Grow Into Your Courage

Over 35 years ago I began writing a journal specifically to explore my issues related to fear, since it seemed to be an underlying theme in my life at that time. As I wrote in my journal, an image for my feelings became clear. The scene was a haunted house. I was creeping around every corner waiting for something to jump out and frighten me. I put on my “brave mask,” walking with authority and whistling a happy tune. But underneath I was terrified and wondered if my false bravado would fool anyone.

Checking The Map

After years of therapy, retreats, meditation, self-help books and workshops, as well as hours of talking with my best friend, I am now at a place where I feel those efforts have borne fruit. In midlife, I feel more secure about who I am. I realize that there are some parts of my personality that will always have a bit of a limp, and have forgiven myself for that. …Now when I find myself in unfamiliar emotional territory (or unpleasantly familiar emotional territory), I take some time to do what I call “checking the map.”

Let Your Healthy Self Emerge

Recently a client mentioned that she had started a diet to lose a substantial amount of weight. She was dedicated to keeping off the weight for good this time. Like this client, for many years I struggled with weight. I “yo-yoed” between the “fat clothes” and “skinny clothes” in my closet. When I lost weight, I kept the “fat clothes” just in case I ever needed them later. By my mid-20s I finally committed to taking the extra weight off.

Root Out Old Victim Patterns

Years ago, when I lived in Seattle, I facilitated a 12 Step workshop about ending gullibility and victimization. In the discussion I said that when we take full responsibility for our perception, feelings and behaviors, we can rid ourselves of the victim mentality. One of the women participating said loudly, “That’s not true! I’ve had seven “bad bosses” in a row and each one fired me, so don’t tell me I’m not a victim!” When we activate our Observer Self, it helps us bring to conscious awareness our role in interactions with others.

Come Back to Your Home Within

I know all too well the restlessness, anxiety, anger and immense sadness that so many people currently experience. For many years, even though I functioned well in the outer world, I often had many of these feelings. Just under the surface of my conscious awareness, I felt that something just wasn’t quite right within me. Through years of therapy, education, introspection, and life experience, I now know that I was missing being comfortable in my own skin, flaws and all.

Journey into the Wilderness of Yourself

During my senior year in college, I was excited about the idea of living on my own after graduation. It would be the first time I would have a space completely to myself without needing to share with my sister or a roommate. I had so much joy the day I moved into my first apartment! The first night I was in my apartment, though, was very hard.

What is True Heroism?

In Western culture many of us have grown up with the idea of heroism as embodied in the lead characters in movies like Rambo, the James Bond series, Die Hard, Under Siege and Terminator. In this view of heroism the main theme is to achieve something through dominance and control, often at the expense of others. This view of heroism is not only pervasive in the movies we watch, but it is also continually reinforced in the workplace. Even the language we use in our work reflects our deeply held conquest mentality. We attack a problem, beat our competition, and make a killing in the market.

The Hero’s Journey: The Power of Myth in Action

“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” How does Joseph Campbell’s classic definition of the hero’s quest have meaning in our times? Marion Moss interviews Peter Wallis regarding the practical application of Campbell’s mythological perspective.

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