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March 2012 - Page 9 of 13 - Self-Help, Spirituality & Self-Esteem

Month: March 2012

Healing the Shadow, Shadow Work, Human Shadow, Healing The Shadow, The Shadow Effect

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Healing The Shadow

Improves Your Life

Healing the shadow is probably the quickest, easiest and most powerful way to increase self-esteem, self-acceptance and self-love.

What is the Shadow?

The shadow is a term coined by famous Swiss psychologist Carl Jung.  Jung coined the term ‘shadow-self’ to make a distinction between

1. the traits you are unhappy to identify with (shadow)

2. what traits you are happy to hold
within your self-image (ego)

In other words, as you go about your life you have an image of…

  • what you are like
  • ways in which you behave
  • what others think of you

Let us call this your self-image. It is an idea or a creation within your mind that you identify as ‘you’.

We might even go so far as to say you think this is you in reality.

Your shadow is whatever is left out of your idea of you plus anything about this idea of you that you don’t like, accept, or want to be there.

You might not readily hold your hand up and say “I am selfish”, but you might readily hold your hand up and say “I am kind” for example.  We would then say that ‘kind’ would be in your self-image but ‘selfish’ would be in your shadow-self.

Now here comes the powerful piece, which allows you to feel better and have a life that works a little bit better…

…in reality there is no one particular, absolute, undeniable, concrete, indisputable way that you are.

The way you think you are is a creation of your mind based on teachings and experiences and an absence of awareness of the truth.

This is why you feel stuck and yuck! It is OK that you are no particular way.  You are everything in reality, every possible experience and interpretation.

Healing the Shadow

To heal the shadow means to welcome back these traits you previously excluded from your self-image. Have a good, honest look at every area of your life and find two times in your past where you were selfish.

Without judgment accept that as a human being this interpretation called selfish will come up from time to time.  Accept that as the way it is, then accept ‘selfish’ as being part of your experience of living.

The power comes when you do this because for each trait you move from the shadow back to the self-image, you become a little bit more whole and content and you will notice self-acceptance and an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence.

While the shadow is full of traits it runs your life. When it is less full you run your life as a conscious being.  Each time you re-own a trait you have experienced a little more of healing the shadow.

Hades the Greek God, Archetypes And Myths, Unconscious Personality, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence

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Hades
The Greek God

Hades the Greek God in mythology is the archetype of the personal and collective unconscious outside of awareness that stores all the memories, feelings and aspects not yet embraced. It is a powerful aspect because what ever you disown will own you.

The word archetype describes what Carl Jung identified as patterns of behaving that arise from the collective unconscious of humankind. The pattern of being is not unique to an individual; it is available to manifest in each of us because we each reflect a part of the whole.

To recognize Hades active within your life look
for…

  • reclusive and withdrawn from the world
  • introverted and value own reactions and responses to
    the outside world more than the outside world.
  • ambition, communication and social skills are generally
    lacking
  • few friends if any, preferring to be alone

Possible drawbacks to living the Hades archetype…

  • often goes unseen and unnoticed
  • lack of emotional connection with others
  • feel alienated from a society that rewards ambition and
    achievement
  • distanced from own emotions

This information has been summarized from the book Gods in Everyman by Jean Shinoda Bolen.

If you recognize your patterns of acting and being in the world from the above list and are curious about what you can do to change, then first and foremost use this information as proof that you are not different, defective or a victim of your past programming.

The above shows the commonality in the human experience when certain innate energies are active. As such begin by accepting that you do indeed own these particular traits and let it be OK that you do.

This will slightly raise your self-esteem and self-acceptance for each trait you own.  
If you would like some guidance or clarification, please contact me, I would love to help.

Greek God Hermes, Archetypes And Myths, Unconscious Personality,Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence

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Greek God Hermes

The Greek God Hermes is the archetype of change being brought into our lives. It is the energy of fluidness and openness and receptiveness of change.

The word archetype describes what Carl Jung identified as patterns of behaving that arise from the collective unconscious of humankind. The pattern of being is not unique to an individual; it is available to manifest in each of us because we each reflect a part of the whole.

To recognize Hermes active within your life look for…

  • quick, agile mind
  • always on the move
  • likes to find own way to succeed
  • broad range of interests and ideas
  • doesn’t like to be tied down

    • Possible drawbacks to living the Hermes archetype…

  • oblivious to what might be unacceptable
  • never settles or settles very late
  • learns many skills but masters none

  • unwilling to commit because of lure of next
    possibility

    • This information has been summarized from the book Gods in Everyman by Jean Shinoda Bolen.

    If you recognize your patterns of acting and being in the world from the above list and are curious about what you can do to change, then first and foremost use this information as proof that you are not different, defective or a victim of your past programming.

