If asked whether humans are superior to animals, many of us would have to say “yes.” Yet animals have something we, as humans, long for. They have the ability to face danger, frustration, or fear and then return to normal as if nothing had happened.
You may have seen this happen while watching a nature show. A deer will be running from a tiger, frightened and terrorized, only to narrowly escape behind a bush where the tiger cannot reach her. The tiger walks away, and will look elsewhere for a meal, while the deer shakes off her excess energy and starts grazing for her next meal.
If we as humans had a similar experience, what do you think would happen? Certainly, we would likely tell the story again and again to anyone who would listen. Maybe we would call our Doctor and get started on medications for anxiety. Most likely we could never go into the wilderness again without intense fear of repeating the experience; the list goes on and on. I think you understand the point I am trying to make.
As a mental health counselor, I treat many people with depression. To be honest, it can be a challenging client to work with. As I interview someone for the first time, I am fairly certain something has happened in his past he regrets or cannot let go of. It may be a childhood issue, a bad decision, a failed marriage, a missed career opportunity, who knows?
Regardless of the reason, I am fairly certain he is blocked at his root chakra. Our root chakra is located at the base of the tailbone and will become blocked when we don’t feel grounded. If we are holding onto the past in a negative way, our foundation becomes affected.
I have been surprised to learn that even though clients want help for depression, they often have difficulty releasing it. Many times I ask a very tough question “why are you committed to suffering?”
Maybe it is because they don’t know how to live their lives without suffering? Maybe they don’t feel worthy of happiness? As you can see, depression can be a complex issue involving layers and layers of pain, fear, and regret.
Although we cannot change the past, we can choose to react to it differently. You don’t have to keep thinking “I am not worthy or I am a victim.” You can view the past as an experience to learn from, or better yet, not pass it on.
Remember behaviors are learned, and unfortunately, we pass down hurt and pain when we don’t learn to let it go.
About the Author
Denise Schonwald, M.S., L.M.H.C. is a Licensed Medical Health Counselor located in Brooksville, Florida. She specializes in the treatment of many disorders including anxiety, depression, panic, grief, behavioral issues, trauma, marital, and family issues.
