THE POWER OF SELF-REFLECTION:
SEARCHING INSIDE YOURSELF FOR INNER STRENGTH:
My own Journey towrads mental transformation came at a time of PERSONAL DESPERATION.
In this article I share my personal experience of hitting rock bottom & how that period of desperation became a catalyst for internal introspection & profound mental transformation.
“The pain & stress I experienced was colossal. I was sleeping very little, my mind was in constant turmoil. Every single facet of my life was falling apart. My health was suffering. I got shingles three times in the space of eighteen months, the result of dealing with chronic stress. I used to walk down to the sea at 3,4 & 5 am & just stand there on a high rock face over the ocean in the pitch-black darkness of the night. Contemplating my situation & circumstances. Some nights it was freezing cold or pouring rain or calm with only the powerful sound of the Atlantic Ocean waves crashing against the rocks below me. I cried floods of tears. I was aching inside. I could feel my whole body screaming for mercy, my mind, my heart & my stomach. I wanted the torture to end. It felt like being held in a vice & it was getting tighter by the minute. At times it was hurting to breathe. I felt so alone & deserted by everyone. All I had to do was let myself fall in as I leaned forward again & it would all end. I COULDN’T DO IT.” – excerpt from my best selling book ‘MIND OVER MOUNTAINS.’
I was at my BREAKING POINT. All I could see was the darkness all around me. Engulfing me in a cloud of despair & self-torture. I hated myself & I blamed myself. My landscape was cold & unforgiving. The wind howled at me with vicious verocity. I could only feel pain & pressure & stress. My body was suffering from the onslaught & it can only take so much before the mind follows to an eventual crash.
The internal conversations that we have are very important. This internal monologue guides our actions, our thought progression & how we act & conduct ourselves. My state of desperation forced me to discover the true necessity for mental transformation. I had become a man lost & stumbling through my life. I began to look within & to self-reflect. I knew about being strong. I was strong & I had proven that before. I summoned that strength & my journey within kick-started a necessary mental transformation.
I had to help myself along the perilous path where I found myself. I had to accept & allow for situations outside my control, for wrong decisions, for shortfalls & stumbles. I picked myself back up & extended a kind hand to myself. I began to treat myself with warm, positive & gentle words. I recognised I am only human & needed to be kind to myself. I could not look in the mirror before this, I hated myeslf. Now when I looked, I began to see a different picture. I realised I was still standing despite everything. I was looking inward to my real character. This was my survival mechanism. I focused on my strenghts & values.
I prioritised self-care & self-compassion. I engaged in activities that brought me joy. Walking & cycling were having a positive impact on my mental well-being. I regularly met with one or two friends who were positive & constructive & created a postive energy. I embraced my vulnerability & began to transform my mental health. I stopped blaming myself. I reached out for professional help & worked with a coach for several months.
I stood up & started to clear a path for myself. To deal with what I could & leave the rest. It was extremely difficult at times. I dealt with limiting beliefs using a positive growth mindset. I learned & grew from my experiences.I began to adapt to my circumstances while building my resilience. I utilised my strongest traits. A gowth mindset, grit, will power & persistence I needed to love, appreciate & accept myself.
“WE MAY ENCOUNTER MANY DEFEATS, BUT WE MUST NOT BE DEFEATED” – Maya Angelou Poet & Writer.
Desperation often serves as a turning point, which has the power to propell us towards self-reflection, inner growth & personal development. In our darkest times there is always the potential for internal transformation. By embracing vulnerability, seeking support, questioning limiting beliefs, cultivating resilience & prioritizing self-care, we can transform our mental well-being.
By delving into our inner world, we gain a deeper understanding of our true capabilities & unlock hidden potential & unused & yet to be discovered talents.The process allows us to uncover & address the limiting beliefs, fears & insecurities that have been holding us back. When we find & connect with our inner strength we become more resilient & face challenges with gretaer courage & determination. It allows us navigate uncertainities & set backs with a sense of calm & confidance, It empowers us to make positive choices aligned with our values & aspirations. For me self-reflection & tapping into my inner strength, has not only enhanced my self-esteem & self-belief but it has also enabled me to lead a more fulfilling & purposeful life.
“YOUR VISION WILL BECOME CLEAR ONLY WHEN YOU CAN LOOK INTO YOUR OWN HEART. WHO LOOKS OUTSIDE DREAMS, WHO LOOKS INSIDE, AWAKES” – Carl Jung – Swiss Psychiatrist & Psychoanalyst.
