MindBodyGreen, power of stories, thankful, therapist
One email from a stranger made a difference in my life.
Here it is:
“I just read your article on MindBodyGreen. I am in awe of the timing of everything this morning. I have a had painful childhood similar to yours. I am always scared to share it with people because I am afraid of their reaction. I am afraid of them thinking that somehow that’s who I am. For most of my life it has been a secret. Yesterday, I told my alcoholic mother that I can’t be around her anymore. Feeling so much fear and anxiety this morning, and then I read your article. The timing of it is just so perfect. Your article truly helped me this morning know that my future doesn’t have to have that pain in it, and that I am on the right path.”
I read it and felt so incredibly thankful. Maybe my story gave him a little bit of hope that his future can be different from his past.
I thought: This is why I write.
His email made me feel like I am zeroed in on my purpose. It isn’t easy to be vulnerable and share my story, but if doing so can make the tiniest bit of difference in just one person’s life–it’s worth it.
Sharing my story made him feel like he is on the right path, and his email made me feel like I’m on mine.
What an incredible gift he gave me.
Here is the story I shared: The 4 Best Lessons I Learned From Seeing A Therapist In My 20s
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” ―Brene Brown
