Part 1: Excavating My Inheritance

This is the first of a seven-part series on excavating our lived experiences.

Child Excavating Lincoln Park Beach; Seattle, Washington

If you have not done so already, I suggest you first read Finding Foundation - The Lies I Tell Myself to get an overview of the work we are about to begin.

As laid out in the previous post, we often are a sum of our lived experiences. Lived experiences are like layers of memories piled upon the foundation of who we are. Lived experiences and our memories of them have the potential to reconfirm our identity, or they have the potential to redefine our identity, burying who we are under layers of lies. We will excavate through the layers in chronological order, starting with the first movements of self-persception: My Inheritance. I recommend you set aside a journal or other writing space (perhaps naming it Finding Foundation Journal)  so that you can record your thoughts as they arise, no matter what the revelations expose. As memories are unearthed, prayerfully discern whether the memory and the emotions attached to it resonate with your core, or bring discord and dis-ease to your soul. Resonating memories may point to a truth to who you are, unearthing a piece of your foundation, while memories that lack peace may indicate a lie that has settled upon your soul, clouding your foundation.  

We are purposefully and wonderfully made in the crucible of creation by a most loving and Benevolent Father. Our placement within the human family was pre-meditated and mission-driven - our families are hand-picked for us to be a sanctuary where our identities can blossom, fully form and flourish. We all know; however, that the human condition is one covered in layers of dust, dirt and grime and the ‘foundation of our fathers’ can be one shrouded in cloudiness, uncertainty and doubt. For, if our ancestors were not standing on the solid ground of their foundation how can they, in turn, teach us to find our own? This is why the great work of excavation is so important! The fate of our lives, our families, our communities and the world is dependent upon our own self-knowledge.  

To begin the process of excavating our inheritance, we must first remember our childhood. The clarity of our purpose and identity can often be found in the child, for the perspectives, motives and actions of a young child are pure, and free from the opinions of outside influences. It is best to go as far back as you can remember, the place where first memories start to weave the story of your soul and echo the truths about who you are before the Eyes of God.

Beach rocks; Seattle, Washington

Then
As a small child…

1. What was my favorite thing to do? 
   
   
   
   

2. Where was my favorite place to be? 
   
   
   
   

3. What did I like about myself? 
   
   
   
   

4. What brought me the utmost joy and delight?     
   
   
   
   

5. What is one word I would use to describe my five-year-old self? 

For the next part, it is best to have what you have written down for the above questions right beside you so that you can reference and compare your responses from then to now. It is good to compare - to see the two responses side-by-side so that the Spirit of all Knowledge can come and softly speak to your heart about foundational truths and hereditary lies.

Now

1. What is my favorite thing to do now?

   Do I still engage in my favorite childhood pastime?
   
   
   
   

2. Where is my  favorite place to be now?

   Do I still visit those favorite childhood places that I loved?  

   
   
   
   

3. What do I like most about myself now? 

   Is it the same or different from what I liked about myself as a child?

   
   
   

   
   
   

4. What brings me the utmost joy and delight now?

   Do I still engage with that which brought me joy and delight as a child?    

   
   
   

   
   
   

5. What is one word I would use to describe myself today?

   Is this word vastly different from the one I used to describe my five-year-old self? 

When comparing the two responses, it is good to notice those then and now questions which are most unlike one another. Sit in quiet pondering to ask yourself why those responses may be so different. 

• Have you simply forgotten about your former likes and loves? Perhaps in the name of “growing up.”

• Has a lived experience changed your perspective on those things you once loved and held dear? 

• Have other people taught you to no longer cherish your first loves? 

• Has an increase of responsibilities and lack of time been the reason you no longer engage with the joys and delights of childhood? 

• Has this exercise unearthed another reason for the disparity; perhaps one that is specific to your unique lived experiences? 

Beach Rocks; Seattle, Washington

Next we will continue to excavate our inheritance from the view of the child, but this time we will look beyond our “firsts” and into the entire time we spent growing up within our families.  

_____

List any positive childhood memories. 

Are there any patterns in the memories I listed? 

If so, can I name the virtue or positive force that I see repeated in my memories?

Is there at least one childhood memory that resonates with my soul and speaks truth?

Does this memory happen to be one of my favorite childhood memories?  

Do I see positive memories echoed within my own family? Is there a parent or sibling who shares these memories with me? Or do I now share in a similar memory with my own children? 

Do any memories point to any generational gifts that have been passed down through my ancestors? Are there others in my family (nuclear or extended) who enjoy and excel in the same things as I do? 

_____

List any negative childhood memories.


Have any negative childhood memories impacted my sense of self?

Did I see a shift in my actions and/or beliefs after any particular negative childhood memory? 

Have any negative memories stifled my first loves, delights and joys? 

Was there one person or group of people who influenced my growth in a negative way? 

If this person (or people) are in my family, do I think the negative influence may be hereditary or something that has been passed down through the generations? 

Might one or more of my negative memories stem from someone else acting from a posture of inauthenticity - one who does something because it was once done to them or taught to them by others? 

Can I learn from their mistake and not repeat the negative action again in my own life or act negatively towards those whom I love in a similar way?

Can I forgive myself for carrying the burden of my negative memories for so long?

Can I ask the Holy Spirit to help me look with compassionate eyes so that I may bring forgiveness to past hurts and wounds? 

____

Which list has more memories listed?

Do I think this is because one happened more often than the other? or perhaps is it simply because I remember one type of memory more than the other? 

In the act of unearthing we may have become dirty. We may have seen, perhaps for the first time, patterns of behaviors, words or thoughts that may have infiltrated our very core memories from a young age. The unearthed groans under the weight of the light and sits exposed, spreading dust into our minds. We can either allow the dust to reopen past wounds and contaminate our current patterns of thought, or we can cleanse ourselves of the encrusted lies which have impeded our growth and  self-actualization. You have made it this far, dear reader, have hope and do not give up! Courageously continue on into the next step, the first movements of healing. 

To begin the healing process we must go back and revisit our childhood reflections. This time; however, we will approach with a posture of noticing, leaving judgement aside. Read through your responses to each question. After reading each question and response, sit for at least one minute to notice any emotions that may have arisen. Write down the emotion you are noticing. Try to ignore any judgements that may try to impede your examination, as the enemy of Truth will often try to stop this process by tempting one towards overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt, and resentment.  

Single Beach Rock; Seattle, Washington

After this important and exhausting work, it is time to detach from the negative memories and the erosive emotions they carry, for these are lies that have covered your foundational inheritance. 

____

Detach…
Start with one negative memory/emotion duo.

Name it by saying: “ I release you, memory of _____ and feeling of _____ into the Hands of the Holy Spirit.”  

Reclaim…
Now replace this lie with a truth that has been revealed.

Name it by saying: “I now claim the memory of _____ and the feeling of ______, for these affirm my ancestral inheritance given to me by my Loving Father. I thank You, Holy Trinity, for these gifts.”

Go through the above process as many times as you need to fully detach from every negative memory and reclaim every positive memory, thus bringing you further on your path to greater self-knowledge. 

_____

Dear Excavator, 

May the process of unearthing hereditary lies bring you peace and give new life to the child born in the Crucible of Creation many years ago. You were made for greatness and have been given a most extraordinary inheritance through the Father of Creation. May you stand on solid ancestral ground, honoring the gifts that have been passed down through the generations by claiming them this day as your own. Go forth, young child of the soul, to bring the joys and delights of the heart to those who graze your presence.  

Yours Truly, 

Michelle