Finding Your Gold

The purpose of this reflection is to initiate a curiosity about finding our hidden strengths. Carl Jung says we have a shadow side to our personality. Our shadow projects our shame and our unworthy feelings which we try to hide, but it also contains our  strengths, hidden like precious gold, waiting to be unearthed. As children we are vulnerable and hide attributes which displease authority figures; offended by our boldness, precociousness, our cocky retorts, our exuberance, and stubbornness etc. You find often that the parts you have hidden are integral to you and even your potential successes. As you find and embrace those qualities you become more integrated. We hid those parts to survive initially, if we were loud and outspoken we learnt to bury our voice. Now the invitation is to find those hidden parts.

Hidden down in the shadow — strengths like boundaries were called selfishness; ambition or confidence might be hiding as arrogance.  Our voice, being able to stand in front of an audience and sensitivity are often seen as unacceptable. Without our gold we get by but just think how much more expansive our life might be and how we could flourish if we use our strengths. The gold we hide is part of our blessing.

Sometimes we might notice, as I did, on one occasion that I was jealous of someone else’s achievements. I felt guilty for feeling jealous but then when I admitted my feelings I saw that my jealousy revealed something positive: a deep desire to achieve something in the same line. It was blogging. That was 17 years ago. Of course we all have our own style and voice so my blog was different and unique to me. It took two tries with bloggerspot before I found wordpress which is when my enjoyment of blogging really took off.

What reactions might you have noticed? Maybe it’s harsh judgements, criticism, irritation, anxiety? Whatever emotion is coming up for you it’s normally either an intense feeling or repetitive niggling feeling. You might even think it is a bad habit. Once you notice it — it’s important to look with compassion and see what it might be telling you. Sometimes one can re-frame it but other times it is easier to uncover it when talking to a trusted friend or counsellor.

Now that we’ve reflected, we could try this exercise…

For those who would rather listen

Take a seat

or lie in a comfortable position.

Close your eyes and relax. 

Listen to the surrounding sounds.

Take a Big breath in and slowly let it out.

It’s like getting the cobwebs and musty air out of your lungs and mind.

Big breath in and out again. Like you are sighing.

When you feel relaxed…

Imagine you are climbing a mountain. …

See yourself slowly walking up and up…and up

At some point you reach a path that takes you to a cave. You are with a companion. Someone you trust. They have a torch lighting up the way for you.

As you explore further in the cave you find an underwater lake. The torch shimmers across the water but to your surprise there’s something glowing at the bottom.

Note what you feel… Curiosity… Excitement… Weariness … Uneasiness?

Sometimes we fear finding something new about ourselves

but take heart

this is your gold.

You might like to imagine reaching into the water

or diving down to grab hold of the gold.

You might have a sense of what it is

or it might just be a shape.

When you find the gold bring back it up to the surface

and put it in your backpack for further investigation later

or you might already know what it is.

Come slowly back out of the cave

And down the mountain down, down,

Down with your companion

and the backpack.

Slowly feel your breath regulating

Become aware of your body in the room.

Take some deep breaths

and open your eyes.

You may now take a notepad and write about your experience. Let the words flow. Write what comes to mind.

Or you can draw your experience in your journal or sketchbook.

Did you see the gold?

Did you fetch it out?

Could you recognize what it was?

It can take some time to become aware of the gold and how it would positively impact your life.

It can also take some time owning the powerful gift given to you.

May your journey be enriched.