There comes a time in our healing when we start to access those parts of us we had thought were long buried. Those memories, stories or ways of being we were sure we had locked away never to be found again. And the last thing we want to do is go back there! Why would we, when the first time we experienced so much pain.

We know, nothing just goes away. Shamanically everything is recycyled. So we release our dross and have it transform into something useful. The manure of our thoughts, bodies and emotions released to the earth, to the elements to bring something new and better into being.

In the same way our emotions, those painful memories/stories do not just go away because we wish it so. They need to be heard and honoured and above all integrated. When seeking balance in our lives, when seeking to be the Masters of our existence, we are called to know and love all parts of ourselves. Not just the pretty bits, but the parts of us that are screaming and angry, the parts of us we may be ashamed of. And we do this by being in that place where we ask those parts what it is they have to say. What’s their story? What do they need to release.

You may feel these stories in parts of your bodies. An ache that wont go away, a chronic condition that affects a part/s of your body. Well ask that part of your body what does it need to heal, what does it need to release and how. You don’t need any tricks for this. Just a quiet space and the intention to connect deep inside yourself and have that dialogue. Allow what comes up to be honoured, not judged, just accepted for the Truth that is your Truth.

You may feel these emotions in you as an errant child. That part of you that seems unable to move on from a traumatic event or in life. When we experience a trauma of whatever kind, a part of us can get frozen in time. At times frozen in the pain of that experience. And now we have a part of us that always feels 10,12,5- whatever age this happened at. And as the adult us goes about making decisions, trying to change jobs, move home, start relationships, we feel that a part of us is holding us back. Often it is this child part of us, this part of us frozen in time. That 5 year old in you doesn’t want to move home/jobs- they are scared of change. That 10 yr old in you doesn’t know your partner not remembering your favourite movie doesn’t mean they love you even less. Shamanically we would say this is a form of Soul Loss. The trauma has led to a part of you escaping and so that part is still living out the trauma in another reality. Or perhaps has chosen to protect itself through behaviour that may isolate you.

And some people will call this the Inner Child in you. Whatever term one uses- it is important not to get caught up in semantics and to know we are talking about a part of us that feels detached from the adult daily functioning part of us. And more importantly it feels like it is getting in the way of us living the life we wish to.

Now in a healing, it is often this part of us that resists the very thing we are looking for: healing. Why? Through Fear usually. Fear of change or fear of  not being safe. So it is the job of the adult us, the part of us that came to the healing to re assure all parts of ourselves during this process. Whether through meditation, a treat at the end of a day- a healthy treat- self nurturing, self love, healthy self talk. Think about it this way- should a frightened child be stood in front of you- upset and resisting doing something that is good for them- how would you react? Would you force them kicking and screaming? Would you shout at them and tell them off for being so silly and to grow up? Or would you talk to them gently, coerce them, offer them a reward, re assure them? And which will get you the result you want?

Resistance shows us we have reached a hot area. And that is a good thing. It says this is something we really do need to face and let go off. Resistance is sometimes a part of us trying to protect us, because in the past we may have had our trust abused in some way. And so it is right we honour that part of us that wants to protect us so fiercely. But that does not mean that we submit to it. We still need to push through and find the best ways to do this. For we keep an eye on the end in sight- that goal that we hope for that brought us to a space of healing in the first place. How much do you want that goal? How much do you want to change your life? If you ever listen to fitness instructors in a class, they motivate their students by telling them another 10 repetitions and they will be closer to getting into those jeans, to sitting on the beach in that bikini. And frankly it often seems to work! Or why else go to the class?

So why lose that motivation and focus just because you are in a healing situation. It is not for your healer/teacher to drag you kicking and screaming to your Power and self Mastery. That negates the very essence of being in one’s Power. If you felt called to get healing because you wanted to change something in your life. Then when the resistance hits, when it feels like you are walking in mud. Pull on those wellies and keep your motivation and sight clear. What did you want to change, what did you want to bring into your life? It will not just come to you while you sink into the quick sand of your emotions. You shall need to leverage yourself out of the morass with that inner fire that says I want Love, Health, Abundance, Peace- whatever it is- in my life! And I want it now! Not next year- now!

Why take into 2013 that which has held you back for so long? The time is now to do the work. The time is now to harness the incredible energies we find ourselves in and place all our focus and fire into manifesting that life we wish for. From the heart, from our authenticity and in so doing be in our Power.

How do you want to step into 2013?