    The above shows the commonality in the human experience when certain innate energies are active. As such begin by accepting that you do indeed own these particular traits and let it be OK that you do.

    This will slightly raise your self-esteem and self-acceptance for each trait
    you own.

    If you would like some guidance or clarification, please contact me, I would love to help.

    Greek God Hephaestus, Archetypes And Myths, Unconscious Personality

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    Greek
    God Hephaestus

    The Greek god Hephaestus is the archetype within human beings that urges the creation of beautiful and functional objects.

    The word archetype describes what Carl Jung identified as patterns of behaving that arise from the collective unconscious of humankind. The pattern of being is not unique to an individual; it is available to manifest in each of us because we each reflect a part of the whole.

    To recognize Hephaestus active within your life look for…

    • introverted and intense personality
    • potentially creative and totally dedicated to life’s
    • focused on life’s work to the exclusion of other areas
      of life
    • creates functional and/or beautiful things

    Possible drawbacks to living the Hephaestus
    archetype…

    • feels an outsider
    • not part of the ‘in’ crowd
    • feels rejected by society’s values
    • if doesn’t find gratifying work or is not true to
      creative abilities then will have no natural outlet for deep emotions

    This information has been summarized from the book Gods in Everyman by Jean Shinoda Bolen.

    If you recognize your patterns of acting and being in the world from the above list and are curious about what you can do to change, then first and foremost use this information as proof that you are not different, defective or a victim of your past programming.

    The above shows the commonality in the human experience when certain innate energies are active. As such begin by accepting that you do indeed own these particular traits and let it be OK that you do.

    This will slightly raise your self-esteem and self-acceptance for each trait you own.   If you would like some guidance or clarification, please contact me, I would love to help.

    Greek God Dionysus, Archetypes And Myths, Unconscious Personality, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence

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    Greek
    God Dionysus

    The Greek God Dionysus as archetype is an unusual pattern in that it is apparent in spiritually evolved mystics as well as murderers.

    The word archetype describes what Carl Jung identified as patterns of behaving that arise from the collective unconscious of humankind. The pattern of being is not unique to an individual; it is available to manifest in each of us because we each reflect a part of the whole.

    To recognize Dionysus active within your life look
    for…

  • Sensual; likes to experience the world through all the
    senses.

  • Cries easily or at least is not able to suppress
    emotions like other people are taught.

  • Tendency to fall in love with boys and girls

  • Internal conflict that makes living in the ordinary
    world difficult.

    • Possible drawbacks to living the Dionysus
    archetype…

  • Feeling invalidated and out of step with others

  • Doesn’t fit easily into the culture of goal setting,
    working hard and long to achieve academic or material success.

  • Highs and lows, mood swings and extremes of feelings.
  • Prolonged or catastrophic mid-life crisis.

    • This information has been summarized from the book Gods in Everyman by Jean Shinoda Bolen. If you recognize your patterns of acting and being in the world from the above list and are curious about what you can do to change, then first and foremost use this information as proof that you are not different, defective or a victim of your past programming.

    The above shows the commonality in the human experience when certain innate energies are active. As such begin by accepting that you do indeed own these particular traits and let it be OK that you do.

    This will slightly raise your self-esteem and self-acceptance for each trait you own.   If you would like some guidance or clarification, please contact me, I would love to help.

    Gratitude Prayer, Attitude of Gratitude, Thankfulness and Appreciation

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    Improve Your Life With Gratitude
    Prayer

    A gratitude prayer doesn’t have to be recited lines of verbal sounds
    coming out your mouth once a day. A more powerful and authentic way to ‘ask’ is by feeling gratitude now.

    You see feelings reproduce themselves and this often misunderstood. The self-help gurus and the not so guru’d all write about visualizing and saying affirmations, but what very few of them tell you – because I don’t think they have the consciousness to express it – is that the feeling you feel is the gratitude prayer, not just the thought.

    This is why simply saying thank-you from your headspace is not as effective.

    Feel It First Then Say It

    You HAVE to feel it. You have to be sincere in your body before saying it. The words are just an expression of a state of being, or an experience that you want to communicate to another. Just like any speaking or thinking it arises from a state of being that you verbalize to get that across to another person or to the divine.

    So when you are next in a shop and purchase something, watch yourself when you say ‘thank you’.

    • Did you feel it and therefore mean it?
    • Or did you just say it because saying it is associated
      with the situation and it has become robotic?

    When someone does something for you or gives you something, take half a second to go into your heart and decide to FEEL grateful then express your feeling or state of gratitude by saying ‘thanks’.

