When Your Heart Is Breaking…Open

photo courtesy of john koliogiannis, Unsplash

“Sometimes the nearly unbearable beauty of the world overwhelms me, and I tremble with a felt-sense that the magnificence that saturates the cosmos surely reflects the possibility, even now, of human magnificence. And then, as if I’ve crossed an invisible bridge to a waypoint of despair, I wonder how the mysterious, self-organizing wild Earth can peacefully co-exist with the absurdities and catastrophes of human invention…” Geneen Marie Haugen

We are definitely seeing “the absurdities and catastrophes of human invention” these days. It can be hard to not be discouraged, fearful, angry, or despairing. It is likely your emotions and empathy have been strained to the max. Your heart is breaking.

What can you possibly do when it is all so complex, disturbing, and overwhelming? 

As you know, I come from a psycho-spiritual perspective, so I will share my thoughts from my worldview. 

Your sensitivity, empathy, intuition, and spirituality are your strengths. Your deep-thinking, persnickety, perfectionistic, analytical mind is your ally. Your curious, creative, multipotentiality serves you well. Your desire for justice and social responsibility is essential. Your sense of humor and access to joy is vital. There is no better time to understand who you are and what you have to offer. And to offer it.

From that place of self-understanding and self-acceptance, then, you find your true voice and your particular way to contribute. When you are facing your fears, you are less likely to project them onto others. When you are becoming conscious of your rage and grief, you find a path to peace for yourself and those around you. When you embrace the lonely child within, you step into your self-confidence and your generosity. When you trust your intuition and tune into your spirituality, you access insight, humor, and joy to guide your direction and your actions. 

Your deep inner work has the power to heal the legacy of your family line for past and future generations. It allows you to “co-exist with the absurdities and catastrophes” and to help transform them. 

None of this is easy, by the way. I should know. I have been working on myself for thirty+ years and I am not done yet! Deep personal and planetary transformation is a lifelong journey. That said, everything you do on the road, makes a difference. Everything. Do not dismiss the power of the healing path. 

The power of your vision. 

“…Yet the mysterious human imagination itself may be our best resource for experiential recovery of a vibrant, participatory, and wildly sacred Earth…” Geneen Marie Haugen

The power of your Love.

“Revolutions do not happen only in grand moments in public view but also in small pockets of people coming together to inhabit a new way of being. We birth the beloved community by becoming the beloved community.”   Valarie Kaur

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To my bloggEEs: These are challenging times as we all deal with the pandemic, climate change, and here in North America, on-going and unrelenting racism. I have found Valarie Kaur and Van Jones to be inspirational resources. In the comments, let us know how you are doing. How are you finding ways to have an impact?  What is it like in your part of the world?  Sending so much love. Thank you, as always, for being here.


Author: Paula Prober

I’m a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice based in Eugene, Oregon. I specialize in international consulting with gifted adults and parents of gifted children. I’ve been a teacher and an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon and a frequent guest presenter at Oregon State University and Pacific University. I’ve written articles on giftedness for the Eugene Register-Guard, the Psychotherapy Networker, Advanced Development Journal and online for psychotherapy dot net, Rebelle Society, Thrive, Introvert Dear, and Highly Sensitive Refuge. My first book, Your Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth, is a collection of case studies of gifted clients along with many strategies and resources for gifted adults and teens. My second book, Journey Into Your Rainforest Mind: A Field Guide for Gifted Adults and Teens, Book Lovers, Overthinkers, Geeks, Sensitives, Brainiacs, Intuitives, Procrastinators, and Perfectionists is a collection of my most popular blog posts along with writing exercises for self-exploration and insight.

19 responses to “When Your Heart Is Breaking…Open”

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  4. Paula Prober Avatar
    Paula Prober

    Share the link with us when you do!


  5. j'adore champagne Avatar
    j’adore champagne

    Hi Paula, I’ve been in Minneapolis for a few months. I’m horrified by what has happened, and keeps happening. I haven’t been able to take downtime during the pandemic as I’ve been essential…in retail…which has to me felt like “disposable”. In under-employed and feeling the pain of how so many try to get by in America. My coping mechanism is my camera; my desire to witness and record visually to share with my friends here and back home in the UK. But I feel like part of me is kept shut down, so I can function.


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      Oh my goodness. Minneapolis. I think the good news is that the Black Lives Matter movement is finding much support now from many different parts of American society. Real change may be possible right now. Van Jones has called it The Great Awakening. And, yes, we sensitive folks need to protect those sensitivities and empathies, even while we find our ways to take action.


      1. j'adore champagne Avatar
        j’adore champagne

        I hope to put a collection of the photos I’ve taken up on my wordpress…I’m just overwhelmed with some much other stuff at the moment. I’m finding it even hard to sit and focus. I so happy to see the BLM movement making real headway. Minnesota Nice has been a vision of a marketing campaign for far too long. Thank you for your words; I’m rereading parts of your book right now.


  6. Peg Avatar
    Peg

    I’m with you on all of the beauty, breathtaking beauty, of the whole world-wide PAUSE. More please!


  7. Touching the Dirt! Avatar
    Touching the Dirt!

    Thanks for the fabulous quote from Geneen!! Hope you don’t mind if I requote it!! God Bless!


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      Of course, share it. Just give her credit!


  8. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I love that Valarie Kaur quote. I’ve been feeling a bit impotent lately, not knowing the best way to move forward in support of my black friends and latino relatives. This wont stop me from acting in bigger ways should the opportunity arise, but it is comforting to realize that we have already been actively nurturing our community of openness and acceptance and that is in fact an action.


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      Thanks, Sarah. Valarie Kaur is doing important work. You might check her out for ideas on how to take action.


  9. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    Really connected with this post! My lonely child is awakening and seeking to find her confidence, the work is hard and these times are trying to block the growth. I so appreciate your being our guide through this awakening


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      It’s an honor to provide some guidance, Carol. Thank you for being you.


  10. Mercedes Avatar
    Mercedes

    “Work in progress”. That’s how I feel. There’s much to learn, much to discover, much to improve… Much to enjoy, and a great deal of love to give and receive. Love your blog, read you always! xx


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      Thank you, Mercedes. Glad to have you here.


  11. Pecheoiseau Avatar
    Pecheoiseau

    Beautiful post! Thank you!


  12. artyplantsman Avatar
    artyplantsman

    Thank you for this post Paula. I am definitely finding it hard to stay sane right now!

    The UK has handled the pandemic poorly, but then our government is not too dissimilar to yours. It does not help that a significant part of the population are flouting distancing now.


    1. Paula Prober Avatar
      Paula Prober

      Good to have you here, artyplantsman!

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