Several days ago I began this series as an addendum or in follow up to an article that I wrote, Living with a Disability — Go and Make it a Good Day. I began this series because in my experience I found that I could not begin to Go and Make it a Good Day until I addressed what kept me from being able to Go and Make it a Good Day. Per your information, each part of the series builds upon the previous parts of the series and each part of the series is connected to the series as a whole.
That is why I suggest that each of the previous parts be read for context.
I hope you are benefiting from my experience, strength and hope. Please let me know if the content of the series is helping you. Thank you.
Please read Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 for context. Thank you.
And now for Part 3.
Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy to see that you decided to stop by to visit with me. You are always welcome around my table. Several articles ago I introduced a series,
Living with a Disability — Go and Make it a Good Day. As a traumatic brain injury survivor — through this series — I share with you some of the important spiritual awakenings that I have experienced during my recovery process. These spiritual awakenings or awarenesses have empowered me with the ability to choose to go and make it a good day.
In part 3, I will share with you what held me in bondage for many years.
In essence, I discovered that denial held me in bondage because I Did not Even kNow that I wAs Lying — to myself.
And now for Part 3.
Before I began my process of grieving, I saw denial as an ally. In my experience, emotional pain motivated me examine my denial. In the process, I began to see denial as an active adversary. As my eyes slowly opened, I saw that denial was seeking to keep me trapped in a system that would or could not allow me to realize or accept my reality. In collusion with my fear (s), denial shamed me for not being enough even though I sought to do my very best. Denial also sought to keep me distracted so that I could not see a way to my destiny. Denial led me to believe that I was my disability, deficits and limitations.
Denial minimized my passion and discounted my gifts, talents and abilities. Denial — in practice — sought to silence my voice. Denial kept me shrouded by a societal stigma that devalued my worth because of my traumatic brain injury. Denial kept me subservient to what other people thought of me. Denial undermined my self-worth and self-esteem. Denial kept me crouched in the shadows of isolation. Denial told me that what I thought and felt were of no accord. Denial sought to keep me distracted so that I could not see the truth. Denial sought to disparage my value and worth because I did not live up to denial’s expectations.
As my awareness grew and I saw how my denial was limiting my life. Consequently, I made the decision to confront my denial.
Please read Part 4 for context. Thank you.
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