Symbols of Safety vs. True Security
- KishaCameron
- Oct 26, 2024
- 5 min read
How to Find What Really Anchors You
Do you ever feel like the only certainty is uncertainty in you life? Like the quest for security is never-ending, unobtainable and universal? If you don't, move along and find a place to volunteer- will ya? If you do, you're not alone. Many of us turn to symbols of safety—wealth, status, relationships, and material comforts—believing that these external markers will bring us lasting peace. And yet, the quiet truth many of us encounter is an underlying emptiness, a feeling that no amount of external “safety” ever quite fills.
If you’ve felt that subtle void, that sense that something real is missing, you’re not alone. I am here for you! We’re going to explore how symbols of safety differ from true security and why moving beyond surface-level comfort is essential to build a life that feels anchored, empowered, and resilient.
Understanding Symbols of Safety and Their Limitations
Symbols of safety are what many of us reach for in the quest to feel secure. We rely on these external markers, believing they’ll offer a reliable sense of comfort.
Common examples include:
Wealth and Material Success: Often seen as the ultimate symbols of safety, wealth and possessions can create a sense of control over our lives. However, if our peace is tied solely to what we own or can acquire, it’s easily shaken by economic downturns or personal loss. This can lead to dependency, leaving us vulnerable to external factors we can’t always control.
Status and Social Approval: For many, recognition and social validation are powerful symbols of security. Titles, accolades, and social standing offer comfort, yet they can feel fleeting and conditional. Relying on them can pull us into a cycle of seeking validation that is fragile, easily lost if circumstances change.
Relationships as a Safety Net: While relationships are vital to our well-being, they can also become symbols we lean on to feel secure. Without a sense of inner stability, we may seek comfort in others, depending on them to fulfill our need for safety. When these relationships shift, the void we feel can be stark, as the foundation of safety was never internal to begin with.
These symbols can create a feeling of safety but often leave us with that subtle, imperceptible emptiness—a sign that something deeper is missing.
True Safety and Anchoring in Authentic Stability
Unlike symbols, true safety comes from an internal, sustainable foundation that we carry within us. The rally tough thing to accept about this is that YOU are in control of the following items. Taking ownership of yourself means cutting ties with giving your sense of self away to anything external. Cultivating security that doesn’t waver is a skillset. Like any professional athlete, or public figure, who works tirelessly to establish their credibility and appeal hones their skills, you also have the ability (rooted in resilience, self-trust, and a sense of connection to yourself) that can endure.
Here’s what real safety looks like across different aspects of life:
Psychological Safety: True psychological safety isn’t tied to wealth or recognition. It comes from inner resilience, grounded in self-acceptance and the ability to navigate change without losing one’s sense of self. When we have self-compassion, emotional regulation, and authentic relationships, we build psychological stability that isn’t shaken by external circumstances. We are all probably used to subjugating our power to the small off-hand comments from others. Things like " Well, that's great but did you see what Tony did?" That comment is referred to as Gaslighting and it is one of the most pervasively common responses that are legitimately damaging to psychological safety. Knowing how to rebuff and internally handling these comments is becoming evermore vital to your personal well-being.
Physical Safety: Real physical safety goes beyond locks, gated communities, or status symbols. It’s found in safe, supportive communities where people care for one another. True physical security arises when we have access to basic needs, healthcare, and stable environments—conditions that cultivate trust and cooperation, not just barriers. When your EAP program botches up your FMLA/STD leave and you don't receive the security you were promised this is a violation of your physical safety.
Social and Cultural Safety: Conformity to societal norms or belonging to specific social groups might offer a sense of safety, but real social security allows for authenticity. Inclusive communities, where we feel valued for who we are rather than what we represent, offer a kind of safety that nurtures our individuality and respects our unique worth. If you feel like this is a white unicorn with a rainbow horn, you're not wrong. You should never feel like you have to swallow back your values, beliefs, or integrity to belong. But, it happens more frequently than any of us want to admit.
Environmental Safety: Environmental safety in an external sense involves living in a clean or eco-friendly environment. Our brains easily go to sustainable ecosystems that support healthy life.....hopefully for generations to come, respecting natural cycles, and living in harmony with the planet. Real safety in our environment means an internal landscape where resources like energy, attention, emotions, and focus are preserved, bodily systems are healthy and we have time to enjoy the ACTUAL seasons. As an extension of our internal landscapes, we have the capacity to look around us and ensure our choices support ecosystems that are healthy, and communities are committed to sustainability.
It's a beautiful system, when we live from the inside out....rather than the outside in.
How to Shift from Symbols to Real Security
Relying on symbols of safety can leave us vulnerable to a quiet emptiness—a call to look inward and build something real.
Here are steps to begin that journey:
Cultivate Inner Resilience: Take time to build a stable foundation within. Resilience isn’t a trait we’re born with but a skill we develop through self-awareness, self-acceptance, and consistent emotional grounding. Journaling, meditation, and regular self-reflection can strengthen this inner security. If you're not up for any of these options, read about willpower and grit. Put on your big girl/boy pants/panties. Do the work. Face your underlying needs. It's not as scary as you think, I promise.
Invest in Authentic Relationships: Move beyond superficial connections and cultivate relationships based on mutual respect and genuine support. This doesn’t mean relying on others for safety but building a network that supports growth, resilience, and shared well-being. If you're like a large percentage of the population, you may not have ever experienced what relationships based on mutual respect and genuine support even are. You are not alone. It's ok. For you, authentic relationships will feel uncomfortable and disconcerting. If this is the case for you, personal development and Life Consulting are great options.
Embrace Environmental Responsibility: Internally and externally. Engage in sustainable practices and advocate for systemic changes that protect both environments. True environmental security means committing to actions that preserve your AND the planet’s resources and prioritize harmony within and with nature.
Focus on Community: Seek or build communities where inclusivity and shared responsibility are the foundation. A safe community is one that cares for its members, where people feel valued and connected. Look for Bright Day of the Heart for Men and for Women beginning in Denver, CO in November 2024. We are going to have A BLAST building local and national connections!
Embracing the Journey to Lasting Security
Moving from symbolic safety to real security is a journey, one that involves a shift in how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. It’s a choice to focus on resilience over appearance, on connection over status, and on sustainability over short-term comfort. As you explore this path, you may feel a deeper sense of grounding, one that no symbol can replicate.
Curious about how to deepen this process? If you’re ready to move beyond symbols and start building a life of genuine safety and empowerment, consider booking a private session. At Corevolutions Group, we help clients discover the tools, perspectives, and actions that bring real security into their lives.
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