Episode 15 - Mindfully Transforming Trauma: A Letter to My Inner Child
The theme of this season revolves around the concept of exploration, healing, and transformation. I have taken into account valuable feedback from listeners and I’m committed to continuing to focus on aiding listeners in the healing and self-discovery process. I firmly believe that healing can be achieved through a three-step process: exploring one's past, healing their present, and transforming their legacy.
To kick off the season, I’m joined by Mindfulness Coach Rashad Sanders who shares a deeply personal story, emphasizing the profound significance of mindfulness and being present. I admit the interview took an unexpected turn, but a powerful turn because I believe in the importance of the guest sharing their story.
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In order to rewrite your narrative and transform your life, it is crucial for individuals to delve into their past. By understanding what transpired in the past, you can then address and heal what is happening in the present, ultimately leading to a transformation of your legacy. One person has the power to inspire and transform an entire generation, and that’s why personal growth and healing are so important.
Overall, this season of the podcast aims to guide listeners on a transformative journey by exploring their past, understanding their present, and breaking free from unhealthy patterns and generational barriers.
In the episode, we focus on the importance of exploring one's past as a means to heal the present and transform one's legacy. Rashad’s personal story exemplifies that in order to rewrite one's story and make positive changes in one's life, it is crucial to first understand and address the events of the past.
The underlying idea is that our past experiences, including any trauma or negative patterns that may have been passed down through generations, can significantly impact our present circumstances. By reflecting on our past and examining the root causes of our current struggles, we can gain insight into how our past has shaped us and identify areas that require healing.
The process of exploring the past involves delving into personal history, understanding the experiences of family members, and reflecting on the events and circumstances that have influenced our lives. This introspective journey allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and the underlying factors contributing to their current challenges.
Through this exploration, individuals can initiate the healing process. By acknowledging and addressing past traumas, emotional barriers, and generational patterns, individuals can work towards resolving unresolved issues and finding ways to heal and grow. This healing process is essential for creating a positive and fulfilling present.
Furthermore, the episode suggests that by healing and transforming ourselves, we can also have a positive impact on future generations. Rashad and I discuss the idea that it only takes one person to transform a generation. By doing the necessary work to heal and break free from negative patterns, individuals can create a new legacy for themselves and inspire others to do the same.
Overall, the episode emphasizes the significance of exploring one's past, healing the present, and transforming one's legacy. By understanding and addressing the root causes of our challenges, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth, ultimately creating a positive impact on ourselves and future generations.
Practicing mindfulness is a powerful tool in the process of healing and transformation. In order to heal what is going on in the present and transform one's life moving forward, it is necessary to explore one's past and understand what happened in order to heal. Mindfulness can help individuals regulate themselves and be present in the current moment. It is as simple as slowing down, taking a few seconds, and taking a deep breath to be mindful of one's situation and what is going on internally.
The episode also highlights the role of journaling in healing inner child wounds. The guest on the show shares how he was able to heal through writing a letter to his younger self, expressing what happened and acknowledging his feelings. Journaling is described as a way to write down one's feelings and thoughts, and it is emphasized as a key tool for self-reflection and learning. I discuss how writing down one's experiences and revisiting them later can provide encouragement and support in moments when it is needed.
In this show he shares several tools you can use to help transform your traumatic story.
1.Mindfulness - Taking time to stop and slow down to pay attention to what is happening in the present moment.
2. Journaling - Writing down your feelings, thoughts and questions that come up throughout your day. As time passes you can go back to see how you’ve made progress.
3. Inner Child Work - Inner Child work involves exploring and addressing the unresolved emotions and experiences from your childhood that might still be influencing your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions as an adult. The idea is to reconnect with and nurture your "inner child" to promote healing and personal growth. It could involve reflecting on past memories, understanding how they shaped you, and offering yourself the love and understanding you may have needed back then. It's like a therapeutic journey to better understand and care for the younger version of yourself.
4. Get Grounded - We are energetic beings that are always moving and doing. “Getting grounded” refers to staying present and connected to the current moment. It's about anchoring yourself in the now, rather than letting your mind wander off into worries about the future or dwelling on the past. Think of it as planting your feet firmly on the ground of the present moment and fully experiencing what's happening around you.
5. Rootwork - Understanding the roots of your generational trauma so you can release baggage that isn’t even yours.
By being present and aware of one's experiences and emotions, individuals can better understand themselves and their past, leading to personal growth and the ability to create a new story for their lives.
If you need help on your healing journey and are interested in working with myself or Rashad, you can connect with us on our websites, email or social media. Healing is possible. Stay curious and keep doing the work to write a new life story.
In this episode, we cover:
[00:00:00] Acknowledging emotional wounds.
[00:06:00] Childhood trauma and healing.
[00:08:47] Trauma and its lasting impact.
[00:17:17] Hitting brick walls.
[00:19:58] A safe space at home.
[00:25:47] Fatherhood and healing.
[00:33:40] Generational trauma and patterns.
[00:38:04] Grounding and mindfulness techniques.
[00:42:33] Father's love and self-discovery.
[00:48:43] Uncovering suppressed grief.
[00:55:09] The power of written expression.
[00:57:10] Slowing down and being still.
[01:02:44] Knowing your true story.
[01:12:39] The importance of mindfulness.
[01:14:05] Mindfulness and journaling.
[01:17:37] Root work.
Quotes
"For a lot of people who have been wounded, sometimes what can bring some of the, maybe not heal the whole wound, but at least begin the process" -LaShonda Walker
"Dear Rashad, this letter is long overdue. And one that I hope sets both of us free. I don't know where to start because my feelings and memories of your eight-year-old life was filled with so much hurt and pain. I'm sorry. Sorry for the pain and trauma you went through." - Rashad Sanders
"You did not deserve to be beat for an entire week for something you didn't even do." - Rashad Sanders
"I can't keep doing this is not working. These systems that they told me, these rules that they said to follow, these boxes that they said to check." - LaShonda Walker
"That trauma was real. It's real. And it passes down." - Rashad Sanders
"The brain is an activity and everything we experience in life is coming after the attention of our mind." - Rashad Sanders
"Not just being beat out of our bodies, but when we are harmed and when we were hurt, we're not allowed to feel." - LaShonda Walker
"Just being still. And it, and it is a practice." - Rashad Sanders
“But when it mattered the most, he loved me the way he was supposed to love me because he knew that I would experience something in my life that would hurt so bad, I would need goodness" - Rashad Sanders
"Pay attention to where you are. That is how simple mindfulness is." - Rashad Sanders
"And there's different contexts for root work, but what we were talking about in terms of root work is understanding the roots of your generational trauma so you can release that baggage." - Rashad Sanders
"Discovering your authentic self is a process, but just stay curious and we'll work through it together." - LaShonda Walker
Guest Information:
Email: rashad.sanders@gmail.com
Website: https://mindfulmuscle.durable.co
Instagram: www.instagram.com/_mindfulmuscle
Linkdtree: https://linktr.ee/_mindfulmuscle