Words Can Heal

16

words can heal


“The desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain. Almost all of our thoughts inevitably revolve around this desire” -Robert Greene 

I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that the first book I ever committed to came at a very low point. On the surface I had it all. High paying job, nice crib, nice car, beautiful family, and everywhere I went everybody loved me. Yet, I was still unhappy.    

When I first picked up Robert Greene Laws of Human Nature I didn’t know what was to come. As a matter of fact, I don’t know why I picked it up. At that time I didn’t have the courage to go and ask for help because I was scared to be weak. But there was something inside of me (Thank God) that was pushing me towards change. I needed to change. Desperately. 

I learned about irrationality, narcissism, short-sightedness, and many other aspects of human nature that were brand new. The more I read the more my jaw dropped. It was as if my deepest and darkest secrets were being exposed. I thought someone had stolen my diary. But that couldn’t have been true because I’d never written anything.

I learned how my household conditions led to my patterns of avoidance. I learned that my desire for attention and pleasure started as a high profile naive teenager. I learned how my emotions controlled me. All my beliefs, notions, and ideals about society were put under a microscope and analyzed. It was as if I was undergoing an exorcism. Every new piece of information was shocking. Indirectly, I was becoming more self aware.

I was humbled and ashamed. All this time I had no awareness of the damage I was doing to myself or to others. I felt guilty. People always talk about looking in the mirror but they never say how hard that shit actually is. However, through the wincing, there was a sliver of me that was relieved. Eventually I forgave myself because at the end of the day- I didn’t know what I didn’t know. And when you know better you do better. I’m not perfect and never will be. I’ve allowed myself to heal because I am aware and I can acknowledge my shortcomings. I have a vocabulary for it. I realized that part of my problem before the book was that I never thought it was important to express your emotions and I never had any techniques to do so. This sprang my career as a writer. 

Parker Palmer, an American author says: “Wholeness is not perfection. It’s embracing your brokenness as an integral part of your life.” 

I’ve said things I don’t mean, I’ve been weak, I’ve failed, I’ve lied, I’ve cheated, I’ve manipulated people. This is what I kept from the light and this is why the bad habits grew. This is not something I’m proud of, but this is who I am. I’m able to embrace all of myself fully. Without hiding. At the end of the day, all of us are just looking for somewhere we can be free. A place where we don’t have to put on a face. A place where we don’t have to compete. A place where we can just be. My wholeness has allowed me to be real with others. It’s transformed me into a better coach and mentor and one thing I’ve learned for certain is that I’m not alone. This birthed compassion. A radical compassion for the human condition. It’s crazy how it all started with a book. 

“Get free-be who you’re supposed to be” -Lauryn Hill 

With peace
Latt

Are there any books, verses, phrases, quotes, that have changed your life? Any special words that you hold onto? Drop them in the comment section below.