If you want to help make the world a better place in any other way,

you have to start by becoming whole yourself.

All Priscilla’s fears about telling her story were realistic; in fact, all of them came to pass.

As she recounted especially painful experiences,

she did feel unbearable sadness — but to her surprise,

It dissolved very quickly once it was voiced and heard.

Once Priscilla had experienced the profound relief of releasing her pain,

she would never again hide her emotional wounds from everyone.

There’s a good reason your brilliant little brain shoved your pain into unconsciousness:

You didn’t have the necessary emotional support to deal with it on your own.

You wouldn’t open up a literal, physical bullet wound just anywhere, or get just anyone to help.

You’d want a sanitary operating room with all the amenities

and the best-trained surgeon available.

Most people don’t seem to realize that emotional wounds

need to be given the same kind of respect.

An effective “surgical” listener is someone who: