Opening to Goodness & Allowing Emotions
In this illustration, a young woman trauma survivor is surrounded by a wise owl, friendly tree frogs, a happy jack rabbit, some doves, roses, plum blossoms, clouds and stars.
There are two hands, one on either side of the young woman’s head. They represent the Inner Nurturer, the part of ourselves that is gentle and kind to us as we heal. The hands also represent people who are Nurturers in our lives, showering us with their love and helping us to find our way out of the thick forest of painful feelings after trauma. In the picture, the tall trees of this thick forest can be seen in the distance as the young woman gradually leaves them behind.
The Nurturers pour water over the young woman’s head and face. As the water touches her, it turns into waterfalls, roses and doves. She is learning how to open to receive goodness from life and care from others. There are a few tears on her cheeks; she is just beginning to allow her emotions to surface and flow in this safe space created by the Nurturers and all the other forest creatures.
The owl in the picture symbolizes the wise part of ourselves who understands what we’ve gone through and the very unique journey each one of us must go on to heal.
The plum blossoms above her represent endurance and gaining maturity, depth, and a greater, nobler spirit through difficult life experiences:
“In the midst of winter, before snow melts and the swallow returns, plum trees blossom onto the barren landscape, bracing the harshness of winter and reminding people spring will come. Celebrated here is the vitality of life, endurance through hardship, and hope that life will regenerate.
“The plum blossom has been an important symbol in Chinese culture. As a ‘friend of winter,’ the plum blossom most vividly represents the value of endurance, as life ultimately overcomes through the vicissitude of time. The fragrance of plum blossoms ‘comes from the bitterness and coldness,’ as the Chinese saying goes. Souls are tempered in the depth of experience, growing in inner strength and unyielding courage.” Hong Jiang, “The Plum Blossom: A Symbol of Strength,” The Epoch Times, June 12, 2011.
