2013: Section 11

Download 2013: Section 11

For those of you following along with this year’s theme, section 11 focuses on “Surviving Trauma”  from the twelve categories of shame list created by Dr. Brené Brown. Her research on shame-resilience and vulnerability demonstrates for us all, how and why to live a wholehearted life.

When it comes to surviving trauma, it really comes down to two simple options: we can choose to continue as victims or we can find a way to rise above it. As Dr. Brown states, we can come from place of powerlessness (stuck) or from a place of hope (resilience).

From Guidepost #3 of her book, “The Gifts of Imperfection”, she states that the very foundation of resilience is spirituality which she defines as:

“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives.”

Along with spirituality were these three other factors:

1. cultivating hope
2. practicing critical awareness
3. letting go of numbing and taking the edge off vulnerability, discomfort, and pain.

For more on this topic, please read both of these Dr. Brown books: The Gift of Imperfection and Daring Greatly

And by all means…if you are struggling at all with surviving trauma of any kind, please seek professional help and care. While what we offer here in this post is a good start, it’s always best to work with professionals.

May you find some comfort in coloring this month’s section of the 2013 Mandala of the Year.

joyfully,