HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · AUGUST 2017
THE EXTRA-STRENGTH LIGHTENING BOLT :
Why You Should Never Lose Hope
Sometimes breaking through the pain of negativity takes an extra “ jolt .” This one ' s for anyone in desperate need of some positivity and inspiration . " Don ' t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart ." – Jim Carrey If you prefer to listen , here ' s the podcast version of this post on iTunes and Soundcloud .
If you ' re in need of some heartfelt inspiration , I ' d like to offer you this video of Jim Carrey ' s commencement speech from a while back . What I find so profound is his understanding of the layers of life and humanity , as well as what universally traps us and halts us on our way to becoming our best selves . The reason I am sending this , ( aside from the fact that it ’ s awesome ) is that for me , this video is in itself a magical tool for those moments of random suffering . Let me elaborate .
If you are on a path to becoming your best self , you might encounter – at random – moments in your life , or days or weeks even , that you lose touch with the brightness and joy that lives inside you . For whatever reason , you might become trapped in a mood or be overcome once again by your conditions . And often this dark cloud will feed itself – it will become more “ true ,” more weighty and real , and with your inability to find the salve , the more blind to the falsity of this mood , you become . This is when , once again , we are secretly removed of our power – by fear . Fear that “ we will always be this way ” and “ how did I believe I could let this part of who I am go ” and “ the hope I felt was false after all .”
It is during these moments that “ extrastrength ” meds come in handy . And by meds , I mean a profound “ jolt ” from outside of us : the affects of someone with a lightning bolt of truth that can reach you through that cloud – that lie that is your chemical fear – and “ jolt ” you out of that physical mood / moment and back into your awareness of joy . It ’ s like a hard-restart when the negativity programs won ’ t stop running .
That jolt is why we need each other . It is the truth behind the statement , “ You are okay . You will always be okay .” Because you are not alone , and you never will be . You don ’ t have to do this growth and change alone – you can do it with million of others who are pulling you out of the darkness by a thick and hefty rope . You are powerful and strong alone , and you are even more powerful because you are loved . You are loved by strangers and your fellow man – you are loved by me .
Sometimes when clouds stick in our heads , we need those reminders from outside of us , to remind us of who we are , where we are , and that it ’ s – for real - okay . We need others to see us , to be our true mirror – because those damn clouds – they fog up that mirror .
So that is why I offer you this as a way to remember in any moment of pain or greyness or suffering – you always have “ The Extra-Strength Lightning Bolt .” And that is the grounding perspective of the millions and millions of people around you . You just have to start madly seeking the lightning bolt that ’ s going work for your cloud – literally Google it and look for it and ask for it out loud ; invite it from everywhere and anywhere . Don ’ t stop until you find the insight / the YouTube video / the words from a random friend / the passage in the random book / the one-liner in the random podcast – that rings that bell of truth that breaks through your cloud .
Those old states of being can be very strong and can sometimes take hold without a moments notice . The most important thing to remember about those moments of despair – is to not give them any weight – no matter how much they try to convince you , don ’ t listen to them or try to figure them out . Recognize that they are false , they are worthless , they are old bad habits , and you need to find that rope to pull yourself out to “ awareness ” and the reality of who you are .
In a very literal sense , using this tool is about getting your grounded awareness back through as many external methods as possible . Because when it comes to big “ viruses ” in our programming , sometimes the fix has to come from outside of us . If you ’ re not experiencing a moment like this now , just keep it with you in that little coin slot in your jeans to pull out if you grow trapped in a dark mood that is begging for validation .
You are always at your core , okay . You are good , your life is beautiful . Just don ’ t stop grabbing ropes until you catch the right one that pulls you out . Keep going and don ’ t stop . While you ' re in a place of stability and happiness , reinforce your cocoon – your pillownest of love and inspiration around yourself , because in these moments those will be the ropes that pull you back onto the ground where you truly exist . Loved , standing tall , and basking in the sun .
By Sarah May Bates
18 HEALTHY MAGAZINE