TRAUMA and STRESS

 

 

 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, trauma is defined as "a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury." This pretty well applies to most of the human race for who hasn't had to deal with an emotional, mental or physical stressor sometime in their life. There are a myriad of mental and emotional traumas that humans can experience such as abuse, loss of a job or loved one, financial woes, child-raising problems or excessive worry. Add to this the stress of an unexpected illness or broken bone.

 

Just daily living creates stress with our fast paced society, high technology, loud noises and overcrowding. Time, of which we never seem to have enough, becomes a stressor itself as we have so much to do with so little time. We become accomplished jugglers, tossing one ball after another, filling our days with endless activities, leaving little time for rest, reflection and relaxation.

 

One secret to reducing stress is to SLOW DOWN, breathe deeply and stay in our bodies and out of our minds. The mind will hold us captive with its 70,000 thoughts each day as it tries to maintain an upper hand in our lives. As helpful as the mind can be for problem solving, it is not to be in control of our lives. We are not to be controlled by our mind or emotions but rather by our center of being-ness which is our link to the Divine. When we slow down, breathe and stay in our bodies (which are always in the present), we can align with our Higher Source. From that place real inspiration and intuition arises and God's voice can be more easily discerned. From that place, we come to realize that 'all is perfect' and useful for our soul's evolving and that God will give us the strength we need to deal with whatever life presents.

 

(I will be giving a talk entitled "Transforming Trauma through Spiritual Awareness" at the Peregrine Book Store in Prescott, Arizona on May 9th at 2pm. It is free and all are invited.)