In an effort to be perceived as strong, how many of us squelch our own needs, suffering and cries for help? I’ve observed it in a relative who at a funeral, suppressed her anguish so that she could be the container to hold everyone’s grief. And I sometimes catch myself apologizing incessantly or automatically replying, “Good!” when people ask how I’m doing.

Yet, we keep doing it. We do it despite the fact that these little untruths will often lead to anguish, inauthentic living and long-term, irreversible health problems down the road. But the fear of how our truth will be received, the fear of being exposed in all of our vulnerabilities can be too overwhelming, too difficult to face.

The truth is it takes a lot more courage and strength to reveal where we feel weak. But if we stick with it, if we allow others to see all of who we are and hold us when we’re in need, the risk we take will be well-worth the sacrifice. Choosing to walk that road takes guts, but it also puts us on the path towards greater awareness, well-being and self-healing. This week take the first steps by discovering what it will take to begin healing yourself.

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