Flashbacks and Weightlifting Part 2

Taking the steps necessary to cross over a trail that leads up the mountain of emotional freedom.

Flashbacks and Trauma  

It was the 4th of July, and we were at a party. There were a lot of people sitting in the back yard of a friends house. When the fireworks started, one guy went into serious convulsions. He was terrified, and his body shook uncontrollably. He was a war veteran living through a flashback of war. He experiences war flashbacks every time he hears fireworks. Many people experience flashbacks caused by traumatic wounds that have not been healed. Violence of any kind can trigger lifelong flashbacks if they are not healed. But a flashback is an extension of a wound, and healing is possible. It is not easy, but neither is weightlifting. Before we outline the steps involved in our weight lifting process, we will identify some of the weights we will be lifting.

A solid plan can be a lighthouse during a flashback storm.

 A traumatic memory generally does not fade away. If it does, the fading is temporary. The removal of fear from the memory can become the mechanism by which character becomes stronger. Self-discipline is the weight lifting program that will help build character and remove fear. Suppressing the memory is like tamping a powder keg. Eventually, it will become pressurized and explode as it is triggered by an event reminiscent of the original trauma. Therefore, a person must find a way to deal with the traumatic memory.

 A flashback is only one damaging byproduct of trauma. Self injury that is often unconsciously inflicted can be even more damaging, and will feed flashbacks.  When guilt and shame are associated with trauma, it is possible that the victim will begin to blame himself or herself for the trauma. In some instances, the inability to remove shame causes the victim to act out in shameful ways - as though they deserve to be mistreated as punishment for their feelings of guilt. Low self-esteem pushes the victim into the pit of self-denigration.

Safe on the edge of a flashback. Enjoy the view of how far you have come.

The victim's lack of forgiveness for both the perpetrator and themself, can wreak havoc on recovery attempts. Within the unconscious mind may be the seeds of revenge and the desire to make someone else suffer. A friend of mine got into a fight and was beaten badly by 7 people. He later hooked up with a friend and they went looking for the 7 people to get revenge, but couldn't find them.  They eventually killed 3 people who had nothing to do with his beating. People filled with pain and fear will eventually hurt themselves and other people. More importantly, the history of my friend includes a childhood of horrible abuse. In this way, victims of violence become perpetrators when they flashback on what they've experienced. Men punish women for childhood abuse suffered at the hands of other women. The same holds true for women punishing men. The cycle of trauma continues: the victim becomes the victimizer and continues the victimization.

Perseverance will reveal sun rays of hope that bring warmth to your soul.

Memories and Muscles

Weightlifting causes the breakdown of muscle that will rebuild itself through rest and nutrition. The process of Flashback Weightlifting, or breaking the fear down into manageable terms, leads to the ability to rebuild courage and self-esteem. The goal is to rebuild the memory without the attachment of fear, and to rid oneself of any associated guilt. Take some time and identify the weights that you are going to lift. Make a list of possible flashback causes and identify anything that you believe could be a trigger. Weightlifting cannot begin until you properly identify the weights that will be lifted. The next chapter will focus on weightlifting techniques. It is important to note that all people are individuals. Every plan of action needs to be tailored to the individual. There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all.

A team of trusted friends will help you bag the peak of emotional wellness.

Turning Pain Into Gain

It's important to focus on yourself as a valued and highly esteemed person.You are the only you that's ever been created. If you don't become the best you that you were created to be, then you will have wasted you. You are special, you need to believe that and own that. Peel back the layers of fear on your heart the same way that the birch tree sheds it's bark in the forest. Let the wind of positivity blow a breeze of self belief upon your heart, and breathe your way into a new life of worth and strength. Lift whatever is weighing you down, and allow yourself to rebuild, stronger than ever before.

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Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.