'EMOTIONAL DETOX'

"letting go of what is dead lets me step into what is more alive."

an external makeover feels great. an internal cleanse, refreshing. what about an emotional detox?

i recently wrote about our gifts liying next to our wounds and the process of facing those wounds in order to access our gifts. i'm talkin' about pushing through the heavy stuff - the heartbreak, dissapointment, shame and grief that you share with 6.5 billion people. there may have been times where these feelings were so palpable you wanted to die, or tried to. but you are still here. a PART of you needed to die, that painful part that was eveloping your life. i want to show you how to move it out of the way so the rest of you can live.

this is a symbolic excersise to 'end' a painful chapter in your life. a funeral or an 'emotional detox'.

· select a site. (away from your home, a quiet place of reflection)

· set aside 'grave' markers. (stones or flowers work well)

· choose a symbol to bury. (a piece of clothing, photograph, letter, or trinket that represents your painful chapter. ie: miscariage/abortion = childs toy or shoes)

· write. (a song, poem or letter to be shared. a letter to your 'wounded self' from a 'healed self' is powerful)

· form your procession. (gather a close group of people who have and will support you)

· commence with the funeral. (procession to the site, bury symbol, share words. take your time)

· celebrate. (have a party, share a meal, embrace the love and support and savor a new beginning)

each one us carries weight from the past, some more then others. you dont need to have a funeral for just one thing, and if there are a few people who have shared a similar loss, and you feel comfortable sharing, help their healing and invite them. signifying the challenges we've faced in life acts as a poiniant reminder that we survived. life will keep putting weight on your shoulders, but i do hope this excersise has given you a tool for lightening the load.

~nova

p.s

a few months back, i wrote an experience about 'healing the hurt' in a different way. click the link to read more.