Storytellers

One way humans are different from other animals is our ability to spin a story in our minds almost as if by reflex. And the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves are the most important stories of all.

Storytelling is at the very heart of human civilization. It's one of the things that separates us from other animals ... notice I didn't say "elevates us over". I don't believe in a hierarchy where humans are superior to other animals. But we are, unquestionably, different. 

If, for instance, you grew up believing that you were a burden, a nuisance, a disappointment... that you didn't meet your "potential" (whatever that means) or that you were lazy, bad or shameful... you likely internalized these narratives about yourself because you had nothing else to compare these beliefs to ... no way to "check" your story, so to speak. And repetition from sources we should be able to trust, such as caregivers, parents and relatives, even teachers, coaches and other authority figures can reinforce these maladaptive beliefs inside of us.

Even if you're grown now, maybe even with children of your own, even if you can see the "reasons" why people may have given you these false narratives about yourself such as their past traumas ... even if you have found empathy for those who planted the seeds of these beliefs in you (and if you aren't in this place yet, that's okay, too) -- the fact remains that the stories live on in you.

Not just in your mind ... In your bones. In your muscle guarding, in your posture, in how you struggle with sleep, in how it's hard to focus a lot of the time... in so many ways. Not to mention your relationships. 

Even if you think your upbringing "wasn't that bad" ... it's likely that somewhere along the way, you picked up stories from somewhere that don't serve where you want to go ... who you were meant to become. None of us make it out of childhood unscathed, after all. 

There is a way out of this cycle of repeating these internalized beliefs. Truthfully, there are many, but I'm most familiar with the path I took personally. And I'm going to show you the map. I hope you'll follow along for the journey. It's one worth taking. 

Much love to you.

Contact Me: 

info@ajoyfulpassage.com