of any lost part” caught my attention. During challenging times people are often seeking parts of themselves that they think have been lost, stolen or damaged. I believe that we are, inherently, whole, and that at the core of our being, beauty and peace exist. When my clients speak about wanting to heal, we explore the deep desire to remember that they are not broken or damaged goods. We talk about the fact that in every situation there is good and it is leading us back to a state of wholeness. When the Japanese mend broken objects, they fill the cracks with gold. They believe that when something is damaged and has a history, it is more beautiful. What if that were true of us? What if each and every aspect of our life stories was an essential ingredient that made us stronger and more beautiful?

We think healing should be peaceful, blissful and easy. However, healing often requires purging and clearing out old ways of being in order to create space for expansion. Think about your home and how the accumulation of old stuff can create a feeling of constriction. Until you clean out the closets and drawers there is not space for something new. You cannot even see how much space you have until there is a clean area. The same holds true for your life. Challenge can create constriction and lack of clarity. Underneath all of the old behaviors and events there is a space that is waiting to be filled with light, joy, harmony and abundance.

Here are some thoughts to support you in becoming an artist of healing:

• Doubts and fears are nothing but energy. See them, acknowledge them and then put your attention on something that supports your health and well-being.
• When you feel alone, reach out to people who see your beauty and power. Do not connect with those who will agree that you are a victim.
• Remember that change is an evolutionary process and may be slow. Do not judge the speed that you are traveling through the changes.
• Clean out your emotional closet by witnessing your non-supportive thought patterns and choosing differently.

The original blog post was written by Cynthia James for blog.gaiam.com.  I've taken snippets from her post to create this one.  To read her post in its entirety, click here.