One day years ago, while I was waiting for a traffic light to turn green, I spoke with a woman who was begging for change. I had made a mental note to share the following idea the next time I saw a homeless person. I said “I don’t have food or change but I’ve always wanted to share this idea with someone in your position.” She nodded her consent. Continuing, I said “I feel that the best sign to hold would be one written with lipstick on a mirror reading “who are we?”” She laughed and said “Oh, I’d get beat up for that!” I acknowledged the likely truth of her words, smiled a hug and wished her well as the light turned green.
Who are you? The woman I spoke to at the traffic light, probably had not thought before of the idea I shared with her (or something similar), and yet she understood me completely. For both these reasons she laughed. Why had she not thought of my idea? How was she able to understand me completely?
Trauma is the installation of fear and a lie at the same time. It’s effect is to limit freedom of thought (imagination) and create energy blockages in the body. One manifestation of these effects is believing, at a subconscious level, that we are some version of powerless, bad, invisible, unwanted, unworthy, alone, not enough, too much, unloved, etc. – in other words what Katherine Woodward Thomas calls the False Love Identity. These beliefs then shape how we show up (or don’t show up) in relationship.
The loving presence of another (whether internalized, imagined, or in reality), the guidance of helpful questions, and embodiment practices are the necessary components of becoming more and more who we truly are. Manifesting the partnership of your dreams is a beautiful (and on-going) byproduct of this Becoming. You ARE. I AM. We ARE.
Both special and free, there is no need to speak.