Reaching the Tredge: On the Verge of Rise or Ruin
It's the moment. Brought on by crisis or a similar moment of reckoning, it's the time when you could either collapse or conquer. Sometimes it seems the whole world is saying you can't; but, through staying open—surrendering rather than succumbing—you will. When you steal away from the noise, you hear a voice beckoning, guiding you, pushing you, forward. We can call this the tredge—the transformational edge between rise and ruin granted by chaos. Yes, granted—and gifted—by chaos. Amid crisis—through maintaining connection with the Center, exploring your passions, focusing on your goals, and practicing gratitude—you can turn the tumult into treasure.

Why Crises are Catalysts

Crises are often the fuel for catalysts because under these conditions you realize what is real, what is holding you back, and where you need to go. You also realize who is holding you back and who never cared about your welfare in the first place. Sometimes there are a few trusted confidantes; but, what you always have is Guidance. People may not be there—either they can't or don't want to be—but the Universe always is. Usually, we don't find these sources of strength, these reserves, until we're completely cornered. But, that power was always there. Crises occur to force necessary changes and remind you of the resources you always had.middle-aged white woman looking pensively out the window

Maintaining Your Connection 

Admittedly, it's difficult to realize those gifts, recognize those resources, amid the chaos, the sense of loss, the anger, and, overall, the changes. The only way is to keep a higher perspective, which prevents you from being snarled by the fray. Meditation, mindfulness can be instrumental. Holotropic breathing, giving you the opportunity to catch and strengthen your breath, provides the oxygen you need. Psychedelics, like magic mushrooms--when responsibly used and once practice is founded upon informed research--can serve as palliative tools. Any of these, or similar, techniques are all toward the same end: connecting with the Source. With the stillness these aids yields, you can always locate a center within the storm. The Center, the Source, eternally guides and will arm you the vision and strength to get through, to overcome, and find the way ahead. No matter how difficult or challenging it gets, the Source will never you. Too often, we leave it.

Exploring Your Passions

Even if a loved one is terminally ill, a long-term relationship has failed, you're recovering from a suicide attempt (or a loved one ending their life), a business is collapsing—or any other calamity—make time for you, namely, what drives you. What makes you happiest? What can you not sacrifice? What do you always have the energy for? Take a few moments, daily, to reflect on this and take some time, weekly, to engage in this. Maybe you've been giving so much to everyone else that you can't answer those questions yet. Answer them now. Identify your passions—and pursue them. Maybe you wanted to learn a new dance. Maybe you wanted to make some more time for sculpting. Maybe you can share caretaking duties, and travel a bit on weekends. Do what feeds you. In nurturing yourself, you can better nurture others. And, in powering yourself, you can better serve the world.

If you are someone you know is in crisis, please text or call 988.

Focusing on Your Goals

In finding those passions, you'll set aspirations, and chart how far you want to guy. Even, amid the storm, the distractions, you owe it to yourself to go further, to be better. Clutch that vision. Holding fast—staying tethered—to your dreams will ensure you move forward. Your dreams won't let you fail. They're also the vehicles, the springboards, that will constantly spur you forward. Goals are the positives that will drive you to do more. Your hopes and aspirations are the sparks that won't be extinguished.

Practicing Gratitude

slightly blurred of white, blue and purple lights with a bit of a holiday feelEven in the worst emergencies, amid the most catastrophic disasters, there is always something for which to be grateful. You can be grateful for family and friends. You can be grateful for the skills you have and the strategy you can implement. You can be grateful for the nest egg you have been able to save. You can be grateful for the perspective you have, the connection you have, and that the Power will get you through. It won't be easy nor will it be comfortable; but, as you stay open—releasing the doubt and sailing in opportunity—you will have the support, and answers, you need. Here's how you keep open and practice that gratitude: 

    1. Value and express your resources—say them out loud, make them tangible
    2. Give your thanks, daily, to the Source
    3. Say thank you to those who are there
    4. Welcome the opportunity to pivot and transform
    5. Revel in the person you'll become

So, you can overcome this, and be even better for it. That liminal space between destruction and revelation awaits. Find your tredge—and leap.

Works Consulted 

Chang, H. & Sohn, J.N. (2020). Stress, stress coping, social support, generativity, and subjective well-being in the middle-aged people. Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development, 11(4), 770. https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB

Gates, J., Ellinghaus, C., Valentine, L., Kamitsis, I., Stainton, A., Harrigan, S., Thompson, A., Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Wood, S., Polaris, A., Gleason, J.F., Bartholomeusz, C., Allotted, K., Killackey, E. & Bendall, S. (2024). The liminal space of first-episode psychosis and its treatment: A qualitative study exploring the experience of young people participating in an antipsychotic dose reduction randomized controlled trial. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000606

Jiménez-Muñoz, L., Peñuelas-Calvo, I., Díaz-Oliván, I., Gutiérrez-Rojas, L., Baca-García, E., & Porras-Segovia, A. (2022). Suicide prevention in your pocket: A systematic review of ecological momentary interventions for the management of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 30(2), 85-99. DOI: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000331

Patrick, M. (2018). 11 corporate turnaround success stories. https://brownandjoseph.com/blog/11-turnaround-success-stories/

3 Comments

Keyshawn L.

Date 10/2/2024

Seminal Wellness Team

Date 10/2/2024

Selena Montalvo

Date 10/3/2024

Seminal Wellness Team

Date 10/3/2024

C. Wachowski

Date 10/5/2024

Seminal Wellness Team

Date 10/5/2024

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