Article 06: All Three of Me
Back in June of this year a bomb went off in my head and my heart and the life that I dedicated myself to had changed forever.
Unable to navigate the change, I removed myself from the situation and my life turned 180 degrees as I began a different journey.
I don’t tell this tale to seek sympathy, instead, I wish only to share with you some things I learned along the way.
Fortunately, I have developed a wonderful set of mental tools for my mental toolbox over the years, that have kept me sane through life’s many ups and downs.
I teach them to others as part of my healing practice, which put me in the position that I had to make certain that I practiced what I preach or else I would just be a bag of wind in my own eyes. Telling people to act one way while I acted another…yuck!
But even with these past experiences to guide me, I still wobbled along the path to my new life.
That is where the miracle of quality friendships stepped in to lend a loving, helping hand.
I am beyond blessed for the assistance they so gracefully afforded me.
Perhaps the one that stands out the most to me came through a buddy of mine who took me out for breakfast for a mental health checkup.
He shared his belief that there are the, “Three Marks.” (I will try and do his teachings justice in this very brief breakdown.)
Little Mark
Present Day Mark
Future Mark
“Little Mark,” holds onto my heart. He is the love within me. He needs to feel loved and safe in any situation in order to be healthy and happy.
“Present Day Mark,” stick handles life in the present tense. He is at the helm. The choices he makes affects the health of the other two.
“Future Mark,” has the wisdom of hindsight and can look back at, “Present Day Mark,” and provide him with a mental health perspective from the future that can be missed when we are caught up in the sticky web of day-to-day life.
The practice is that all three of me need to be consulted with and checked up on with regularity in order to maintain a quality state of mental health.
All three must be happy for any situation to be deemed a worthy undertaking.
When he walked me through the exercise, I was amazed at the clarity it has provided me with.
I was given a new tool to help me navigate this tricky human experience.
I am very happy to say that all three of me are happy and moving along with a song in our hearts.
I check in with them all on a regular basis with the goal of making them proud.
Looking back on this transition point in my life, perhaps there is no greater treasure than a wise friend that can calm a stormy sea.
I am a blessed man.
I wouldn't trade my exciting new world for any other.
What mental tools are in your mental toolbox?
What pearls have you been gifted that help you navigate this crazy human trip?
Stay strong out there.
We got this!