What I refer to as “Repurposing Your Dark Side” involves acknowledging that you have one and accepting it will always be there. In doing so, you “work with” your dark side, even as you are also continuously working against it. This tension and friction between you and your dark side can create an energy that will enable you to do the great things you want to do in your life that can benefit both you and the people around you. The Eight Steps to Repurposing your Dark Side 1. Acknowledging your dark side 2. Accepting your dark side 3. Identifying when to step back as your dark side emerges 4. Having coping skills in place to deescalate and redirect you from your dark side 5. Self-forgiveness regarding your dark side 6. Utilizing a “village” of support when needed as you manage your dark side 7. Leveraging the energy your dark side creates for positive productivity 8. Seeking professional intervention (i.e. therapy, counseling) when needed to manage your dark side You can’t manage or leverage your dark side without first acknowledging it. Acknowledgment is different from awareness. Awareness that you have a dark side doesn’t necessarily mean you acknowledge it in the sense that it is a daily presence in your life that could be impacting your everyday behavior. Acknowledging your dark side is your recognition that you are not only aware of it, but that it poses a threat to your well-being that needs to be addressed when you at your worst moments. For some people acknowledging their dark side may be even harder than accepting it once they’ve acknowledged it. Accepting your dark side involves understanding that it will always be there in one form or another for you to manage. Accepting your dark side can be beneficial in understanding your intuition because it enables you to have a better perspective of how you’ve learned to manage your dark side up to this point without even knowing it. You are better able to see how your dark side influences “the light side” of you and vice versa. The first two steps, along with the fifth step are often the hardest steps you’ll take in repurposing your dark side. Acceptance is a spotlight that enables you to identify the signs of how your dark side influences your behavior. Once you can identify the warning signs of your dark side and have identified the patterns of behavior that characterize your dark side, you have positioned yourself in the driver’s seat to determine where you will go once your dark side rears it’s ugly head. Having healthy coping mechanisms in place is essential here. In my case, I turn to my faith and engage in silent prayer if I experience the onset of dark thoughts or narcissistic behavior. If I am engaged in a conversation, I verbally acknowledge that I am venturing in the wrong direction, apologize, and turn to supportive listening to try to understand what I wasn’t letting myself understand from the other person in the conversation before. When I am able to, I engage in a meditation session for a half hour (with a ten-minute minimum depending on time constraints) to reset myself. As a last resort, I inform myself and whoever is around me that “I need to step back from this situation for a moment.” Most people will generally respect when you acknowledge the need to step back for your own well-being and/or for the good of the relationship. (More can be found at coffeepizzaandwine.substack.com—link in bio) #p#philosophys#spiritualitym#MentalHealths#selfmastery - @coffeepizzaandwine