    In order to feel it you will need to look for something to be grateful for no matter what the situation. When in bed you can feel grateful that you have a warm, dry bed in a dark, dry, quiet room – then say thanks. The alternative to your warm, dry bed in a dark, dry room is sleeping
    out in the street under a bush. That is enough for me to be thankful. Feel it then say it.

    Waiters and people working in shops get paid to serve you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take half a second to feel grateful that they brought you the food and drink to your table.

    As you go about your day finding little things to be grateful for, the feelings reproduce themselves and multiply. An important part of this is being content with what you have now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a vision and plan for the future. The secret is to be grateful now and that is your gratitude prayer.

    Gold In The Shadow, Shadow Work, Shadow Self, Shadow Projection, Human Shadow

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    Discover Gold In The Shadow And

    Change Your Life

    What Is The Gold In The Shadow?

    The gold in the shadow can be understood by seeing that just as we protect our sense of self by denying that we possess ‘bad’ qualities, we also do not fully acknowledge that we have ‘good’ qualities.

    Your sense of self, your self-image contains certain traits and anything that does not fit into this picture you have off yourself, or anything you wish was not in the picture is called your shadow.

    Shadow Gold Unlocks Your Potential

    When you see someone who has desirable qualities, watch and notice if you think this person is somehow more special than you.  If you feel infatuated by them or you put them up on a pedestal in your mind then you are projecting positive qualities onto them.

    You can notice if someone has positive qualities and not be projecting.  It is placing them above you in your mind that is evidence of your shadow, as Carl Jung termed it.

    What Do I Do With This?

    Just the same as you would do with negative qualities you project onto others, you need to go within and be brutally honest and find instances or areas of your life where YOU have these same qualities.

    They will be there it is just you will have minimized them in your mind.  You might project amazing traits onto a musician but deny the same level of genius in your cooking ability.  Cooking comes so easy to you you think it is no big deal.

    Well the musician finds it easy to play music and it is no big deal to her either.  We each are given talents and skills in different areas and it is for you to embrace these.

    Your inner peace and self-esteem will change immediately for each trait you re-own, embrace and love.  These positive traits are said to be the shadow gold.

    God Inspirational Poem, Inspirational Messages

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    God
    Inspirational Poem

    Here you might find a God inspirational poem that resonates with you.

    You do not have to think of yourself as religious or be a believer in anything to appreciate an inspirational God poem, just be open and humble and absorb the inspirational messages.

    His Way

    Copyright by Claytia Doran

    He sees the tears you’re crying.

    He sees a heart that’s sad.

    God knows how hard you’re trying

    And why you feel so bad.

    So, don’t you go and let Him down

    By keeping all the worry.

    Don’t turn your smile into a frown

    And try to make Him hurry.

    Let Him fill your heart with love

    And take your cares away.

    Lift your eyes to God, above.

    Let Him do things ‘His way’.




    I Asked God

    Author Unknown

    I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

    I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey;

    I asked for health, that I might do greater things,

    I was given infirmity, that I might do better things;

    I asked for riches, that I might be happy,

    I was given poverty, that I might be wise;

    I asked for power, that I might have the praise of man,

    I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God;

    I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

    I was given life, that I might enjoy things;

    I got nothing that I asked for – but everything I had hoped for,

    Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered,

    I am among all men, most richly blessed.



    I like this poem very much. Although not overtly a God inspirational poem it speaks of a profound awareness of reality and how we can help others.



    May I Listen

    Copyright Michelle

    May I listen to your worries,

    Though you feel despair,

    If you talk with me a moment,

    You will see that do care,

    Please share with me your sorrow,

    Don’t be ashamed to shed a tear,

    I’ll listen to your worries,

    Try to help remove the fear,

    I can not solve your problems,

    This is something only you can do,

    But talking through your worries,

    May give an overview.

    Perhaps within the silence,

    You might just be aware.

    That deep within the silence

    Is some one else who cares.




    I Threw A Fit

    Copyright by Claytia Doran

    Lord

    I threw a fit, today.

    You see, I didn’t get my way.

    I expected too much of others.

    I didn’t take time to pray.

    I tried to do things my way,

    Instead of doing them for you.

    I ranted and raved and carried on.

    I threw a pity party or two.

    Lord, I threw a fit, today.

    My frustration took first place.

    I carried on, with an attitude.

    I was ahead, running the rat race.

    Then, you smiled and touched my heart,

    And I saw the footprints in the sand.

    I suddenly felt so ashamed,

    As I reached over and took your hand.

    I slowed my pace, beside you,

    And I felt the glory of your way.

    Lord, can you ever forgive me

    For the fit I threw, today?




    I, Too, Must Weep

    Copyright by Claytia Doran

    Knelt down beside a mound of dirt,

    Only God knows how much I hurt.

