What are you listening to?

From the moment we take our first breath in this world, we are influenced by all the voices around us. Our parents have a vision for who we should or could be. When we start school, our teachers see us in a certain light, and this also impacts the way we view ourselves. Do you have a belief such as, I am disorganized? Such beliefs likely stem from hearing these words repeatedly as a child.
While the village that raises us is usually well-meaning, the adults tend to forget that children absorb what they are taught very quickly, and these teachings become beliefs which influence every area of the children’s lives.
Now is the time for each of us to get to know who we are at our core, without all the voices directing us.

1. Tap into your being and listen to the voice within: You came into this world with a powerful knowing of who you are but the externalA purple ribbon with the words "your voice is important" influences shifted that. Check in and see why you do the things you do, for example, having dinner with someone regularly, attending a talk, or anything else you do that brings out strong or discomforting emotions. Do you do it for yourself because it feels right in your heart? Or do you do it because it is expected of you by those around you? Your emotions are your guide, and if it feels right in your heart to say yes or no to something, then it is the best course of action to take.

2. Listen only to the voices that matter: All the people we are surrounded by each day in our families, work environments, education spaces, and even those we interact with when we run errands, all see us in a certain way. The different spaces we operate in get to see different sides to us. Some people can be critical, making us feel bad. In such a case, ask yourself, is this someone that matters and has my best interest at heart? If not, that voice doesn’t count. If it is a yes, listen to what they are saying and see if it fits you – in your heart, is what they are saying something to listen to? Even those who love us are not always right about us.
3. See yourself through another’s eyes: Often how we view ourselves includes our insecurities, fears, and feelings of unworthiness. Others see us in an entirely different light. If you were to ask people how they see you, you may be surprised by their answers. What we feel uncertain about within ourselves, others tend to see as beautiful qualities that they admire about us. Sometimes stepping back and allowing others to reflect how they see us can show us sides to ourselves that we didn’t even realize exist. This can be a powerful way to build yourself up, provided you are hearing from those who are coming a place of love and have no ulterior motive.

What have you discovered about yourself that you didn’t know before? Explore more here.

Many Blessings,
Santa

RUNNING THROUGH DARKNESS
MEMOIR OF A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

BY SANTA MOLINA-MARSHALL ‧ RELEASE DATE: MAY 3, 2022

This debut memoir chronicles a woman’s spiritual exploration and growth as she overcame a disturbing childhood and helped others heal.

Brought to America from the Dominican Republic as a youngster, Molina-Marshall should have led a happy life. Her father was a diligent worker, and his large family wanted for nothing. But the author recounts that her dad had a drinking problem and was a serial philanderer. Molina-Marshall’s long-suffering mother left him for a woman. Then it was all downhill for the bright, 12-year-old girl, who was shuttled between foster care and relatives. According to the author, she was sexually abused by the husband of one of her siblings. This resulted in Molina-Marshall becoming alienated and moody. By 15, she simply tried to survive. In her favor were grit and a restless intelligence. She quit school, rented a room, and found a factory job. Time went by, and for a while she was happily married. Yet when her husband left her, her life truly began. She turned to religion for answers but decided that blaming God for her woes was a cop-out. 

In this absorbing and moving memoir, Molina-Marshall’s vivid storytelling is fearless. She frankly discusses the truths she discovered and the indignities she suffered. These admissions are disclosed with a touch of resignation and plenty of bite. However painful, everything she experienced was a lesson, and she bravely realized that she was part of the problem: “The fear of being hurt, rejected, or abused often led to me feeling lonely and misunderstood. No one knew the agonizing pain I felt being trapped in my thoughts and anger. I was becoming my biggest threat.” 

The author skillfully recounts her intricate spiritual journey. To deal with her psychic wounds, she searched for an inspirational system. Her open-mindedness led her to the interfaith concept—cherry-picking from various religions and spiritual movements, yoga, and Indigenous beliefs as a way of finding peace. Along with her female partner, she built a therapy practice, making use of every spiritual element that aided her and others. The road was bumpy, and she found that women of color in same-sex relationships were not welcomed everywhere. To do good works—and finally live on her own terms—she effectively overcame bigotry.

An engrossing, cathartic account of empathy and success through determination and confidence.

Pub Date: May 3, 2022   |    ISBN: 978-0-578-38315-6  |   Page Count: 264    | Publisher: From Trauma to Triumph  |   Review Posted Online: June 13, 2022