When times are tough it can feel as if the struggle will never end. We ask ourselves, “Will this pain last forever?” Living in unsafe environments, relationships, or situations can cause us to feel trapped. The small child voice in our head tells us there is nowhere to escape. We form ourselves into a tight ball in the center of our chests, seeking to hide from the darkness.
Darkness does not last forever. The day always follows the night. Life is made up of frequency waves. These waves are like respiration. We labor and work on the inhale, relax and recover on the exhale. Knowing all things ebb and flow gives us the gift of freedom from the fear of being trapped when triggered, struggling, or grieving.
Social justice activist and writer L.R. Knost illustrates this point well, “Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
Activity:
- Practice the Square Breathing technique: Breathe in counting to 4, hold your breath counting to 4, breathe out counting to 4, then hold your breath counting to 4.
Affirmation: I surf the frequency waves of life with grace.
Journal Cue: Write about a frequency wave that happened in your life over the last year. For example: A challenging incident, how it became resolved, and what you learned from the experience.
© Amanda Lee
