Can we really heal by becoming ourselves? If true, it would be hugely empowering for us all!
Earlier today I received a second-hand book in the mail which I forgot I even ordered.
I briefly flicked through the pages and stumbled upon a quote that made me stop and think. Here is the quote:
‘Healing may not so much be about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn’t you – all of the expectations, all the beliefs – and becoming who you are.’ – Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.
I am a strong believer in the importance of finding to your true authentic self and to find their inner value compass I offer people my courses, my latest book ‘The SilkeyWay Method to A Meaningful Life full of Joy’ and my coaching support to help them reach this blissful level of well-being. What strikes me reading this quote is that a medical doctor goes beyond my belief and experience of people finding aliveness, motivation, mental peace and well-being when becoming more authentic. She suggests that becoming your true self and letting go of everything you are not, seems fundamental for healing, not just emotionally but physically. Isn’t that exciting?
It means you can help yourself, you are in charge and you can grab the reigns of your life and support your own healing. It seems very closely aligned with what I describe as Personal Leadership, a highly empowered authentic state of being (you can read more about Personal Leadership here).
Of course, our society has conditioned us to perform to a different tune, the opposite even. In order to be liked, acknowledged and validated online and offline, we feel we have to put on a mask, change how we appear to others in order to maximise the likelihood of them approving of us. We emphasise what gets us praise and validation and bury the parts of us that don’t. Over time, we lose touch with who we truly are and pay for it with feelings of emptiness and lack of meaning even when we are outwardly successful and reach our goals. Is that why we see such high levels of illness, why we are all sicker than ever? Like in my own case when stress resulted in cancer, we can not ignore how our bodies are impacted by this inauthentic way of life.
So maybe Remen is right and what it really takes to heal ourselves and find back to not just emotional but physical health, is bringing up the courage to return to who we truly are, returning home to our true authentic self.
What do you think? Does any of this resonate with you?