The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Own your story, but do not allow it to dictate who you are.

Our minds LOVE to tell us stories.  Endless. Relentless. Berating. Debilitating. Inflating. Interfering. Sabotaging. False….I could keep going and going.  
 
I truly believe that we are never given more than we can handle.
 
Old stories and messages will surface when they are ready to be released.  This is how the path of healing works.  Layer-by-layer.  Piece-by-piece.  
 
We are never done….
 
These past few weeks for me personally, as well as so many whom I am interacting with, have brought up huge layers of work.  Triggered by the unfolding of some external events, my internal world was shaken.  Some very old stories and belief systems were activated.  
 
As I found myself in moments of collapse, angst, anger, grief, joy, confusion, overwhelm….I knew that that not only was this a tremendous and deep pattern and storyline but that it was also very outdated and past time to honor, acknowledge, embrace, and release. 
 
We cannot just push these stories away.  The more we resist looking closely at these old stories, the more they persist.

Yes, we have to own them, yet, it is critical to not allow our stories to dictate who we are and how we move through the world.  
 
There are so many ways of meeting ourselves in these spaces. Cultivating practices in which we are able to be gentle, kind, and compassionate with the whole of us.  
 

What can we do when we find ourselves in the swirl of old, interfering stories?  

A wonderful and effective approach is to spend some time writing down all of the messages and stories that are running on repeat in your mind. Dig deep here and do not hold back.  

I guarantee that you will be shocked at the wildness (and even harshness!) of your own mind within the stories that you are carrying around.  
 
Taking a good look at these is enlightening and hopefully even more motivating to interrupt, own, acknowledge, let go, and repair.  
 
Now, go back through your list and write a new narrative. Write a counter statement to each of them. Read them aloud. Feel them. Breathe them into your body and your heart.

Make it your practice of living to connect with the voice of truth rather than the habitual storyline.  
 
In midst of my own personal swirl, I had a conversation with a local energy healer whom I have known for over a decade, Annie Roberts.. She shared some beautiful tidbits and insight into this work that I wanted to share with you today.  Annie talks about “loosening the internal belief systems” and “bringing the distortion home”. 
 
From a holistic healing perspective, in this way we are integrating our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. We are embodying the whole of us through working with our ingrained stories and belief systems.  
 
Annie also suggests saying “hello to the wounds”.  Being in dialogue with them.  I see you.  I understand you.  I know you.  I love you.  You have a choice.  You can rest.
 
Something lightens within when we do this work.  Just acknowledging these stories in this way lessens their power and provides us with the space for choice.  It is not to say that they won’t resurface again, but each time they do we can hold ourselves in compassion.  
 
We can acknowledge them, thank them, and release them with a single breath.  
 
We can reclaim the true essence of who we are rather than operate from our stories.  
 
Everyone needs help and support at times.  We are not meant to go at this human life alone, in solitude.  If you are struggling, please reach out!  There are so many professionals with varying skills, knowledge, and expertise available to help during these times. Find your people. 
 
Cultivate authentic connections with those in your life.  
 
Be real about what is going on for you.  
 
Share your stories, own them, and release them.  

We are all in this together.