Breakdown or Breakthrough? A Recovery Reflection on Healing Through Surrender

I have a question for you: When was the last time you experienced a spiritual, mental, or emotional breakdown?

You know, the kind that has you crying uncontrollably while searching in desperation for a solution to (fill in the blank). The heart pounding, gut wrenching kind of breakdown that has you surfing on waves of fear from what has yet to happen. The spiritual breakdown that causes your faith to wither away in a cold breeze in the middle of a summer season. The kind of mental breakdown that has you questioning your existence and purpose in life. The emotional breakdown even a baby’s carefree laughter can’t lift.

When the Breakdown is a Call for a Breakthrough

No matter the circumstance, what we do with the breakdown equates to the greatest discovery of perseverance. Our perspective changes when we acknowledge the problem and reach for solutions. No doubt this is easier said than done. Nonetheless, the attempt to search for such a comfort lightens the load of our lack mentality. When we begin to root for ourselves and simply try, a sense of accomplishment and celebration overtakes us. The breakdown is the sign of a breakthrough - calling attention to our deepest fears and recites poetry of solace to our spirit when acknowledged.

Pausing to reflect on my breakthroughs while vacationing in Tulum.

Quote: If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it. — Toni Morrison

What if the breakdown and breakthrough served as one in the same? Rather than separate experiences, what if we challenge ourselves to view the breakdown as a breakthrough during this timely moment in life and reexamine our mental rhythms, spiritual mantras, and emotional mastery?

Surrendering in the Midst of the Breakdown

I am gradually learning the breakdown also serves as a call to action while the breakthrough is the action I take in the midst of my evolution. Whether it be a release of tears, creating a list of next steps to move towards the desired solution for (fill in the blank) concern, writing a gratitude list to recalibrate my spiritual compass, or simply sitting outside to watch the birds fly from one tree to the next as a brief reminder that I have all I need at the present moment — I surrender to the breakthrough.

Placing pen upon paper in peace in Belize.

How I Moved from Overwhelm to Breakthrough

No, this process is not the easiest when there are a succession of unfortunate or uncontrollable events in our lives. Still I believe we are capable of choosing a perspective of change, of solution, of newness when we align our efforts with our innermost desires. I say this because I recently had a breakthrough from overwhelm, uncertainty, and discouragement. Having had the experience, the question then became, “How do I climb out of the sunken pit of fathomed fear?”

The response? Be still. Feel the fear. Be present. And put into practice a line I added in my "Buh-leez in Me Journal": Break through fabricated concrete. 

So … When was the last time you experienced a breakdown? How did you surrender to the breakthrough?

Until next time ... Joyous Journey.

Elora