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Celtic Web Art

Sacred Self


Emotional Baggage

By Bonnie Moss  2005-04 (c)

We all have them. It has many faces.
We carry them around us, We store them in the
remotest part of our brain, in the deepest chambers
of our hearts.We have them in our extensive database
of memories. 

Some are so close to the heart, it brings
out tears at the slightest provocation. Others may
feel anger, very deep resentments and may exhibit
anti-social or antagonistic behaviours .

Shadows follow and haunt many, in their dreams
or waking hours, in unlikely places, unexpected
and intimidating Uncontrollable anger that can 
lead to violence can explode without warning.

Others will live in denial and spend their lives
disconnected with the real world. Some will find
blame in everyone except themselves; it's always
the other person's fault. What about victims and
the victimizers?

Many are lost searching for something, they can
not identify. Something is missing. A mass of lonely
faces line the crowded streets, sit in public places, 
in schools, agonize through their day in the 
workplace,gather at churches perhaps to seek solace. 

Everyday,we see a vast sea of sad , depressed and 
unfriendly faces.Our roads are open avenues to 
lash out their frustrations,thus uncontollable 
road rage. Scary.

Excess emotional baggage demands a high price.
There are those who succumb to the weight of this
burden, it gets too much to bear. They find no
further reason to keep up the fight. 

Life loses its lustre, they find the world cruel, 
their existence meaningless.To them, the fight is 
over, if there ever was one.

There are many who go through life like driftwood,
let the current take them wherever, it does not 
matter anymore. Is our world this cruel?

What causes these emotional suffering?

Broken dreams, broken relationships, failed
careers, lost hopes, betrayals, violations, 
childhood trauma, or other forms of trauma and 
health issues.Social disgrace, financial disasters, 
poverty and addictions cast deep emotional scars 
to the most vulnerable members of the family 
and society.

Is our fast-paced society to blame? What about
the pursuit of material success, endless toys,
gadgets and exponential advances in technology. 
Fragile relationships, weakening family ties, 
unreasonable expectations of self and of others 
add to the already overstuffed emotional baggage.
Some carry them for a long, long time.

All is not lost, if we take a moment to listen 
to our deeper needs, beyond the physical. There 
is a flood of information, organizations, 
professionals and other resources most 
communities offer.

There are numerous websites that offer a
variety of information,there are groups and 
forums on the web who readily provide a support
system.

Deep emotional suffering is a critical issue that 
can no longer be ignored, by society and by those 
who suffer.There is more to life.

Wisdom of the ages from different cultures, and 
beliefs are revived or revised to suit the present 
psyche of society.It offers a holistic approach, 
involving the whole person's mind, body and spirit.

The wonders of medical and scientific research are
vast,although pill-popping is not the best answer.

Take stock of the weight of your emotional baggage.
Healing is open to those who embrace it.

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