When the Way Out Is Through (guest post by MSI Press Author, Julia Aziz)

I think I'm done with "How are you?" as a casual way of greeting someone when we're passing by. It seems like that phrase should be reserved for when we are truly wanting to sit down and listen to one another. I've never figured out how to give an authentically brief answer, and what a loaded question these days! Some serious collective shadow work is being done by and through us now. When I say "shadow work," I mean facing the parts of ourselves we've disowned or pretended didn't exist, both on an individual level and a systemic one. My true essence, like yours, is love. Also, there are times I have been inconsiderate, pushy, dismissive, greedy, stubborn... all the painful things humans can be. These shadow parts need compassionate attention, for they come out in deadly ways when ignored or denied. When anger is safely raged, felt, and released, it can become empowerment, a clarifying of needed. Unworthiness and guilt, when spoken and cared for, can lead to making amends and a renewed sense of purpose. Like brushing teeth, there will always be shadow work to do. When we learn to navigate the intensity within ourselves though, we can show up to the intensity out there with more accountability, courage, and love.      I just finished reading The Shift, a nurse's memoir I had borrowed from the library right before all the libraries closed down. In it, the author talks about how important it is in medicine to "get ahead of the pain," i.e. take pain killers before the discomfort becomes overwhelming. I think, when it comes to emotional health and personal accountability, most of us need to slow down and not get so far ahead of the pain. It's healthy to learn how to be with discomfort. It's important to feel the emotional distress hidden beneath layers of control and conditioning. We've been issued a grand invitation now to let the tears come and rail at the heavens, to enter a holy rage and a holy grief.  Read remainder of post HERE. Read posts by and about Julia Aziz and her book, Lessons of Labor, HERE. While you are at the MSI Press website, listen to a podcast with the MSI Press managing editor and author, Julia Aziz.