Recovery - Healing: Forbearance and Resulting Gifts

Healing: Turning “Crisis into Opportunity"

Part #3: Recovery - Healing: Forbearance and Resulting Gifts

Our world has become fast, furious and bottom line oriented. Technology tools like texting, emailing, Face-Time, SKYPE, on-line shopping and others set an expectation that we are all accessible 24/7 with no "wait time." Our expectations for quick response can be almost addictive and our dependency on these technologies an addiction. Regardless, we have become "trained" to expect immediate response - It is easy to lose sight of process and that all things take their own time.  

Healing is a process not an event. Recovery and healing from addiction, depression, chronic pain, distress/ burnout and other medical issues take time. These issues tend to take longer in the making and therefor are not quick to resolve -- Paying attention to the nuances of these conditions and healing is important to be able to recognize progress and sustain motivation. This is where forbearance comes into play.

Forbearance is a form of patience - tolerance or self-control, especially in not responding to provocation. Forbearance requires refraining from action: the fact of deliberately not doing or saying something when you could do or say it. This is not the same as shutting down or repressing one self, but consciously choosing to suppress action in favor of the overall good of the situation. Forbearance is necessary in life and a quality that comes with maturity and wisdom. As we get older we often come to see that we have little control over many things that happen, and that we need to find other ways to cope which go beyond "grinning and baring" or resisting and pushing through circumstances. Through forbearance we often learn more about ourselves and the process of life.

Forbearance is another learning that sounds simple but is not easy! But it is worth developing as we learn to understand ourselves, our behavior patterns, assumptions, and motivations. We also learn about others, and the overarching process of how things work in the world and how the pieces come together in their own timing. This helps with learning to be more relaxed and present in the moment and not be over-focused on the future at the expense of living more fully right now. We also learn to be more patient and accepting of ourselves and others, and be the kind of people with whom others feel safe and enjoy spending time. And, of course, our efforts and goals have more opportunity to be completed.

In order to get and to stay well staying centered, in the moment, organizization and balanced is required. This may sound immensely simple but again, not easy! In behavior therapy we learn how to develop skills to focus and be more mindful (less reactive), process difficult emotions, tolerate and cope with distress and to advocate for ourselves in a graceful and effective manner. By increasing our life skills in these areas we decrease the stress and pressure on our bodies, freeing up energy for improved functioning and well-being. We establish the roots of health and wellbeing - http://myintegratedtx.com/our-philosophy/ .

About the Author

Paula Tropiano is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Addictions Specialist providing holistic – skills based counseling and therapy to adults in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA and West Chester, PA. She specializes in chronic health conditions, depression, chronic stress and anxiety, substance addictions, food and weight problems and relationship issues. 

(610) 692-4995. www.myintegratedtx.com

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