Have a little faith.

Security Blanket

“True security is a matter of spirit.”

Caroline Myss

When my sons were little, they had security blankets. One blanket was even named “Coty.” They dragged them around during the day, and clutched them to their hearts at night. The blankets became threadbare and ragged. I cut off the threads, sewed around the frayed edges and didn’t wash them very often so they wouldn’t lose precious substance. One was even cut up and sewn into a quilt for college. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if dragging a special blanket around was all we needed to feel secure today? Wouldn’t we all be dragging our blankets?

The need for security is a theme that evolves as we transition from one life-stage to another. In our youth, we're concerned with whether we can make good grades, get into college, get a job, find a mate. Later, we seek financial security, job security, assurance that our children will have a safe and decent life. In our older years, we want to know we won’t end up alone, sick and frightened.

In the 1970's, Israeli scholar, Aron Antonovsky, conducted a study he titled, Salutogenesis, “the beginnings of well-being.” In it he found that when we experience a difficult life event, we move toward either health or disease based upon our perception of the event itself. If we see the event as understandable and ourselves as capable of handling it, we move in the direction of health. If we perceive the event as incomprehensible and ourselves as victims, we are far more likely to develop distress that leads to disease.

In truth, the only security we ever possess in this life is that which is within us. It comes from our connection with Self, with Soul, the only thing that is eternal. Feelings of security come from a deep and unshakable faith that life is essentially good, that the events of our lives have meaning and purpose, and that we are capable of negotiating the twists and turns with which we are confronted.

Life will always have its ups and downs. When we develop the ability to “learn the lesson,” regardless of what comes our way, we will no longer need a security blanket.

                                                          In the Spirit,

                                                           Jane