Have you ever felt like someone has put a negative projection on you and no matter what you do, it seems like their mask has gotten stuck to your face? I’ve had a few of those kinds of encounters recently and am still working to lift myself out of a victim mind set — a “what’d I do-ooo??” state of being. So I’ve been asking myself sincerely (& without whining!) “How can I release my own stuff and come back to my heart-center?”
Companion “shaking qigong” practice
In my book, The Way of Joy, I talk about how I believe that we have the capacity to “compost” anything that happens in our lives and make it food for growth. By doing this, I believe we can literally embody our own integrity, even in the most extreme or unjust circumstances.
One of the people I quote in the book who has most inspired me is Hector Aristizábal. A human rights activist, psychologist, and actor-director who was severely tortured in Columbia, his country of origin, he is a counselor to other torture victims. He has said, “Any time you go through a difficult ordeal, it can awaken inner resources. Instead of being a victim, each person can learn the lesson his or her spirit needs to learn … Sometimes, in the ordeal, we find the seeds of our identity.”
What do you do to shift from feeling like a victim to reclaiming your power?
Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Classes and Workshops, Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.