She knew the Horned King‘s secret name.
His name? … I never realized a name could be so powerful?
Yes…. Once you have courage to look upon evil, seeing it for what it is and naming it by its true name, it is powerless against you, and you can destroy it.
– The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Image by OakleyOriginals via Flickr
Mistakes and the mist of shame thicken about us and it is hard to hope. As if each effort of our intended labor produced Seconds and Flops we must stand in our Besties beside what we have done to get a participant appreciation ribbon tagged onto our lapel.
And somehow standing there, the layer of sweat thick under too many clothes, we remember the secret name, it comes and we whisper. We whisper it; our last courage still enough for that. There is a moment of surprise, as if we and whatever pressed us down didn’t know we might still live.
We can see now that we are not alone; just there, in fact you are there with your own passed over table. I remember you working nights on it, your tired eyes, a happiness in your muscles still. In those days.
We can see that we are special for more than injury; we hear now. We feel concern for more and taste newness that filled the space. The secret name.
We won’t tell you or it wouldn’t be secret any more. But now that we remember we are free. Now that we have the knowing, we will keep the power, thank you.
There is power in a name.
We won’t forget what came after evil and will speak more readily into dark spaces, will wait less and fear less because we have already been there. Going toward the pain like that. What’s the worst that can happen when you name your fear? It takes no more than a whisper to be strong.
Self-care Tip – Speak into your dark spaces the name of your fear. Be a friend to yourself
Question – What reminds you that you are free despite the fears that tell you otherwise? How is freedom your truth in life even when your senses tell you otherwise? Please tell us your story.
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Very good post and how did you know……..?
thank u for sharing your point in narrative, though brief. hope u r travelling well.
Kinda floundering at the moment, Doc, so this post speaks to me. Thanks.
Read your post, Cin. Feeling chosen for reasons like these would make any of us flip-flop, as if we were the reeled in fish those people describe us to be. But u r not. Floundering does not a fish make. It is just a natural movement. Let us know, friend, how u fair. Hugs.
This one I will have to think about for awhile. A thought provoking post for sure. Thank you.
…thank u ceclia. i’m happy knowing we r connected to these variety of thoughts. let us know how they roll.
Most of my fear are preconceived notions that when I face them I find were unnecessary…however I still need to whisper to myself as a reminder to step forward…
preconceived notions respond to your whisperings – nice. thanks suze
When I stand outside of costco at one of their busy times and my fears tell me I can’t do it, just leave. My fears tell me that I am going to freak out in there and don’t even try. But my children are with me and trust me to keep them safe. So I whisper to my self that I am strong, what’s the worst that can happen? When I finish and walk outside I can’t believe that I made it. I did it! That’s what reminds me that I AM FREE, even though my fears tell me otherwise.
costco is tough for anyone. what a circus. way to go lady courage.
Sana, you always end your posts with a question. Not a problem, but….it would take me quite a bit of thought being organized and put into my stories. So, I rarely completely answer your questions. Sorry.
I did get to my first appointment yesterday.
The Doctor’s 1st question was “Are you sad now?”, at which I broke into tears. Of course I answered YES!
After taking the mandatory drug test, answering the self-diagnosis questions, and having some discussion, I did get a diagnosis.
I must admit, damn, I was a nervous mess.
Anyway, I did get some prescriptions and will be starting on those today. Follow-up one week from today. Thank God. It took me YEARS to get up the courage to admit, face my demons, and get some help.
Thank you for having an online forum. I find it much easier to talk about myself here, as opposed to being face to face with someone.
After all, I’m a “grown-assed man” and I’m embarrassed to show such emotion openly.
If I tend to ramble, lose my line of thought or not complete my thoughts, well, it’s all in the diagnosis.
Thanks again.
Okay, the short answer. I am unafraid. Ready to do whatever the professional recommends, and be the best I can be. Even in the face of the seemingly overwhelming tasks ahead of me.
“are u sad?” – is a startling question when u think about it. who asks that? – invasive, presumptive, intimate and not one we hear from the majority of strangers we meet. that took courage. so happy for your place in time and hope – you grown-assed man. awesome. thank u for letting us know. we were waiting to hear…. keep on.
I agree with Suzicate. Most of my fears, too, are preconceived and turn out to be nothing by the time I get to what I fear. However, I have been fearing for so long that I have to do more than whisper to myself. I have to scream and even then I often find myself practically parallized (sp?). My greatest fear is the fear of loss and just thinking about the possibilities closes my throat.
As an aside, check out this post as it comes up before you click on the Add a Comment section. At least today, the quote above the picture is not there and the questions at the end aren’t there, either. Good thing I decided to post a comment. Kinda miss the point if you don’t see the quote or the questions. :-{
laughing. i’m really glad u decided to comment, for more reasons than the expansion of the post. luv hearing from u. and yes. the post morphed as my thoughts expanded. am glad it helped. keep on.
Once again topical, Doc. I have been working with someone on naming mine. It is a skilled job, stripping away layers of protective self-deception. Loved this post, thanks.
thank u so much kate. your comments r a compliment because of where they come from. what’s your “topic” these days?
Topic changes every day, Sana, and I never know it until I start writing 😀 Flying by the seat of one’s pants is exciting…
They say things have power over you only if you give them that power and such is the basis of fear. Oh, all very well and good for people that don’t have to live with a purple and green monster under the bed that no one else can see.
You have one, too????!!
you kids! too funny.
carl, your comment is spot on. thank u.
After reading your comments on Cindy’s blog for many months, wonder what took me so long to come here. What a generous serving of listening you provide in this blog, Dr. Sana.
Through 12 step programs, I have had opportunities over the years to do inventories on my fears with the support and wisdom of others. I found it true that by looking my fears in the eye, they have diminished considerably. The key is to keep my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health such that those fears are not given an opportunity to grow into monsters again.
I am grateful to know that fears may not go away entirely, but they truly can be managed into welcome moments of victory and contentment.
thank u so much souldipper (awesome name!). i’m really happy we connected. i admire your thoughts very much and also have eavesdropped on you as our roads crossed over at good-old cindy’s. she’s going to get a reputation for being an online pick-up joint for friends around the world! may we all engender such repute.
thank u for sharing w us this bit of your story. one of the large parts of fear is that it turns our senses against us and we lose a lot of insight. Our truth doesn’t change of course but our perception of reality does and being distorted like that is not the easiest position from which to be our own friend. your story is speaks of these experiences and yet is clearly ferried by hope. keep on.
Naming your fears is an important step to managing them – I agree.
Helps to delineate and ultimately limit them – rather than feeling they are all-encompassing.
absolutely loved this articulate comment from u. articulate indeed. many thanks for connecting. i am not alone and that means a lot. keep on.
Enjoyed your post and just subscribed!
I was checking out some of your references
•Faith or Fear – Which Controls You? (revelationsignofthetimes.wordpress.com) was not available wondering if the author closed down her blog?
hello pattyabr! thank u so much for connecting. i am happy to know u r here. we often feel alone but really r not. hugs for that!
as far as this site reference, i’ll ck it out and let u know if i find any news. keep on!