Your Shadow Is Not the Problem—It’s the Path to Your Light

In a recent peer review, one of the reviewers remarked at my honesty in my self-assessment. I was with two others being reviewed, and one of them commented on it after the review. That honesty is something that’s grown with experience and age, but also as a result of working with others as a therapist: if I want to encourage my clients to be honest, it needs to begin with me.

It doesn’t mean I’m always honest all the time. What it means is that I intend that and am open to considering, owning, then changing, what belongs to me.

What I’ve found in my own journey of self-growth is that those things I disown have power over me, and that the more I own them, the less power they have. I’ve discovered something else: those disowned parts are also my strengths, and once I own them, I’m the one who gains power. Power over my choices, my direction in life, and with that, an increase in physical energy.

Our shadow – that part of ourselves that we disown or want to disown -- is the key to our shining. Sounds corny, perhaps, and yet it’s true.

Quote of the Week

You can’t hide from yourself and heal at the same time.

― Jamie Kern Lima

Sovereignty: radical self responsibility on steroids

Announcements

Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist.  To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programs, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co . 

If you’re interested in the topic of avoiding burnout for people who do too much, you may be interested in checking out my youtube channel.