When you are out and about, do you ever stumble upon a place that conjures up memories and feelings? I did several years ago when I found a coffee shop I used to frequent on the Upper East Side in NYC when I was in my 20’s. The reunion was grand. I sat and lunched with my son in this classic railroad-style eatery. He was the age I was when I first sat there. Surreal… The memories were faded, but I remembered the iconic clock. The picture that accompanies this Blog post is my flash freeze frame of what symbolizes a very significant period in my life. This post is about healing from buried memories and the negative feelings that accompany them.
The feelings that arose on that day were mixed; I waxed to when I was single with few friends in the vicinity. Grad school and work were challenging, too. I learned a lot living alone in a studio. Despite being very occupied with school and then work, I had feelings that I must have buried. Lunch with my son served as a “safe” time to feel and remember. Much time had passed, for I no longer lived in Manhattan. Life was fuller and richer without solitude and there were fewer obstacles to contend with. Joanie was grateful for “bumping into” this coffee shop. (There are no coincidences.)
What has helped me heal from visiting this haunt and other haunts through my life is talking about what I experienced. The good and the bad. All stories laid out – pulled out—have been necessary for review. I have shared New York stories in conversations for years now. With my intention to open up and simply allow memories to surface, I always surprise myself with what comes into my mind and out my mouth. The mind and the heart remember all. It’s when I’m ready to face discomfort that doors open and words fly. Feelings tag with these words. Sometimes poignant, other times bittersweet, my opening the recesses of my mind and heart has helped me heal difficult times from the past.
To return to a place, or even a person or thing is part of the human experience. Old haunts can continue to haunt or they can motivate us to feel what we need to heal. Each person has free will whether they are ready to uncover pain, find meaning, accept, have gratitude, feel, and release what does not serve them. I choose release. Do you?
The next time you find yourself in an old haunt, be it a person, place, or thing, consider healing if what surfaces is discomfort on any level. Whether it is big or small, it can be talked about in conversation, as a story, in a journal, or poem. When it’s out, it’s good. When it’s forgotten and buried, it longs for your attention so it may go Home. No lower vibration is natural or comforting. If one wishes its existence, it means it still serves them. As you probably know, when one is ready to heal, they will face the pain.
Find the strength to face your unhealed haunts that are buried. Ask yourself who, what, and where haunts you. Then, talk about it. You are strong and have the capacity to grow and flourish. If you aren’t yet able, strengthen self.
May old haunts serve to resurrect all that does not serve you in order for you to see that you are worthy of release. Stepping into Joy is your birthright.
Bless you,
~Joanie
