Creative Thursdays: Guidance
Ninth in the series of posts that celebrate creativity and worship.
In a conversation last week, my friend and I discussed how trauma impacts creativity—basically, it can kill it. The reasons for this are embedded in all of my writing, so I will not belabor the point here, only say it is true.
Building a village—a core idea in the material this week—requires creativity. What do you do when you face a mental health crisis and suddenly the village you counted on vanishes? The village could be friends or family, co-workers (especially if through job loss), faith communities that no longer feel safe, etc. Most of this occurred in my life ten years ago.
Understanding that my mental health crisis was trauma-related seemed to make it all the more isolating because very few that I knew understood anything about the impact of trauma. I needed a new village of trauma-informed friends and guides and I felt paralyzed.
Then I came across the quote, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear” (attributed to various sources) Well, I was definitely ready, so I waited for the teachers to appear. I also realized that finding those guides would require some creativity.
Fear is the enemy of creativity. The fear embedded in me from my life in the church almost stopped my healing path. The following two things were true at the time:
I was taught that sources of truth outside the church should not be trusted. Though not influenced by these types of high-control church environments any longer, this idea was still (subliminally) part of my mindset.
The church offered nothing that would help me understand the physical and psychological impact of trauma. In fact, many practices and teachings were counterproductive to healing.
With few resources or opportunities, I began to search online for those who could guide me. I trusted that the guides would appear. One day I Googled the two words, attachment and trauma, and the rest is history. I not only found guides at the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), I developed friendships that will remain in my village for a lifetime—even though my five-year term on the board has ended.
How did creativity bring me to these guides? I sent an email and said, “I do not currently have funds for membership (no longer required) but I would like access to the material, is there some way I could volunteer?” This was how I began writing for the ATN Blog, gathered the courage to publish Brave, and eventually built a village of guides that hail from all across the country and the world. I didn’t ever imagine that one creative idea could take me so far!
So, what guidance do you need and where do you begin? Guides do not always come in human form. As I began to receive requests for guidance, I included information on my website to answer common questions. I also participated in the initial stages of ATN’s new Trauma-Informed Certification. This contains so much of what my ATN guides taught me. I cannot recommend it enough!
Be creative in finding the financial resources to access this (note the reduced introductory price)—ask your village for help! Have them join you! I already know of several groups supporting each other in completing the certification. This certification is for survivors, educators, ministry leaders, health professionals . . . everyone!
My Guidance Practice
(The following was what I wrote for Trauma in the Pews 2.0 and as I read it, my thoughts expanded into what I have written above. I am leaving it here realizing it is somewhat repetitive. Oops!)
Ninety percent of my current trauma-informed village did not exist five years ago. When I talk about using agency to build a village, I do not discount the fear I felt upon finding myself virtually village-less or the work required to build a new village. The ten percent of my village—who also knew nothing about the impact of trauma when I began writing—have supported me with their willingness to learn and are my most treasured friends.
Aside from therapy, my guidance practice required me to have the agency to involve myself in trauma-informed organizations and ask for conversations. Many became friends and offer guidance. I never need to pick up a mask when talking with these friends and guides! I am valued for my story and the work I do to help others heal.
My spiritual practice of guidance also includes being a village for others. This is an essential and fulfilling part of my spiritual practice. Watching others heal is sacred! I must set boundaries for myself because the desire to help the whole world is strong. One boundary is recognizing when I require additional healing before continuing to invest in others. Another boundary is choosing to only walk alongside those who are working with a therapist or trauma-informed coach.