Thoughts for summer

"Carl Jung believed in a shadow self a dark side to each of us that we learn to hide. Within this darkness dwells our forbidden appetites, our secret beliefs about ourselves and the world around us, the ugly traits and flaws that we hate and seek to bury. But Jung held that there was no denying this part of ourselves, that the more we tried to hide it, pretend it didn't exist, the more audaciously the universe would conspire to reveal it. He maintained that this shadow craved more than anything to be recognized and embraced. Only when we have forgiven it can we truly be whole, truly be free."

Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger

If congruency and integrity are what you seek in your life, it is important to identify your shadow and to incorporate it into your conscious awareness. Then you have choices about your actions, leading to integration. Or to put it more simply, choices based upon deep self-awareness demonstrate authenticity.

Doniella Boaz, LMHC