Comments on: Meandering Michele’s Mind: Mandela, Trauma & Healing

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:14:33 +0000

@Mindy – I love “I left feeling uncertain but proud” — that so encapsulates so many moments of healing!! Your post-EMDR experience is absolutely normal. (BTW: if that persists, you might try another info processing technique that’s more gentle: Emotional Freedom Technique, or Thought Field Therapy. For info check out this page: http://healmyptsd.com/treatment/information-processing-therapy.) The imagery of being unbowed stuck with me, too.

@ Leslie — Isn’t this great? I had never seen it before. I like having PTSD anthem’s and this is a great one. (I also love John Mayer’s song, ‘In Repair’.) In the words and images of others we find pieces of our own soul. Knowing we’re not alone always gives a little burst of strength, doesn’t it? And a prescription for what to do. Whew, it’s all so exhausting. Good thing there’s a whole community!

By: Leslie Kung

Leslie Kung — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:06:56 +0000

I LOVE that poem. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m thinking of writing a piece on self-guided healing, and so much of that is really just deciding to be the master of your fate, acknowledging and respecting your inner light.

These lines were especially poignant for me:
“I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.”

There is nothing more scary and awesome, yet freeing, than the realization of our own self-determination. Thanks, Michele!

By: Mindy

Mindy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:23:20 +0000

I needed this today. I started EMDR last night. I went in ready to battle this thing and I think I fought a pretty good fight for the first round. I left feeling uncertain, but proud. My night was punctuated with triggers and anxiety and followed by a nightmare-filled sleep. I woke up feeling discouraged and unsure. I was grasping for some sort of push or encouragement to continue with my battle plans. I love the entire poem. I think the stanza that stands out the most for me is:

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

I know I am going to have some down times, but I am still ready for battle. I can keep my head up and push on.