Living In The Cave
Doubt, fear, insecurity, no confidence, imposter syndrome, or many of the diagnosed or undiagnosed symptoms that keep us from shining and stepping out in the world usually stem from a negative seed planted deeply into our psyche at a very young age.
Our formative years are the vault of information our subconscious mind is comfortable visiting and resisting. I’ve recently read research claiming that the most profound and habit-bounding times of our learning stages happen from the third trimester of pregnancy to age seven.
Those are the years that children are most vulnerable, excited to please others, and introduced to fear, defiance, uncertainty, and conditional love. It’s a time when they have no say, control, or participation in the daily rules and demands on them.
In their need to be loved, accepted, and safe, they develop habit patterns that will follow them for the rest of their lives unless they figure out what, when, and how and remember the pact they made with themselves to avoid pain, hurt, abandonment, and love. At some point, we found a way to hide, or better said, survive.
The day you switch to survival mode is the day when your mind starts planning out every step you take to feel and stay safe. This survival mode becomes your ordinary daily way of living life, afraid to take chances, try new things, or step away from the status quo, all in the name of staying safe, being accepted, and feeling love.
We become like bears being attacked by the hunters. We slowly retreat into the dark crevices of the cave, stepping away and out of the limelight. Away from being seen, heard, or acknowledged. We willingly give up the spotlight to let others shine because it’s easier to hide than to shine.
The only light that comes through is a little hole at the top of the cave. Enough to see and move around, but not bright enough to look yourself in the mirror and see where you went missing. The real authentic you. The one that came here to play big, accomplish much, and contribute plenty.
Your Soul came here on a mission to be much, do much, and say much, yet somehow, you were silenced from the beginning.
And that is alright; you have a second chance. Becoming aware of this is just the beginning of emerging out of the cave and returning to living your truth, living in the light. Remember the pact you made with yourself to stay safe, and now let yourself see that you are safe and ready to step into the bright spotlight that has been waiting just for you.
Take the stage – let us see you, hear your voice, and appreciate your gifts.
