One of my favorite subjects to teach was Language Arts to middle school students, especially relunctant learners.
Did I care about the curriculum? Nope. I assume love to learn is in all outcomes. Did I care what they read? Nope. Could be a magazine. Comic book. Novel. Journal. Did I care how they read? Nope. They could sit. Lay down. In classroom. In hallway. Under a desk. Only rule was quiet. If you weren't interested in reading. Draw. Journal. Sleep. Just don't disturb others. What I cared about was instilling a love to read. A love to learn. A love to critically think. A love to focus on topics of interest and growth.
I use the same approach with myself and with clients. Empower yourself with knowledge. Read.
“Go out in the woods, go out. If you don't go out in the woods nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin.”
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves
Ready to incorporate reading on your healing journey?
Life is a journey, so is healing. Why do I read? I read books to expand my knowledge base, expand my growth, for pure enjoyment. I love of reading was instilled in me at an early age by my Nan. When I had sleep overs, she always read to me at bedtime. I remember her reading to my grandfather who was illiterate. Her home was full of books. I know some of her wisdom came from the love of reading.
Heading #1: Why read as a healing tool?
The past few years as I learn to live with PTSD, I found solace in understanding my nervous system, generational trauma, energy psychology, holistic healing, nature therapy, pagan ways....
I've also been more of a non-fiction reader, probably due to my neurodivergence. :-) I love to learn, just for the sake of learning. As I read different authors on subjects regarding the healing journey, I found it interesting how the message remainded the same even when the language was different.
“Your inability to move forward or make changes isn’t about you, it’s an extension of the conditioned patterns and core beliefs you developed in your childhood.”
― Nicole LePera, How To Do The Work
Heading #2: Reading for Healing growth?
For me, the key to reading was for empowerment. With trauma, especially PTSD/CPTSD becoming empowerment, bringing the power back in my own hands has been key. As my injuries are due to workplace violence, I was often engaging in systems with little to no trauma informed practices. Reading other individuals who shared their stories, whether it's in a book style or even online, slowly gave me confidence. I didn't feel so alone. I didn't feel so lost.
Reading became a tool for me for growth. I didn't want to stay stuck, I want to expand my ability to heal my nervous system. I also refused to work with individuals who little to no trauma informed practices, or even trauma experiences.
If you're healing, ensure your team is trauma informed.
“Witch, we walk in fire, because we ARE the fire.”
― Lisa Lister, Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic.
Heading #3: As a Reader are you Feeling Empowered?
This is key for the topics you pick to read. I can suggest a long list of books I have read on my healing journey, but if they don't resonate with you, they won't empower you. Find authors you love. Check out library books. Seek authors social media. Look for themes of interest.
EMPOWER YOURSELF!
Lori Anne
xo
#holisticcounsellor #holisticcounselling #holistichealth #healingjourney #selfhealers #coldwatertherapy #holistichealig #pagan #naturetherapy #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth
"Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart."
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