A new-to-me term - Moral Injury

While reading the New York Times newsletter last week, one article stood out to me. It introduced a new term, at least new to me, and it was surprising how much it resonated with what I'm feeling.

Whether due to work, colleague issues, health complications, or the state of our country, this term may help explain what we're feeling, which is the first step to dealing with it.

From the article:

“When one feels their values have been compromised — either by themselves or others — it can lead to feelings of shame that in turn cause depression and anxiety. The mental health world has a word for this distress: moral injury. Read about how to recognize and handle it.”

I found the most compelling example in the comment section of the article, highlighting the recognition, identification and resolution of moral injury. She may not be changing the world, but she aligned herself with her values while making a difference in her community."

by Abbie Sewall, Brunswick, Maine

I operated a small farm business as an organic elderberry grower, and had learned the basic necessity of building healthy, living soil. For reasons that seemed right at the time, I found myself retiring to a HOA whose property manager spent the majority of our homeowner fees on a dozen harmful landscaping chemicals each growing season. Our town is atop eight watersheds on a deep bed of sand. Everything we put on our lawns and gardens flows out to the bays. I experienced a crisis of integrity knowing my monies contributed to this irresponsible behavior. Martha Beck's book, "The Way of Integrity" helped me articulate my deep dis-ease and find the courage to change. I had to re-focus my attention towards changing town ordinances about pesticides -- and move out of the HOA. This defining choice to follow 'the way of integrity' energized me to do this work, and brought me more peace in heart and mind.