HEALING FROM LOST YEARS

[A Smallanyana Thread]

The pain and the hurt many go through when they realise they gave their best years to people and ventures that were propelled upward while they remained mere debris of the blast off has crippled them to a "life sentence" of hopelessness and deep depression.

Many try and seek help but the psychological damage is way deeper than medicine (western or traditional) could ever reach. The most vicious attack (especially one done over time) cripples the mind because that is the source of where everything good (and bad) is born.

When the mind is not ready, healing can never take place.

Same applies to faith - when the mind is not ready, manifestation is not possible.

As much as bitterness, envy, jealousy, and resentment become somewhat of a norm to those who haven't healed from their lost years, the above mentioned traits also become chains that bind one's feet thus making progress impossible.

You literally just watch the world go by.

The first step to healing from the burden and the pain of lost years (before requesting external assistance) is :

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY.

A debatable issue sometimes because some were exploited while in their immature years, but we accept our role in all that transpired.

The next step is FORGIVENESS.

Most take forgiveness as something one does for or to the other person/ people BUT forgiveness always starts with SELF!

You have to forgive yourself in order to put your life in gear to start moving forward and accelerate at the pace of healing.

The 3rd step is AFFIRMATION.

Time hasn't passed you by. The gift of age is experience and the gift of trauma is being able to pull others up from the holes they've been thrown in - because you've been there before.

In your lane is room to re-invent yourself and be restored.

The last step is Daily, Measurable Action.

Pulling your mind out the gutter of lost years is work, REAL WORK, and you have to be willing to put in the work.

As much as "life is short" it also is long because no one knows the day they'll leave this physical realm.

Invest in yourself daily with measurable action and rewards. Despite the challenges you might face because amalanga awafani, pat yourself on the back for making it through the day. Before you know it you'd have made it through the month, then a couple more months, then years.

Joel 2:25

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. (NIV)

When it comes to lost years, restoration starts inward. It takes a decision, followed by action, to not give in.

1. Taking Responsibility.
2. Forgiving Yourself Before Forgiving Others.
3. Affirmation/ Re-Affirmation.
4. Daily and Measurable Action

Makwande Ukukhanya Niphile Bomakhi