    For, no one can feel this pain I bear

    And no one knows how much I care.

    But, before I can dry another’s tears,

    I too must weep and have some fears.

    For, I must know the pain they feel

    Before my comfort, their heart, will heal.

    I must walk a mile in my brother’s shoes

    Before I can help him, the way I choose.

    For, I, too, must know how to feel pain

    And bring the sunshine, to hide the rain.

    I look for blessings, in all my sorrow,

    So I can help someone else, tomorrow.

    I praise the Lord, each and every day,

    That I can help others along life’s way.




    Forget Me Not

    Copyright by Linda Shelburn Reagan

    Forget me not, for I am there

    In the beat of your heart,

    On the wing of your prayer.

    Forgive me my parting and leaving you thus,

    A joyous reunion is waiting for us!

    Continue to strive toward your goal and be brave.

    Know that my love didn’t stop at the grave.

    My spirit is with you through good times and bad.

    I share all the joys and the sorrows you’ve had.

    Feel my presence within your next breath

    And realize there’s no distance in death.

    Ask for my help and I’ll answer your call.

    Reach for my hand when you stumble and fall.

    Run the last mile with a smile on your face.

    My arms will be waiting when you finish the race.

    Always remember, my love is right there

    In the beat of your heart,

    On the wing of your prayer.




    If you are the author of any God inspirational poem shown here and would like to contact me, please do so. I attempted to make contact. I am happy to place a link back to high quality websites or consider other requests in reciprocation. I hope you enjoyed and maybe resonated with a God inspirational poem
    shown here.

    Geneen Roth, Women Food and God

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    Geneen Roth Helps With Emotional Eating

    “…our
    relationship to food is an exact microcosm of

    our
    relationship to life itself”.

    Geneen Roth states on her website it states that her earliest books were the first to make the link between deep personal issues and our habits around food, dieting, emotional eating and compulsive eating.  I assume she is referring to issue such as wanting to feel worthy, loved and accepted.

    “…that our relationship to food, money, love is an exact reflection of our deepest held beliefs about ourselves and the amount of joy, abundance, pain, scarcity, we believe we have (or are allowed) to have in our lives”.

    I was nodding in agreement when I read the next part…

    “…our actions and beliefs make exquisite sense, and that the way to transform our relationship with food is to be open, curious and kind with ourselves-instead of punishing, impatient and harsh.”

    Yes, Yes, Yes! I couldn’t agree more.  And not just about food but about all our impulses and behaviors.  Be gentle and kind and forgiving.  Treat your inner self like you would a little child.  Give her patience and direction and forgiveness.  She is learning and just trying to feel better.

    The last thing our poor little bashed about self/inner child needs is more ridicule, abuse and rejection.  The inner child will make choices that are not aligned with your conscious desires.  Accept this but delve deeply into the reasons so that you can watch the patterns and release them rather than add more rubbish on top.

    Also, I would add my own personal advice is do not overlook the physical effects of an inconsistent diet.  I have read of people who are dedicated to having great bodies, and they do, but the also say the same thing that I notice.  That is, if you get too hungry or thirsty, especially early in the day, then it is almost impossible to get your blood sugar levels back on an even keel.  You MUST have enough minerals and vitamins early in the day and throughout the day so your body can stay evenly balanced.

    If you get too far down it is impossible in my experience to get back to even that day…and guess what happens by the late afternoon and evening?  That is when overeating happens and common sense goes out the window.  It happens to everyone regardless of emotional issues and as I say body builders and athletes know this happens also.

    Here are the books and CDs from Geneen Roth, the latest one being Women, Food and God.  Definitely someone with much experience and can guide you into deeper issues and discovery of your true, authentic self and experience greater love and self-esteem.

    Gemini Moon Sign, Gemini Traits, Astrological Moon Signs

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    If You Are A Gemini
    Moon Sign

    A gemini moon sign will have primarily the following traits. Your self-esteem and personal and spiritual growth comes primarily from you acceptance and letting go of any emotional reaction to being labeled something.

    Have a look at the list and notice anything which you resist, i.e. it doesn’t fit in with your self-image or you wish it wasn’t part of you.

    – Charming

    – Witty

    – Irritable

    – Moody

    – Inquisitive

    – Nosy

    – Curious

    – Bored quickly

    – Talkative

    – Flexible

    – Constantly on the go

    – Worry more than average

    – Sociable

    – Organized

    – Versatile

    – Adaptable

    – Like change

    – Enjoy adventures

    – Enjoy freedom

    Then go through all the other astrological moon signs and work your way through those also.  We all posses the ability to display every trait so your sense of self-acceptance and self-esteem is dependent on you embracing all the gemini traits from this moon sign list, and all the other 11 as well.