What we speak ...

"wounded, not stupid"

Jill Bolte Taylor

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is the author of the book entitled: STROKE of INSIGHT.  She was recently interviewed on Super Soul Sunday by Oprah Winfrey.  (This video can be viewed any time:  www.oprah.com ) Although I have read this book several years ago, and revisited it numerous times, I was once again touched by this interview.

Jill Bolte Taylor experienced a stroke impacting the left side of her brain while the right side of her brain remained aware.  She lost her memory, her language, her ability to talk, but was was aware of everything that went on around her.  If you have not yet read her story, you really need to do so, as she has survived to teach us all a better way of relating to our selves and to others.

There are numerous lessons to be learned from this real life story, but today as I listened, a few phrases jumped out at me.  She was talking about how people reacted to her when she had her stroke, how they adjusted their level of communication.  She said of her self, "I was wounded, not stupid!"  This comment made me aware of how many times we find ourselves feeling awkward, and respond to others as though they were children. 

She spoke of the overwhelming comfort she experienced when a woman (her mother whom she did not recognize) moved back the covers of her hospital bed and crawled into bed with her, embracing her tightly and holding her.  I was reminded that sometimes touch is more important than lame words.

Jill Bolte Taylor suggests that we maintain an attitude of gratitude to navigate through life.  Realizing she no longer remembered the 'old baggage' of her life, she endeavored to not create new.  She stated it took 90 seconds for an emotion to be felt in your body and we get to choose whether or not we want to keep recycling that feeling or not.  Paying attention to what we are thinking is pivotal in maintaining both emotional and physical health.

Such simple examples, and yet they are ones we so frequently experience.  We must strive to be respectful to the sick or impaired.  We must remember the importance of physical touch especially with our elders.  We must monitor what we allow to linger in our minds. 

 "What we speak becomes the house we live in."

HAFIZ