Our archetypes embody our potential to improve the well-being of others and to improve our world. Our archetypes can lift us beyond “surviving” to “thriving.” They inspire possibility and hope.
I often hear people say, “I am enough,” which also translates, “I am unworthy.” Knowing that we each are worthy exactly as we are, comes from the recognition of our Soul Self which came into this world, whole and perfect and has NEVER lost its full value and NEVER will. Our worth is independent of anything that happens to us in life or anything that we do or don’t do. Even knowing this, we often have moments when it is difficult to believe it or to stand strongly in that truth. In those moments, we feel afraid and shrink in that fear. We feel powerless and resign ourselves to just having to suffer what life and people hand us (victim), we fear failure and humiliation so we avoid speaking or taking action (sabotage), we compromise our dreams, health, happiness in order to please others by being what they want us to be (prostitute), and we lose faith in the magic, the miracles, the possibilities, and the joy of life (child).
The 4 survival archetypes are the bridges out of our unworthiness into our true, full, power and potential. They are the bridges to becoming the full expression of our other 8 archetypes whatever they may be. We become advocates, artists, caregivers, queens/kings, rebels, spiritual seekers, visionaries… who make a difference in the lives of others and the world.
Imagine, if you will, each of these 4 survival archetypes having 2 parts or being twins. On one side of the bridge is the twin that encourages us to go small to “survive” and on the other is the twin who urges us to go big to “thrive.” Both of these twins care about us and are offering advice from a place of caring. The difference is that the twin advising us to go small believes we are our small self; that we are unworthy, not enough, and powerless. The twin encouraging us to go big knows that we are our Soul Self; that we are worthy, enough, and powerful. This twin encourages us, to stand up for ourselves (don’t be victims); take action and say what we believe (don’t sabotage ourselves); have faith that if we let go of one thing go, something better will come along and that in being our true selves, we will thrive (don’t prostitute our dreams, skills, talents, energy); and see the beauty and goodness in the world, trust the magic, believe in miracles (see through the eyes of our child within).
I see the profound potential and power in you and I want you to see this clearly in yourself. I want more than anything to help you across those bridges into the joyful full expression of all that you are.
Photo by Elizabeth Wales