Many times in life, we find that we make certain decisions that stems from roots that runs deep within us. Those roots became grounded by certain experiences that has now shaped how we see ourselves, the mindset that has become the foundation for our lifestyles and decisions and ultimately, how we are perceived by others.

For many, people would never understand why one has a phobia for a given phenomenon. They maybe able to see the outcome of those roots but they however, can’t see how deep within us those roots have formed. We ourselves, may not know the extent of how those roots have formed. We may not even recall what event created these roots. What we most times recall is how it made us feel and how a similar moment or memory triggers the said feeling.

As children become adults, one thing of note–the core of who we were as children and the experiences we have, impacts greatly who we become as adults. And, this could go in anyway. That means a loving child could turnout as a not so loving adult and vice versa. The reason behind this lies fundamentally in an event or series of similar events that reprograms how one defines their attitude, behaviour and character which then becomes the blueprint.

Even as adults we tend to process a situation as we did as children. This might be the case where we have not addressed our fears, concerns and trauma in a way that we can understand that we may not have been able to manage things better in the past but at present we are a more experienced version of our younger selves. We have encountered numerous ordeals that the younger version of us would have been so proud to see us handle.

Reprogramming becomes crucial in outgrowing the version of us that was unable to overcome episode(s) of what seems to be a trigger of emotions. We might want to heal that younger version of us by understanding that we are still that same person but with more lived experiences and ability to decide a different path of life that is favourable.

To reprogram, we need to reflect patterns associated with the said triggers. Going as far as asking ourselves at what point did we start attaching the trigger to the emotion. From there, we are able to recall a moment where one may be able to travel to, in the mind to change how that moment of life was interpreted with the intent to give it our desired outcome.

Overcoming childhood trauma comes with understanding that we may be the same person confronted with a situation or phenomenon that has now become a trigger, however, we are now capable of dealing with the mindset—the roots that have become the basis of our actions because in life the one constant thing is “change” and we are very much capable of overcoming anything we set our minds to. We have been wired to overcome challenges and to accomplish what we put our minds to (Philippians 4:13). It is our default factory setting—use it.

Written from the desk of Mary Elebijo