When I qualified as a human potential coach last year, I spent some time trying to focus on exactly what it was that I was offering to potential clients. I came up with various blurbs and explanations until I settled on one idea, which was actually based on a quote from Oprah Winfrey: turning wounds into wisdom.
To me this seemed to encapsulate what The Pearl Within is all about: delving deep into your most painful experiences to find buried treasure. But then I realised that in this context, wounds are really just stories we tell ourselves that still trigger an emotional response.
I’m now evolving a way of working with clients (and groups) that involves eliciting people’s stories and helping them understand that within these stories is the source of their greatest potential.
It’s a work-in-progress so I’m still conducting research and sourcing inspiration. And it was on one such search that I came across the book Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make A Difference, by John Capecci and Timothy Cage.
This book is principally aimed at advocates for causes but contains plenty of useful information for anyone who wishes to explore their story. One simple exercise that attracted my attention is called My Six-Word Reason, which prompts you to sum up why you’re telling your story.
It could be a core belief, a particular experience, something that sums up a lifetime but it’s always a personal reason rather than a goal. For example, “I want to end world hunger” is a goal; “I’ve seen too many hungry children” is a personal reason
So yes, that got me thinking about why I want to help people turn wounds into wisdom. And I had only six words to play with. Here’s what I came up with:
I finally rewrote a painful story.
A new story set me free.
I was lost then found myself.
I saw too much silent suffering.
I lost Dad and found myself.
Because loss can transform into gain.
Because life isn’t all about pain.
Because pain can conceal great joy.
My pain became my greatest gain.
As I said, it’s a work in progress so I’ll carry on with that exercise until I come up with the six words that hit the nail on the head. If you fancy trying this exercise, generate as many six-word reasons as you like. It can help you claim an identity as an advocate within your own story.
So what are your six words?
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