New Life with DID
For Christians, this weekend is the celebration of the resurrection, or new life after suffering, humiliation, and death. For Jews, it’s the celebration of freedom from centuries of oppression. Throughout the year, other traditions celebrate renewal, rebirth, reincarnation, and the oneness of all creation.
Some of us have a strongly formed faith while some of us are highly suspicious of religion that has a long history of abuse. Some of us are somewhere in the middle, reaching out to a Power greater than ourselves to help us through the most impossible pain and most unbelievable circumstances.
Suffering to New Life
While I don’t have the ultimate answers on religion, and I honor where each person is on their spiritual journey, I do know that the movement from suffering to new life is real. If you identify with a religion, reach out to the stories of your faith and embrace them. If you don’t identify with a religion, watch the spring blooms push upward after a harsh winter and create your own, personal renewal story.
We Are Examples
I am an example of new life after unbelievable suffering. You are too. Even if you’re still in the throes of horrific pain and think it will never end, it will. Someday, you will exhaust your flashbacks. Someday, your traumatic memories will no longer hold power over you. Someday, your fear of intimacy will give way to tentative closeness and authentic relationship. Someday, your inner parts will cooperate with you and with each other. For some of you, you will integrate, and for others, you’ll enjoy a drama-free multipart life. Someday, you will feel real.
Self-Care
If you have faith in God or a Higher Power, let that Divine Being hold you in your pain. When it seems unbearable, pray just to stay alive. Ask for what you need. Hand the complicated problems you face over to the One and take it one day at a time.
If you don’t have faith in a God or a Higher Power, turn inward and find the strength inside to help you through each day. Maybe you have an alter who can serve as a beacon of hope. Maybe it’s “all of you together” who will overcome your unbelievable circumstances.
Either way, know that after suffering and death comes new life. That’s the way it’s always been and always will be.
Invitation
Check out my website at www.lynbarrett.com where you can download my free ebook called DID Unpacked. You can also sign up for notification of the release of my memoir, Crazy? A Memoir (formerly titled Crazy: In Search of a Narrative) and learn more about writing opportunities.
What questions do you have about DID? Any topics you’d like me to cover? I’ll look forward to hearing from you!
“If you wish to be gentle with others, be gentle first with yourself.”
Buddhist Saying
Lyn