another language 🗣👂

You know that feeling you're trying to escape?  The one you really don't want to acknowledge?

Yes, that's the one.

It has something important to show you.

It may be hard to interpret at first.  You may even feel like it's speaking another language.

Perhaps it's using a tone you dislike.  Or whispering so softly it's hard to make it out.  It might be screaming so loudly you can't parse out words.  

Maybe you're nervous about what it's going to say.  It's possible it will be hard to hear.  It could bring you up close to a feeling you'd rather not experience, even one you're afraid will overwhelm or consume you.

In other cases, it's not using language at all and you're at a loss for what these sensations or visualizations could mean.

I remember one time a client ended up reading a newspaper.  I was amazed by the wisdom in her body.

We were applying an experiential exercise of listening deeply to the feelings and sensations that had been plaguing her.  She'd been repeatedly making choices she knew were damaging and counter to her desires, and couldn't understand the difficulty she was having making the changes she wanted.  

At first, she described seeing a blurry image of black and white.  

Gradually, she zoomed in and discerned words on a page.  

As she stayed with it, the image became more clear...She recognized the print of a newspaper and began to read.  

The article was full of criticisms, berating her for ways she was not "good enough" and pushing her for perfection.  

It certainly wasn't a pleasant or kind delivery.  She'd been trying to avoid these thoughts and feelings for years - over-performing, excelling at school and work, dedicating herself to friends and volunteer efforts, and running at an endless to-do list.  

And she was miserable, unhealthy, and confused about how everything could feel so bad while it looked to others like she was "doing so well."

As unpleasant as the delivery was, this was a breakthrough moment for her.  

Now, she understood what she'd been doing, the choices she'd been making, and the ways she'd been struggling.  Now, she could directly confront the dangerous messages that were keeping her stuck.  Now, she didn't have to keep running.

The change was significant.  In recognizing and attuning to her experience, she was able to make quick and effective changes.  

Not long after, we wrapped up our work and this was one of the pivotal moments she described.

Within the past week, my sensations had an important message as well...although it worked out differently.  In my case, the alarms were more along the lines of "Slow down! You're sick!" 🤕 😷 🤒   

What I initially brushed off as fatigue... and then assumed was strep throat (when my daughter got diagnosed)... eventually revealed itself as covid.  

Definitely unpleasant.  And, in tending to what I didn't want to feel, I could make better choices.  I could respond with care, support a quick recovery, and protect others.  

These are just a couple examples, and the messages that show up in your body and your emotions will be uniquely yours.  

What matters most is how you respond.  

• Are you listening?

• How are you building trust and confidence in the relationship you have with your inner sources of wisdom and guidance?

• What is this trying to tell you in this moment?  

While it may be unpleasant, (and no doubt that interpreting involves patience, compassion, and deep listening👂 ) it is worth it so that you, too, can respond to what you need to move forward as a whole, healthy version of you.

You matter.  You make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here.