She said, “I’d like to offer my course for FREE.”
Before she was able to say another word, I asked, “Why for FREE? Why not charge a fee?”
She then said, "she wanted to make it accessible to all who have experienced similar traumatic experiences."
It was at that moment, I realized something about myself.
I used to think the same exact way.
I used to feel bad about myself for charging others who have been through similar traumatic experiences.
Part of the reason why I felt bad was because I was assuming they couldn’t afford it.
Over time though, I realized that not everyone who has experienced trauma in their lives is unable to afford things in life. This was just a bias I had based on my own experiences.
How can one truly escape the invisible prison walls if he or she is being treated as “less than”?
I’m not going to pretend as if I have all of the answers, rather I would like to share with you what I started doing when I first recognized this myself.
I had to develop confidence internally that I was worth what I was asking others to pay. I had to look in the mirror and ask myself, “How much would I pay for your service?”
I had to challenge the concept, “What makes you an expert?” by reminding myself that, “I am an expert of my own life.”
I had to start viewing everyone equally regardless of one’s circumstances.
“If you tell a story long enough, it becomes your truth.”
Today, I invite you to challenge your narrative if you can relate to my experience.
Challenge all of the assumptions and expectations you have about people who have experienced traumatic experiences.
Not everyone who has experienced trauma in their lives is unable to afford things. A matter of fact, this is just a bias some attach to this population.
I invite all of us to look at each other as human beings full of unlimited potential, rather than byproducts of our circumstances.
