I saw a sign on a church marquee today that read, "We know you put your best foot forward, it's the other one in need of attention." I am reminded of the concept of "the shadow" in depth psychology.
The shadow is sometimes referred to as the bag that we drag behind us that holds all of our repressed and hidden qualities that are not only hidden from others, but also from ourselves. Within these hidden qualities reside not only the dark and rejected aspects of our being, but also light and positive attributes. Our task to bring both the dark and the light into consciousness so that we can own what is ours and not need to project it onto others by demonizing them or by hero-worshipping them. If you want to discover some of your shadow aspects, examine what you don't like about your neighbor.
Think upon the following quotes:
- Anything you hide in the basement has a way of burrowing under the house and showing up on the front lawn. -Howard Sasportas
- Shame is the gristle we must chew on to integrate the Shadow complex. -Gilda Franz
- If my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well. ~Rainer Maria Rilke
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