Choose Self-Devotion and Create a Healing Movement

shine light quote | Dianna Bonny Photography

After four years of walking in the deeps woods of loss, I have come to think of it as the true equalizer in life. No one is spared and there are no detours. For many, it becomes a blueprint for suffering, and for others, the divine coordinates for a larger life.

It took me a while, but I do cherish the journey. During a four-year college education, I learned about the world and how, if I shaped myself right, I might fit in. These past four years, I learned about myself, and have arrived at the understanding that there is no need for shaping.

Engaging in a compassionate relationship with the things that have passed through our lives graces us with the ability to re-purpose what could easily become more energetic armor. The dense material of pain is absolutely perfect for armor, but in choosing to see it as life changing compost, it can become the fertile soil for a new beginning.

Here are a few other things I have gleaned while exploring the underbelly of loss:

In the first few days of my “after” life, I noticed my mind was still carrying the familiar sledgehammer I wielded in my “before” life. These self-delusional ways of coping included denial and blame. I denied what was uncomfortable. I blamed unpleasant things on others. Miraculously, I recognized these behaviors as the fast lane right back into my old way of being. Self-delusion is a well-worn path to further pain.

Some things are better full strength, particularly a human in healing. Do not dilute yourself. The beauty of a traumatic experience is this: it rips off the veneer that we have glued down over our life to hide our vulnerability. In this raw and exposed state, it is imperative to nourish body, mind and spirit to full strength. For me, self-dilution included the extra glass of wine and foods that weren’t in harmony with my body, like gluten and dairy. All of these things weakened my healing potential.

Fear is another form of self-dilution that will undermine efforts to step into a new way of being. When I feel fearful, I know I am up against years of conditioning and have found the most effective way to deal with it is by actively engaging it through meditation and tapping. It is my way of respectfully acknowledging its presence without allowing it to mow me down.

Ultimately, healing comes down to the practice of self-devotion, which amounts to the culmination of a million tiny micro-choices that all point to choosing yourself in the biggest way. And the importance of this is immense, because only in choosing to become whole again can we be of any use to ourselves, our families and the world at large. By making the declaration, “I am going to heal and transform my pain,” we open the door to possibility. We are able to gather up our resources and channel them for good.

Trust yourself enough to eschew self-delusion. Love yourself more than succumbing to self-dilution. Become a devotee of self-healing and observe the ripple effect that loving yourself has on everything you do.

Do you think you can adopt a practice of self-devotion? I would love to hear the ways you are choosing yourself on your healing journey.

Sending love your way.

-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.

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