#5 The Formula

I know, I know, this probably should have been the first thing to come out, but I had other stuff on my mind then, so it’s coming out now. I realized there is a simple way to go about getting back up in the healthiest way possible. Here it is:Perseverance + introspection + healing = getting up

Let’s unpack this, shall we? First off, we have perseverance.

Perseverance

You absolutely can’t quit. It’s easy to make excuses. Sometimes those excuses are valid reasons, but if you give yourself an inch, you will take a mile. The goal of getting up is as much about facing the person in the mirror as it is about returning to whatever the thing is. If you let yourself quit in any way, it’s like you are running from those demons. The icky feeling won’t go away if you don’t face it. It will keep pushing you out of door after door until you get tired of abandoning everything in your life. But how do you square off with these demons? That leads to the second part of this equation. 

Introspection

Introspection means taking some time to intentionally look inward at everything going on. It’s not enough to simply go to parties if you are scared of crowds. It will help, but without some time to reflect, it won’t be enough. Your fear will simply put on a new face and terrorize you in some brand-new ways. The key is to really recognize everything that is going on in your head. Were you scared of crowds because you are afraid of someone you might run into? Do you simply not like the noise? Things like these will help you truly clear yourself up and to get back up stronger than ever. 

Healing

As the old Papa Roach song goes, “Diaries get you nothing but a lifelong lesson.” It’s not enough to simply document everything going on in your mind. You have to learn to correct it. Sometimes, getting your thoughts written down is most of the work. Once you do, your brain has a “click” moment, and starts to rearrange itself. Other times, however, some corrective work needs to be done. Maybe you’re talking down about yourself or your situation, and you need to take control and stop the thought patterns. Maybe you need to correct some ideas and argue yourself into better ones, showing yourself a new perspective. Maybe there’s someone you need to forgive (including yourself.) And, of course, you may be struggling so much that you need divine assistance. 

And, of course, there are nuances and topics to be addressed within each of these categories. The point is to see the big picture and to put it together for yourself. Before you truly commit to getting up, plan to make these three things a part of the process. Commit, before things get tough, not to quit on your new goals. Block out time that will be for nothing but reflection, and learn about ways to correct your behaviors. It may take time to do some trial and error in your process, but if you stick with it, you will have learned a lot about getting back up. And I do recommend praying into this process. Although I have had to put in work to help me get myself back up, most of the blueprinting has been God’s idea. Everyday He finds some way to communicate the game plan to me. Sometimes it’s something on youtube, other times it’s a song, and sometimes it’s through blindly taking the first step. My complete life-pivot has been thanks to Him, and very little else. Who knows where I’d be otherwise. 

So I pray that you let God reach into your heart and to rearrange your normal way of doing things. I pray you find the strength to rise again, and that you discover the insights to heal, recovering not only your former self, but a brand-new, even stronger you!

Until next time

May Peace be your Guide.