Deborah King - Truth Heals: What You Hide Can Hurt You

truth heals

truth heals

WHAT YOU HIDE CAN HURT YOU

DEBORAH KING

HAY HOUSE, INC.

Carlsbad, California New York City

London Sydney Johannesburg

Vancouver Hong Kong New Delhi

Copyright 2009 by Deborah King

Published and distributed in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com Published and distributed in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Published anddistributed in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk Published and distributed in the Republic ofSouth Africa by: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.za Distributed in Canada by: Raincoast: www.raincoast.com Publishedin India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Cover Design: Brand Navigation
Cover Photography: Carl Studna
Interior Design: Benjamin Cziller, www.imagedriven.com
Interior Layout: Turtle Bay Editorial and Design

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithout prior written permission of the publisher.

The author of this book is neither a medical doctor nor a licensed psychologist and the ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for the advice of a trained health professional. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Consult your physician and/or psychologist before adopting the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. In addition, the statements made by the author regarding certain products and services represent the views of the author alone and do not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any product or service. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book or of any products mentioned herein.

The names and identifying characteristics of the people discussed in this book have been changed to protect their privacy.

Visit our Website www.truthheals.com for more information.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008925734

ISBN: 978-1-4019-2301-3

12 11 10 09 4 3 2 1

1st edition, February 2009

Printed in the United States of America

I would like to acknowledge all those who have sought my help over the years, in my private practice, at workshops, and at public events. Your belief that it is possible to live your lives fullydespite the pastand your faith in your own truth give this book its spirit.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project could not have been accomplished without the support, guidance, and influence of many people. Much gratitude goes to the following key individuals:

Parvati Markus, editor and friend, whose keen mind and literary wisdom are invaluable. More than an editor, she is also a contributor, researcher, and source of inspiration, not just for this book but for everything I write. My life has been blessed by her brilliance and friendship. Every day I am grateful for her sense of humor and insight into the creative process. With deep respect and enormous gratitude for our working partnership. Words cannot express my appreciation for all you have done and all that you are.

Louise Hay, Reid Tracy, and all the staff at Hay House: Stacey Smith, Margarete Nielsen, Heather Tate, Jeannie Liberati, Jacqui Clark, and Lindsay Condict, who were all instrumental in getting this message out, and Patricia Gift and Laura Koch, for their insights and literary polish, adding just the right touch.

A big thank you also goes to Marilyn Warren, organizational genius and long time friend, and Scott Hartley, marketing guru and tech guy extraordinaire, for keeping everything running smoothly and being so supportive.

Jan Stake for her accounting expertise and friendship.

Peter Hurley, L.Ac., for his professional review.

Chris Shull, for assisting with the initial draft and helping me turn my memoir and case histories into one cohesive whole; Maria Croke and Geralyn Gendreaux for their superb editing skills and enthusiasm for the many subsequent drafts.

Terri Jay, for her patient listening and enduring friendship.

Heather McElwain, Turtle Bay Design, for taking such professional pride in each and every step of the process.

Brand Navigation, whose artwork graces this cover and whose integrity and commitment to their work is a true inspiration.

Carl Studna, photographer extraordinaire, whose intimate portraits of such figures as Paul McCartney and the Dalai Lama are known worldwide.

But most of all, my work and this book would not be possible without my husband, Eric, who has always been by my side.

Truth is like the sun.

You can shut it out for a time,

but it aint goin away.

Elvis Presley

A bumper sticker on a car in front of me reads:

In a world of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

Truth heals. But how? And why? And what good does it do anyway?

Plenty.

Telling the truth is about freedom. It is about joy and peace and health and living a life that is meaningful, powerful, connected, and loving. Ultimately, telling the truth is about feeling good in your own skin, unencumbered, free, and having the life that you want to live.

So why do lies so often seem nicer, tidier, easier?

The truth is often uncomfortablebecause so much shame and guilt are attached to it, because it has been suppressed and left unspoken for years.

The truth is a force of such magnitude that it demands to be known, one way or another. If buried, the truth will push its way to the surface. Denial or suppression of the truth will manifest as ill health, dysfunctional relationships, or financial problems. The truth does not remain silenced or suppressed comfortably. It may take a lifetime, but the truth will win out. As any good detective will tell you, even dead men tell tales.

I receive at least 15 frantic messages an hour from people desperately requesting help with their problems. By the time they contact me, they have sought out countless doctors, medical procedures, prescription drugs, you name it. They are often at a point of collapsewrithing in physical or emotional pain. The truth of their past is burning inside them like a house on fire. But they do not know that. They think they have caught some dreaded disease or virus; they think they are doomed to a life of misery and suffering.