I’ve never met Jodi Aman in person but, my dream is one day I will. Just looking at the photo on her blog of her beautiful smiling face warms my spirit and makes me smile from the inside out. Today, Jodi shares her incredible gifts with us – she is an amazing soul shining light for all the world to find themselves in the brilliance of their own magnificence.
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What a pleasure to be asked to reflect on how, what, and why I make a difference in other people’s lives by such a beautiful soul as Louise. It allowed me to step back from my life, reflect on my daily tasks, and think about the impact they potentially have on others. (The good, bad, and in between.)
Reflecting Back The Light
By Jodi Aman
When I started my inspirational Facebook page Heal Now and Forever Be In Peace a friend posted this on my wall: There is somewhere close to you and within you where people come to their true nature once again. Evelyn Prieto
So many people see a poor version of themselves. They see the failure, the shame, and the mistakes. All of these hide so many other beautiful stories of who they are. These other stories may be of connection, love, effort, kindness, strength, hope, and/or compassion. And no matter how invisible they appear to be, they are present in everyone’s life.
It is my greatest desire to discover and bring these other stories out into the open, breathing more life into these identities, than the shabby self image they have been experiencing. I begin this process in the first contact with people. I open my ears and my heart to a person’s goodness. I welcome the light within to reveal itself. I pray to Spirit, “Show me who he/she is.”
I want to bore through the dark shame, guilt, blame, fear, and doubt that may be choking them, and see the bright soul as Spirit sees it. Never denying people their hard time, or blowing off the trauma and tribulations of their lives, I simply assume that something else exists as well. Something bigger, less limited. More “real.” But everything is allowed, the dark and the light. (Only by being accepted can problems be processed and dissolved.)
I have faith I will find the “alternative story”, and so people deliver, showing me their light. Maybe unconsciously at first. But, then, I reflect it back to them. I tell them what I have heard in their stories, what I understand from their explanations, and what I noticed in their actions. And, through my eyes, they can see the preferred self that they may have been blind to. Heartened, they begin to be that light in conscious ways, more readily showing it to me, to themselves, and to others.
So, maybe this is what Evelyn was saying, I help people become more themselves. But I realize, through these interactions, I am inspired let go of fear and anger in my own life, and see my problems from a big picture view. When I am lost, I, too, ask Spirit to show me who I am. I get out of my own way and allow myself to see. So then, I become more the me that I want to be. And I find peace and light even in my darkest days.
Jodi is a mom, a blogger, a psychotherapist, and a workshop leader, dedicated to helping other heal spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Her free ebook What Is UP In Your DOWN? Being Grateful In Seven Easy Steps
Find Jodi on Facebook — Heal Now and Forever Be In Peace,
join Jodi on Twitter @JodiAman,
add Jodi on Google+ Jodi Aman, or read more articles at HealthyPlace.com!
Dare Boldly 
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Jodi, you chose a great profession. So many need help as you can provide, so compassionately. Great post, my friend.
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When I read this post, I immediately thought about kids, or teenagers, more specifically, and how an approach like this could help troubled teens with ‘course correction’ to a better, brighter future.
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Lisa, it comes from the same narrative training! We are on the same wavelength!
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Wonderful guest post, Louise. I follow you both and I share your dream of meeting Jodi some day!
Jodi, you are a model and an inspiration, to see the good and let it beget more good. I have always loved the idea of re-storying, coming up with a different way of seeing yourself. (I actually included this concept in my current post, coincidentally!) It is my favorite technique in family therapy, but you really seem to have the gift of making others see themselves in new ways. So beautifully written too!
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Thank you everyone for dropping by and visiting! I am on a cellular link to my computer — slow as molasses — which is why this is just one general response. Jodi is amazing – and her blog is enlightening and I appreciate the gift of her sharing her words and wisdom here. And I appreciate all of you too!
Thanks.
From the shores of Barry’s Bay up Chippewa Road
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Great post! That video is so funny:)
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🙂
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What a great guest post Jodi sounds like a great woman………
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Thanks, Joan, how sweet!
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***I help people become more themselves**
Jodi, what a GREAT gift you have, dearest. Xxxx
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Kim, I have been thinking of you and your capacity to love. It takes my breath away!
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Thank you, Jodi, for sharing your guest blog with us! You are a light-filled, love-filled person who has helped me tremendously. You always seem to “get” what I’m trying to say, and I appreciate it.
Wonderful blog, Louise! Glad I found it!
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Thanks, Tina, you have a gift of sharing your insides that help people feel normal. It is an incredible mission.
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Jodi, I admit that in the past, I have associated darkness with being in a bad place; with despair. However, experience leads you to understand that like you mention, one can find peace in the darkness. If we but sit and contemplate why we find ourselves there, the answers will come. Soon we will be able to appreciate both light and darkness as part of the process which allow us to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Wonderful post! 🙂
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i did not say it as beautifully as you just did, Bella!
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Thanks, Fi! Ia m so glad to meet you and honored that you read my blog. You made my day to know it touched someone in this way!
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Sometimes blogs just grab you – Jody’s did that to me, signed up for the free e-book and plan to do some more investigating. Thanks for this great share
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