A Warrior's Battle Cry

A Warrior's Battle Cry

There’s a debate between psychologists, theologians and academics of this sort, as to whether helplessness is an innate trait or a learned mindset. The feeling of helplessness arises when someone is placed under a substantial amount of pressure and stress. For some, no matter how difficult the obstacle, they fight, they work, they rise. For others, a helpless mindset takes over, convincing them that it doesn’t matter what they do because nothing will change the outcome, so they give up and give in to defeat. The question - is this learned or genetic? Nature vs nurture. Martin Seligman, debates this topic in his book, Authentic Happiness. After sharing his perspective, he explains that within all of us are strengths that have been passed down through the generations that came before us. Those who lived through wars, famines, pandemics, plagues, possessed strength, courage, cunning wit. Thus, through procreation, within all of us resides the same molecular makeup of these strengths. My takeaway - within all of us is a warrior's spirit, a fighter's heart, a vessel's body thats sole purpose is the survival of the whole and the passing down of it's legacy. So what does it matter whether helplessness is learned or innate when the reality, the truth, is that it’s changeable and controllable? If within all of us is a set of strengths, the rest is just noise, layers, masks, shields that we’ve developed for whatever reason - protection, fear, insecurity, doubt. All obstacles have been laid in our path to break through these false layers of self, encouraging our true strengths to shine. Unfortunately, often we deny these messengers their passage, afraid to let them pass through us because we’re forgotten or hidden our strengths. Completely understandable though, right? We’ve all been in a stressful situation for a couple of years now, that doesn’t seem to be going away. That no matter what we do, how many rules or protocols we follow, we’re still not exempt to it's destruction. This applies to many other aspects of our lives too. No matter how perfect you are at your career, you could still get fired. No matter how much you love someone, there's no promise that they'll love you back. No matter what you try to avoid, protect or control, accidents still happen. Yes, this can make anyone feel helpless. Until you unlearn your way back to your authentic self. Until you believe the truth that you have within you is A warrior's spirit A fighter's heart No, we will never be exempt to the destruction, damage, pain or chaos being a human being entails. But you do have the choice to either live or give up. To say… This is really f**king hard AND I can do hard things. To feel BRAVE and SCARED at the exact same time. To feel afraid and move forward anyway! I promise you, it’s there within you, Nicole. Yes, it’s really difficult to unlearn our way back and reconnect with our authentic selves. But, my God, what other option is there? You want this life you dream of? It’s yours for the taking. You want a different life? Then you have to live your life differently. You want to be remembered? Then you have to do something memorable. Funniest thing, is that by you showing up for yourself, you being who you truly are and sharing that truth with the world - is the most memorable, remarkable, courageous thing you could ever possibly do. Within you are a set of strengths that no one else will ever possess. Your molecular makeup paired with your life experiences has cultivated a very specific gift that NO ONE will ever replicate. How, incredibly powerful is that? Please, don't let this become tragic by not sharing that unique-to-you-gift with the world. How are you going to show up? What are you going to do to reclaim your life? Come to me with your fears, doubts, worries, hesitations and I’ll help you see through the fog and rediscover the mountain you’ve already climbed. I’ll empower you to see the strong, amazing, perfectly imperfect being that you already are. Let’s discover the truth that these parts of you you feel are weaknesses are actually your greatest strengths. Exist in the Light, Nicole Starr Bacon