One of my all time favorite movies is The Shawshank Redemption. In the days when we had the premium cable subscription with a bevy of channels, if I happened to be mindlessly flipping through seeking a source of entertainment and came across it, without question, no matter how far along the movie was, I was hooked.

I’m hoping you’ve seen it too, even if only once.

I haven’t seen hide nor hair of the movie for a few years, but I had an interesting visual in a meditation the other day where this scene appeared: it is revealed that wrongfully accused Andy Dufresne has been tunneling his way out of prison by night, and disposing of the evidence by day, by lining the cuff of his pants with the dirt and discretely releasing it into the grounds of the yard.

In my meditation, I suddenly made the connection that this is what I have been doing for a long while. Burrowing my way out of my self-imposed prison and scattering the remnants into the earth and atmosphere, or at least that is what I am trying to do via therapy, tapping, breathing, meditation and the like.

Choosing to become whole again is very much like willing yourself to begin digging a tunnel in a vague direction with no light at the end. It’s an act of faith and courage. The digging is frustrating and brings one face to face with uncomfortable feelings and truths that can be suffocating and claustrophobic.

Releasing the self you’ve become to make room for your true self to emerge requires an unwavering belief that there is something better on the other side. Something better than living in pain.

I truly believe that peace and well-being exist beneath our suffering, beyond our stories and thoughts. We must find our way through by tunneling out into the open.

Similar to Andy’s journey from incarceration to the outside world, my own healing has been arduous, slow moving and fraught with self-doubt. I have often felt stuck in a proverbial tunnel, where the only option is to back out, feet first.

But at this point, the thought of breaking through to the other side and feeling the light of day, the fresh air and the freedom keeps me moving forward.

So, did I love the good-triumphs-over evil theme? Absolutely, who doesn’t! However, I think my obsessive viewing had more to do with my soul waving a flag and sending up flares from the depths, where it lay in hopeful wait for my return.

It has taken me a very long while to allow these messages to come into view.

Do you have lyrics or movies you are constantly drawn too? Is it possible that your soul is sending a message?

-db

Who is Dianna Bonny?

Hi, my name is Dianna Bonny. It’s my mission to candidly share my journey with you. For me, it’s all about the healing: to create a radiant healing energy for others who have befallen a similar fate. Together, we can forge beautiful lives of belonging and connection. Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to hearing from you.