When speaking and listening to others (regardless of their age), I discover that those individuals least willing to listen and/or discuss life issues (that means most things) usually have allowed anger to dominate their life perspective in such a way that their life-view filter is tainted with bitterness. The biggest disappointment is that more often than not, that same individual has developed such a pattern of denial about this fact that he/she cannot even admit (or be willing to admit) that this is the case. I have become convinced that people need to pause, take an honest look at their life (usually with someone who knows them best), and address the “elephant in the room.” Heaven knows that there is currently a ton of anger floating around these days.
Having counseled my fair share of individuals and couples throughout the years, I have witnessed the power of denial and what that can do to a person. Denial always leads to decay in one or more areas of one’s life. And there’s a lot of rot in our society. But, can we begin to deal with this rot and seek out a better way of living and stop dying one ugly day at a time?
Let me cut to the chase. I also believe that there remains to be a lot of undealt with trauma, anger, bitterness, and unresolved conflict, often from many years in the past. Let’s start being honest with ourselves. Let’s confront the past and call it for what it is. Let’s stop the denial and take a true look at ourselves in the mirror. I don’t care what you look like. We all have scars. We all can feel ashamed. We all have walked around with only hurt to balance on our every step. I GET IT. YOU’RE ANGRY. BUT DO YOU?
Don’t wait anymore. Begin that walk of honesty and journey towards better health, one step at a time. If not me, then find someone you trust and just start sharing. We need each other more than ever right now. Let’s get healthy together. You rock! Believe that.
Mike