Shania doesn’t believe her singing has gotten any better since the “healing tour” began on OWN, yet she recognizes that it has very little to do with her voice. She understands that without healing she can’t get back to what she loves…signing. Once again stepping out of her comfort zone, Shania reminds us all the “if you’re not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.” This week Shania took those steps closer to the edge and to facing her fears by rock climbing.
By pulling herself up and refusing to give up, Shania took another symbolic journey to overcome her own self-doubt. She went through several rituals in this episode in order to help her move forward and heal. She began with rock climbing, a little jam session in the dirt and then….on to Golden Willow Retreat in Taos, New Mexico. While staying at a center that provides support in grief and loss, Shania re-looked at the death of her parents, the death of her marriage and so much more. Here she met Ted who had experienced a HUGE amount of loss…his brother, first wife, both of his daughters….just too much. All of this led to him creating this retreat for others who are having a hard time dealing with their own losses. Knowing that hope is a gift in the midst of loss, Ted did his best to help Shania through her own.
As they began, Ted shared “here’s where you chisel down to get to your true gems…your heart”. As they discussed Shania’s losses, Ted noted that it was important to allow your wounds in your life time to heal….to be seen, heard and valued. As they worked through some of the issues, Shania shared why the betrayal of her friend hit so deeply. Blindsided, she felt she should have “defended myself, defended my family, defended my marriage or defended the way my marriage ended”. Ted was quick to point out that Shania had no control over those areas and to remind her that you “can only clean my side of the street. I can’t clean the other side” referring to the lack of control over being able to do anything about Mary Ann’s actions. When she asked him whether she should confront Mary Ann, he simply asked her whether she choose to stay caught in the drama of the past or if she would rather step out of it… an easy choice if you ask me. I think she has given Mary Ann more time than she ever deserved.
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