EmpathicWriter :: Celebrating depth + sincerity.
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Three Ways To Benefit From Strong Triggers

11/11/2023

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These days (daze!), there is no shortage of people or circumstances that may annoyingly trigger you. Triggers are also invitations. Below are three ways I am learning to face them with grace:


​#1.  Level It Up


via GIPHY


Leveling up a strong trigger is choosing to behave as a modern-day alchemist, and deciding to transmute lead (something crappy), into gold (something magnificent). More modern words for this ancient practice includes "beautification" and "upcycling."

EXAMPLE:  As long as I can remember, I was triggered by the normalization of social shallowness + insincerity. It drove me bananas! I only found relief to this widespread conditioning by doing my transmutative part to normalize social depth + sincerity.



#2.  Blend It Into Your Being

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​Walking the path to Wholeness includes being humble enough to learn from all situations, and update an operative belief that you've come to see is not fully true.

EXAMPLE:  Stoicism was once a strong trigger for me. It is a philosophical school of thought that promotes being unmovable by both pain and pleasure. While I easily celebrate its foundation upon virtuous behavior, and respect for natural law... as an impassioned being with strong emotions, I (wrongly) felt it invalidated my natural way of being. It seemed to restrain or dismiss divine femininity, and I was also unaware of any melanated folks advancing it. So, as a brown woman... stoicism caused me to feel twice excluded.

But beneath the surface of those observations, Wisdom showed me that including certain stoic traits -- like reason, logic, resilience and stabilized consistency -- all empower me to make better use of my emotions. It liberates and energizes me to integrate the strengths of something I once saw as oppositional.


#3.  Rise Above It

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Some scenarios are too toxic or degrading to be dealt with at all. Self-love and self-respect -- (which are two active expressions of Wisdom) -- will make it clear to you when it's time to stop engaging, and start elevating. Do just like that gorgeous, fuchsia moon... and rise.


EXAMPLE:  I once suffered from a naive disbelief that a person could pose as a friend, and actually be able to cooperate with harm coming to me. Of course I know that all people -- including myself -- are capable of unknowingly hurting someone. But it was a horrific shock to learn, (and more than once!) that relational betrayal can be planned and intentional. I am imperfect, but I do not possess malice... so it took a long time for me to accept the reality of maliciousness in someone I once loved and trusted. When a venomous rattlesnake is revealed, be thankful for the notice that it's time to leave the snakepit beneath you. 


Next Up... Healing Meditations

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​I'll be closing the year preparing + sharing a free series of healing meditations for:

* Your Inner CHILD :: Lovingly revisit + a review a past, root hurt. This is never to wallow, and only to bless + release.

* Your Inner ARTIST :: A fresh take on creativity, form, format, aMUSEment, imagination, inspiration + intuition.

* Your Inner ENTREPRENEUR :: Get clear on the service, influence, impact, legacy + success that your wise-heart most longs for.
​
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    An Existential Journal
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    The question "How are you?" is PROFOUND.

    ​But it has been watered-down to a synonym for "Hello."

    Forced or fake auto-responses of obligated okay-ness are expected.

    (And if you are going through something tragic, it really doesn't matter! Every social encounter OPENS with this well-established Ritual of Insincerity.)

    The question "How are you?" prompts an answer that begins with "I AM _____________." 

    This means many times each day, you are invited to SPEAK THE MOST POWERFUL STATEMENT that can be spoken of yourself.

    And the socially-expected thing to do, is be QUICK + SLICK with your answer.

    For a change... TAKE YOUR TIME, and tell your truth. 
    ✍🏾​
​All content is created + shared by Erika Harris.

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E M P A T H I C W R I T E R . C O M
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​​Love is where we come from.  
💜    Life is finding our way back.
Be sovereign in your thoughts, and mindful in your actions.
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