I used to have a love-hate relationship with words. I hated them because, after being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, I developed a deep fear of using them. Every time I had to read or write, that fear would creep in. But on the flip side, I loved listening to words when my mum or someone else would read to me. Hearing the words come alive and jump off the page into my imagination was magical.
Since finding my way into the rooms of AA and working through my fears by doing the 12 steps, that fear of words has completely disappeared. I became open, and that openness has changed everything for me. In fact, my favorite word is now “open.” I love how it pairs with other words: open-minded, open-hearted, open-armed, and open-ended. These are all things I never used to be. I was closed off, ruled by fear, which caused me to run and hide in a bottle, living in a world full of negativity and hardship. Today, I’ve opened the doors and windows of my mind and soul, and I approach people, places, and things with openness. Life no longer feels like a constant struggle; instead, it’s full of rich experiences. Not every moment is sunshine and roses—some are painful and sad—but because I live with an open heart and mind, and my arms are always open, I now see each experience as an opportunity to learn, grow, and give or receive love.
We all have a limited time on this earth. We are born, and one day, we die. What really matters is how we choose to experience the time we have in between.
Words
Once, words were foes,
A fear that grew with every page.
A silent terror, a heavy load,
A prison of my own making.
Yet, in the spoken word,
a magic, A world alive, a vibrant stage.
A mother’s voice, a soothing tonic,
A refuge from the written page.
Through steps of healing, fear did flee,
A newfound openness took its place.
“Open,” a word that set me free,
A key to unlock my inner space.
No longer closed, no longer bound,
I greet the world with open arms.
In every moment, joy is found,
A tapestry of life’s rich charms.
We have a time, a precious gift,
To live, to love, to learn and grow.
With open hearts, we’ll lift the rift,
And let our spirits freely flow.
