The positive vibes only message is one of the most harmful and divisive messages among the personal growth and wellness communities. Rather than elevate our state, it creates harm and further detachment from authenticity through the propagation of the idea that only those states which our culture deems as good get a seat at the table. Everything else must be dismissed, transcended, thwarted or changed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

How toxic.

What unnecessary pressure to place upon a society living (or often just surviving) through such chronically stressful times. A society doing the heavy lifting of healing the unmetabolized pain of previous generations.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

There are times when the positive vibes approach serves a purpose; the moments before giving a speech or going for an interview is not the time to drop into the deepest, darkest recesses of our mind. In regular life, however, we will face with and feel the whole spectrum of human experience, and the reality is that it ain’t all sunshine and kittens.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Stepping into true alignment, power, purpose, authenticity means embracing ALL parts of our experience; embracing ALL parts of our psyche, the stuff we’re fine with and the stuff we spend whole lifetimes running from. It means meeting all parts of our being with acceptance, non-judgement and grace.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Start small. Learn to stay with the unpleasant, to tolerate discomfort. Gradually and gently begin to feel your feelings. Allow them. Turn compassionately towards them.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Get help with this if it’s too hard to go it alone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

It is only in reclaiming all parts of ourselves that we will ever feel any true peace and wholeness.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Healing is always possible.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Each breath is a chance to begin again……