“Factory Settings”: Hope For Damaged People

The world is filled with damaged people. In reality, every one of us has been damaged.

Likely it started in your family. My father was a World War II vet, and lived through horror stories he wouldn’t tell us about. But he was damaged by a dysfunctional family way before the war even happened.

My mother was also damaged as a young girl.

These damaged people raised myself and my siblings. And we have gone on, to a greater or lesser degree, to pass on the same. We couldn’t help it.

The world is filled with people, companies, governments, etc. who offer some type of “solution” to the damage… But I’ve come to realize that there isn’t one, except to return to our “factory settings.”

Christ called this being “born again,” or “returning as a little child.”

“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

–Matthew 18:3 KJV

How Do We Return to Our “Factory Settings”?

This is the million dollar question, is it not? For those of us who seek to unload all the “trauma,” “junk,” “crap,” “sin”–whatever you want to call it, what do we do or not do?

Again, there are many who promise some type of answer to this question, but it usually involves some type of avoidance or actually adding on one kind of “fix” or another. Yes, drugs or alcohol or workaholism or something can temporarily make us forget the problem, but they are certainly no permanent cures.

I’m no expert in this department, as–despite decades of practicing prayer and meditation, I am still very much what one might call “a work in progress.” I have had spectacular failures, as I have written about on this platform.

I have caused people close to me to hate me, and for that I am truly sorry. I don’t know if some will ever see me as I believe I am, because of what I have done to tempt them into judgment. Just as I have judged others.

But I do believe I am slowly returning to my “factory settings,” by being still enough to “face the music” without excessive self-judgment.

How Do We Help Others to “Find Their Way”?

This is another question that I have pondered over. I have long thought that I have needed to develop “skills,” and helping others find their way by helping them learn “skills” too. Yes, there is certainly wisdom in developing ourselves to be more physically useful to ourselves and the world. There’s no doubt about that. But in the still quiet this morning, it became apparent that while useful, this is so inferior to actually regaining our “factory settings,” and providing a simple example to our loved ones and the world.

Do not be deceived that you have found this state! Unfortunately, from what I can see, few have. I believe one way to test this is to look honestly at your own life. Do you have peace–true peace? Do you have quality relationships with others, starting with your own family?

When I first thought I’d “found the path,” I spewed my “truth” on my family in a ridiculous manner, lecturing them and shunning them. If we are to break away from family or others, let it be a natural occurrence–something that happens despite our desire to be with them.

I went and “forgave” my parents, but I look back painfully on that experience, as true love was not part of my “forgiveness”–just an unloading that made me feel better and shifted the burden to them. I could recount many instances of the same experience with other people.

To regain our “factory settings” does not mean feeling better than others, or becoming fixated with “saving the world,” or some other egotistical notion. It is a returning to love. For me, it is a slowwwwww process! But it has been slow, I’m now seeing, because it hasn’t been important enough to me. I’ve been obsessed with developing other–inferior “skills.”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

–Matthew 6:33 KJV

I hope you find your way back to your “factory settings.” A few words of hard-found wisdom for you, if I may:

#1: You are NOT evil–the evil inside you is from the Devil. It got inside you when you reacted to the evil outside of you.

#2: Be patient with yourself. Resist the temptation as best you can to judge yourself (and others, or course).

#3: Practice some form of stillness. I am regularly badgered by people who love to point out that I have been practicing this for so long and yet am still a (fill in the blanks!). Yet, true stillness is the main way I have actually been able to let go of some of the trash. Sometimes it has come through sheer pain, or…

#4: Be willing to expose hidden evil in yourself (and others if appropriate–that takes some wisdom, which hopefully you are growing in as a result of these practices). And, oh yeah, there’s one more point…

#5: Never give up hope! I have spiraled downward in my life whenever I lose hope. I believe loss of hope is the number one cause of depression.

I hope this article has been a help in some way to you. Feel free to let me know in the comments. I’m glad you read this far!

Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. He promotes natural health, success, and freedom during chaotic times. To reach Patrick, email him at [email protected].