“There is no light without shadow, and no psychic wholeness without imperfection.”
C.J. Jung
This quote references the connectedness of light and shadow. One cannot exist without the other. We are all of our strengths and all of our areas of growth. We are ultimately whole and complete, but it can be hard to fully accept that truth and fully accept ourselves, in all of our beautiful complexity.
Courage is needed to notice and turn towards where needs are not being met and taking the steps to remedy that. After identifying gaps, we see our struggles and challenges anew.
Take a moment to think about a challenge you have experienced recently. Think about this situation and see if you can identify the positive need(s) beneath it. Here is an example to get you thinking:
If you are struggling to maintain equanimity with those closest when they want something from you, might that be related to an unmet need for recognition for all that you are already doing? Can you request that recognition or offer it to yourself in another way?
Courage is needed to look squarely at where our fear is getting in the way of us getting what we need. Take some intentional breaths and be aware of the thoughts that come to mind, the emotions that flow through your heart and the sensations you feel in your body. When ready, be brave and trust yourself to ask, where might that be coming from? Without judgement, sit with it. Accept for this moment, the complexity of what is true for you, knowing that you are holding valuable information and when the time is right, you will decide what to do with that information.