We come into this world as perfect, fully-formed souls that gradually forget who we were before we arrived on this physical, earthly plane.
As we go through childhood we take on our world views and beliefs about our worth and we then continue to seek out people and situations that reinforce those beliefs.
We develop protective and extreme parts as a way to survive and try to make sense of our childhood experiences and beliefs.
Eventually, those parts no longer serve our highest good but we don't always know how to develop new ways of coping and communicating while accessing our higher, true Self.
We create needless suffering for ourselves and others, which is part of our human experience, because we attach our sense of self-worth and esteem to how others treat us and see us, rather than knowing our innate worth comes simply from the fact that we exist.
Most people die with many of the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying (see Bronnie Ware), not knowing how to unburden themselves and approach death with peace and acceptance.
We aren't afraid of death because of where we believe we're going, but because of all the things we're leaving behind that we haven't said or done or experienced during our lifetime.
A life fully lived on our own terms gives us the freedom and ability to die with peace and dignity on our own terms, choosing what our legacy will be when we're gone.
It's possible to heal ourselves from our attachment and childhood wounds, unburden our extreme and protective parts and make choices from our true Self, embrace our uniqueness and individuality, set healthy boundaries for ourselves and others and devote our lives to what Jung termed "individuation" (radical self-acceptance of our weaknesses, strengths and potential).
We can then approach our death knowing that we loved ourselves and others the best way we could, made the most of our lives and contributed something positive to the world.
Kim O'Donnell, Embodied Connections Australia, 2023.