The Monster

We all have a dark side. To deny that is to deny our very existence. Most of us are very well-rounded beings. That means that each and every one of us represents both sides of the coin; the good and the bad, the light and the dark, the right and the left.

I do believe that there is a sort of “monster” inside of all of us. It’s that side which represents the negative in our lives. It’s everything we struggle with. It’s anger, it’s depression, it’s anxiety. It’s frustration, it’s loneliness, it’s shame. It’s our deepest darkest secrets. And we spend an incredible amount of time running from that monster. Or hiding from that monster. Or worst of all, numbing the monster. But guess what? The monster always comes back. Hungrier. Angrier. Increasingly desperate.

My point is this: you can’t simply ignore it. It’s always going to be there. It’s as much a part of you as the good. The two of you are intertwined.

So stop running.

Stop running and deal with it.

Acknowledge the monster. The sooner that you realize what you are dealing with, the sooner you can figure out how you are going to deal with it. It’s possible to deal with this in a constructive and healthy way.

The first problem is acknowledging the monster. The second issue is figuring out which methods of dealing with it works for you.

For me, it’s been a journey learning how to channel that inner monster in the gym. I take all the pain, all the frustration, all the disappointment in my life, and I let it loose in there. I work until I have exhausted the monster and it has nothing more to give.

The trick is getting there. The hard part is not allowing the monster to keep me from taming it. Of course there are going to be times when our challenges do their best to prevent us from moving forward in life. That’s when you have to fight.

But, I acknowledge, what works for me may not work for you. There are so many other avenues you can explore. Yoga. Painting. Running. Find that area where you can safely channel your monster energy.

Use the monster to your advantage.

Then you have made the monster your ally.

Take that energy and use it to create something beautiful and positive. Take the lessons that the monster has to teach and use it to grow, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

I know you can do this.