Healing Voices on the Way to Re-discovery
There is a voice out there for everyone—a source of inspiration and hope. This voice can guide you through difficult times, showing you what it means to persevere, be brave, and support those in need. This person might be a close friend, an artist, a character from a film or book, a teacher, an activist, or a musician—it could be anyone who resonates with your experiences and sets an example that inspires you.
It’s enlightening when someone can articulate what our hearts know but struggle to express. This understanding empowers us to rise above our circumstances and present ourselves to the world in the way we desire. It’s comforting to know that someone else understands our struggles. Those who help us see ourselves are the heroes in our lives. To me, a hero is someone who embodies our deepest longings and desires and helps us find strength and resilience in the face of challenges.
I recently shared on my Instagram stories that one of my heroes is Mariah Carey. While she is widely recognised as one of the best singers in the world, her influence on me goes beyond her incredible voice—it’s the stories she tells through her songs. When I was a pre-teen, her lyrics gave voice to feelings I didn’t yet know how to express. Her music validated my emotions and helped me feel less alone. Seeing her overcome numerous challenges to achieve success inspired me to keep going, proving that it’s possible to rise above difficulties. This highlights just how powerful and healing other people's stories can be.
Today, my heroes are my clients. I am constantly inspired by their commitment to themselves, showing up week after week, often forgetting and then remembering their 'why.' Their courage to keep moving forward during the toughest times moves me deeply. When I see them realise their worth and inherent goodness—not just as an intellectual understanding, but as a profound inner knowing—I’m reminded of how precious and meaningful life truly is.
Here’s the most amazing thing about heroes: they often reflect qualities we hold within ourselves. My therapist recently shared a quote that sums this up beautifully: "The person you wish you were is who you really are but haven't yet learned to be" (Parks, p. 160). Our heroes help us recognise and embrace all parts of ourselves. As Mariah Carey sings:
"There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away."
I invite you to reflect on the heroes in your life. What qualities do they possess? How do they navigate the world? What about them inspires and awes you? Now consider that all those admirable qualities are also within you.
Take a moment to ponder this: Could it be that you are no less than the heroes you admire? What if the beliefs that tell you you aren't like them are the real 'villains'? These healing thoughts could serve as reminders of your journey to rediscover your wholeness. How are you already being your own hero right now?
Continue the search for that hero within you. You are worthy of recognition and admiration.
Quote source: Counsellor's Guide to Park's Inner Child Therapy by Penny Parks (p. 160).
Lyrics source: Mariah Carey from the song 'Hero'
