I have a habit I rely on when reading books with large, complicated words in them. I identify the confusing word, read the context around it, decide on my own meaning for it, and move on. I’m not sure if it’s a bad or good habit, the results are mixed. Sometimes I’m close and sometimes I think exegesis is a kind of fruit (not a real example, I’m not that bad). Anyway, that’s the same idea I used when I started encountering the word ‘processing’ on the Race. I’ve studied some of its contexts now though and here are a few ways in which it can be defined and used:
proc-ess-ing
1. a systematic series of actions directed to some end
2. a vague attempt at identifying your feelings
3. an excuse to plug in your ipod and disengage from the world
4. an attempt to wrap your head around what the heck just happened in team time
I thought I was finished using that word after the race but I was wrong. Even months after the race, people are asking if I’ve processed it, and I’m asking others if they have, and we’re avoiding it or we’re diving in, etc. I’m still not sure I completely know what processing is or if I’ll ever be finished with it, but I did learn some more about it in the meantime that I will share with you here. You can call this blog an entry in Sheila’s Dictionary. I also have a Sheila’s Laws of Science book available as well. Very good read.
To me, processing is letting yourself feel and remember, not suppressing anything, but letting memories & feelings come and dealing with them as they require. It will hurt but it’s worth it in the long run.
For negative experiences, I think it’s facing whatever reality was past and confronting it with truth.
I’ve found that refusing to process an area creates numbness, and we as humans aren’t good at numbness. We can’t use it selectively very well and it quickly spreads to surrounding areas and feelings and soon we are in a major funk and don’t know why. God requires full, soft, warm hearts to work with, not selective parts of numb, cold ones.
I think the necessary base for processing is identity. Part of processing is wrapping your head around an event or situation and knowing who you were through it, after it and what you think of it. You can’t do that if you don’t know who you are or how a child of God should respond. Identity is essential.
So, processing = identity, reflecting, openness, truth, soft heart.
Entry complete. For now.
