Saddened by Debbie Ford’s passing at the age of 57 just yesterday, I have been reflecting a bit on the legacy of this courageous woman whose light always shone so brightly.
(http://www.debbieford.com/)
She has made the Jungian term of the shadow accessible to everyone and has given us many exercises to embrace our shadow—our dark side as well as our light—to be a whole and happy human being. She has written numerous books and taught countless workshops on how to make the transformation from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.
When you make peace with your shadow “you will no longer have to pretend to be someone you’re not. You will no longer have to prove you’re good enough. When you embrace your shadow you will no longer have to live in fear.” (Debbie Ford in The Dark Side of the Light Chaser, p. 3)
From deep within our subconscious mind, the dark shadow has power over our life. If left unexamined it determines what we feel we can and cannot do, what we are drawn towards, and what we avoid. “It explains the mystery of our attractions and our repulsions and determines what we will love and what we will judge and criticize.” (Debbie Ford in The Shadow Effect, p. 92)
Examining, embracing and integrating all parts of us sets us free. When you embrace a part within yourself, other people with the same quality cannot trigger you anymore. You can be relaxed with each other; you can truly enjoy them and be yourself.
Let’s honour Debbie’s legacy by continuing her wonderful work. Just like her we can reclaim our power, creativity, brilliance, and dreams. We can be free from the past and live the happiness and wholeness we came into this world with. This is our birth right.