Trauma Uprooted

Recently, I have become fully invested in taking optimal care of my plants, learning what each one needs and how they respond to its environment, so that if I need to change its soil, position, or pot, I can do so to help it thrive. This is all new to me, and I find it amazingly therapeutic. As I am learning more about plants, I have learned how to check their roots for signs of damage. This has gotten me to thinking about my own life, which was initially rooted in Trauma from a very young age. My first encounter with trauma was through my mother, who was abusive in ways that an adult couldn’t handle, let alone a small child. That trauma had been passed down from generation to generation before me, like an unwanted inheritance. But it stops with me. 

I learned that my Trauma has been rooted deep within, into my very soul and core of being, and when you start trying to grow things in soil that has underlying roots of something toxic, everything that comes forward will be toxic. Trauma tried to shape me as a person, causing me to be fearful, lacking self-esteem, setting no boundaries, needing and seeking approval from people, yet not trusting people, making decisions that just led to more trauma and so much more.

Most recently, over the last 6 years, I have been fighting the Trauma of cancer, and this battle has taught me some profound and tremendous lessons. I am learning to heal on a much deeper level, at the core of who I am…My SOUL. The soul is where your heart, will, and emotions lie, and is where TRAUMA takes root. Your soul impacts your quality of life and whether you prosper in the ways God intends for you to live. [[3John 1:2 KJV] 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.]

So, how does one know if they have trauma rooted in their lives? Great question! 

• Look at what is being produced around you and in you. 

• Pay attention to how you are responding to your environment, the people around you, and life in general.

• Do you need outside influences to make you feel happy: Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, Food, Entertainment, People, Etc?

• Do you know what peace feels like?

• Do you know what healthy relationships are (friendships, romantic, workplace, business, etc)

• Do you know how to set boundaries?

• Do you find yourself people-pleasing and unable to say no?

• Can you recognize your body’s response to stress?

• Can you be content sitting alone by yourself in silence? Or do your own thoughts scare you?

These are just a few self-reflection questions to ask yourself. If any of these questions give you pause or make you feel uncomfortable, ask yourself why. We as a society have been taught to sweep things under the rug, second-guess ourselves, ignore the blaring red flags, and keep it pushing. Well, I'm here to encourage you to stop, take a look at yourself and around you, and assess properly. YOU ARE NOT OKAY, MY FRIEND. But no worries, NEITHER ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

It’s time to UPROOT TRAUMA! Start by finding a mental health professional who can assist you in this healing journey because you can’t do it alone. Also, developing a personal relationship with Christ Jesus, the lover of your soul, will aid in your healing completely. [Jeremiah 31:3 ESV] The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.

I LOVE YOU!

Remember to 

BE BOLD

BE UNASHAMED

And most importantly

BE HEALED.

Love, Listiner Inspires