Introspection...

My ears were ringing from the high volume of the band playing on stage.  I was seated at the head table of a very popular and public fundraiser.  My youngest daughter was the focus of the evening.  People were milling about, some with drinks in hand laughing and carrying on; others wore stoic expressions as I no doubt displayed as well.  We weren't there to celebrate anything really.  It was more of a rallying call and a show of support for Hollie, my daughter, who had just been diagnosed with cancer. 

Ever been physically present but psychologically disconnected?  Normally I practice it on purpose and typically use the technique as a method of self-examination and introspection.  It typically provides amazing clarity and increases overall self-awareness and can be quite liberating.  But sometimes life deals a shitty hand that literally thrusts us into that disconnected state of mind when we least expect it and causes us to become psychologically separated from our physical environment by the very factors surrounding the "surprise".  This was just such an occasion as I sat there at the table thinking about the very reasons that brought me there.

Hearing the news of Hollie's diagnosis shook our family to its core and caused us all to immediately take stock of what truly matters in our lives both individually and collectively.  I can say with certainty that the unwelcome news of her diagnosis has caused us all to contemplate the fragility of our own mortality, examine our own personal values and relationships, and take stock of what's truly important in our lives.

The psychological reaction to introspection is an innate human defense mechanism that serves to protect us from the full impact of significant emotional events.   This reaction, if properly recognized, can be spiritually rewarding, insightful and help to develop an appreciation for things we typically take for granted.  If used correctly, it can offer the solace of a "safe harbor" where we can escape to dream, to heal, and to make sense of things that really make no sense at all. 

This blog serves as but one of the methods I use as a means of introspection.  I invite you to share your thoughts on the subject and encourage you not to be afraid of the concept and practice as it is truly an experience that inevitably leads to a deeper level of self-awareness, healing and personal discovery that continues to manifest itself in ways that'll truly surprise you.