I was scrolling on Instagram the other day, [a habit to which I am becoming more and more averse] and I stopped dead at a post I can only refer to as brazen.
It was the opinion of a life coach on a very common pain point, stated in big bold letters.
What it triggered in me, was heart quickening. I could feel the summoning of adrenaline and my inner bikini clad ring girl getting ready to signal the opening round of fight night.
I read the caption and yep, 'ding-ding-ding; round one'.
I see this everywhere: Life coach articulates a pain point and then tells you a 'truth' that it's your own fault you have it.
This is such bugbear of mine. Who are you to tell me what is true about my life?
Imagine going to the dentist and being told you're not getting any anaesthesia for your root canal because it's your fault you have the cavity in the first place.
What I hear when life coaches offer opinions like this is 'toughen up, buttercup'.
No thanks, I'll take my business elsewhere.
I no longer confide in these people or entrust them with my care. Been there done that, only hurt myself more.
I can't tell you how many teachers, coaches and therapists I've had to go through who saw me as nothing more than a problem to be fixed, before finding those who saw me as a person to be healed.
They're the good ones pilgrim and the best among them are those who's gift it is to hold that healing vision for you, even when you can't hold it for yourself; especially then.
And that's not your fault either.
I have been and continue to be so lucky in that regard. What each of my helpers have in common is that they value healing over fixing and compassion over judgement.
They certainly don't claim to know what is true for or about me.
If the truth is to set you free, it must be what is true for you, like really true; something that gives context and meaning to your life in a way that puts an end to all arguments against it.
This is why journaling is such a potent form of healing:
It helps you move toward what is true for you.
Journaling helps you really 'see' yourself.
It gives you a means to intuit and hold your own visions.
A life vision, rooted in truth is something so much more accurate, congruent with and valuable to your life than some generic preaching of how you or your mind [or whatever it is being named as 'wrong with you'], is the source of your own suffering.
No thanks.
Recently I’ve been working on a new IGTV series, 'Pages, unpacked'?
My most recent conversation is with a former student of the RAW process about the art of forgetting, which really evolved into a heart opening conversation about choosing healing over fixing.
We'd love for you to come over and offer your heart to listen.
This is an inspiring, intimate, generous and brave sharing from a member of the pilgrim community.
It is such an honour and a privilege to walk this path with the most beautiful of pilgrim souls and I'm just here today counting my blessings for that.
Please if you do form part of our listening circle, show your support and appreciation for that in the comments.
Always remember to reflect back light where you see it pilgrim, that's what we do.
You can watch here.
Guest Post by Amanda Grace
Read Amanda’s previous guest post RAW vs Messy HERE
On Friday the 28th of August, Amanda Grace will be doing a 🅕🅡🅔🅔 🅛🅘🅥🅔 🅐🅡🅣 jounraling session in our Art is Magic Community Facebook group at 5pm Irish time (UTC+1). You can join this free offering HERE (be sure to answer the questions when prompted to enter).
RAW with Amanda Grace begins on the 31st of August- for more information visit HERE
