Shame is like a remote island that exists within us.
It harbors its own ecosystem of thought and emotion, readying itself to attack its prey or defend its home.
We all have it, we all own it. We all struggle with it at some point in our lives. It tolerates us as we move through life experiences as much as we tolerate it.
Emerging from ancient wounds, devoid of conscious boundaries, shame reveals its nature when we are most vulnerable. Its unpredictability makes it a formidable adversary. Its familiarity can make it an old friend.
Shame communicates between the underworld and those worlds within us. It negotiates between the bowels of darkness and the portals of light in our souls, undermining one’s authenticity, challenging one’s innate abilities to exist in this world, destroying a natural curiosity of the light as it is so consumed with obtaining power.
It becomes its own story in our minds, our hearts, our psyches. it observes us as we struggle against owning it, releasing it, healing it. It divides us, confuses us, disengages us from many truths and realities. It thrives on our need to survive with it. It knows that we do have choice in the matter, A choice to be imprisoned or free.
Not every island sits under the sun, nor does it require our attention and energy. Our survival does not depend on visiting shame as often as we do.
Sometimes we just need to choose other emotional destinations to visit.