During one of many group sessions a therapist suggested to all of us that we keep a picture of ourselves with us at all times. The picture had to be of us when we were really little – 3 or 4. And, we when we were feeling self destructive or depressed or talking particularly shitty to ourselves, we had to take it out and look at it…. and then ask ourselves if we would treat that little person in the picture that way.
Mine was a picture of me in kindergarten – which of course I can’t find at the moment. It was that little person that I wouldn’t want anyone treating like shit.
The idea behind the dance in the video was that he see himself as his younger self for just a moment… long enough to pull himself up out of a dark moment and carry on.
Every now and then I can still do this.
………………………………… When I want to.
When I want to. I think those words are so powerful with this disease for me.
I stayed home from work yesterday. Because I wanted to.
So easily I slip into an excuse that I need the day off to get my head straight. I’m not “feeling” well. My medicine isn’t right. I’m just not right in my head or my skin.
But the bottom line is… I just don’t want to do it. I take the easy way out.
I am so fortunate. I mean seriously fortunate. I have struggled in my past. I have scars inside and out to prove it – not that it’s necessary to have them – or to need to prove it. By the grace of whoever or whatever (totally different post) I have come through some serious situations. I am on the upside of my disease for now. And I am grateful for sure. And, because of that there is no reason for me to slack.
So easily I can use a day like yesterday to start slipping backwards… letting my head get in the way. Listening to the negativity… rolling over and going back to sleep instead of moving forward and taking charge.
I needed to get up and look into the mirror and see my little self saying… “Get the hell outta bed and go! You have worked to hard to slide”.
I realize that this isn’t scary and edgy – comparatively. But it is my edgy for today. I know myself and I know that I can turn a corner in about 2 seconds if I’m not careful.
Excuses are easy for me to make – easy for me to follow through on and really most people expect them from me.
I don’t want to let my little person down.
It’s hard to see her. But, she is there. She’s… he’s… there in all of us if we want to look.
But looking into the mirror is really hard…..
Missing Peace 