In a mythical realm not far from your own inner struggles, you will find travelers in these pages who join you on your sojourn. A noble prince who falls under the sway of a destructive dragon allows you to feel the process of recovery from self-defeating behavior. In another parable, an enchanted mirror leads a princess to mistakenly believe she is grotesque. Eventually she discovers her true identity.
These parables not only help us see our wounds, but they also show us how to mend that brokenness. Something about a parable whispers to our hearts and helps us embrace truth into our lives. We feel the emotions of the story, we grasp the difficulty of the road ahead, and we carry with us the pictures of the parable to encourage us in the choices we face.
Written for adults on a personal growth journey, these parables speak to the heart as well as the mind. Self-defeating behavior, codependency, inner child work, boundaries, depression, self-concept, loss of childhood, recovery from childhood abuse, dysfunctional family interactions, fears, anxiety, unhealthy group victimization, forgiving and letting go, loss and grief: many of these apply, if not to you, then to someone you love. Even issues that may, on the surface, have nothing to do with you, carry parallels in your own life. Your dragon may not be addictive or compulsive, but you know the talons of self-defeating behavior. Your uncle may not have danced with you in the dark, but you have felt betrayed by someone you loved.
Similarly, the gender of the main characters is varied, but the truths apply equally to any gender. There are many male codependents, many women who were the angry scapegoats in their families, and many men who were molested as children.
The parables are particularly useful in opening feelings that have been closed off. So ask yourself as you experience the parable, “What am I feeling? What part of the story brought this feeling? What is the parallel in my own life?”
A section for personal reflection follows each parable. These pages involve you through writing, drawing, imagining, meditating, and other experiences designed to lead you toward more wholeness in your life. Feel free to skip exercises you don’t feel ready for. And, if at any time you feel overwhelmed by memories or emotions sparked by a parable, please talk to a good friend or counselor.
Since any journey is better with company, you might consider going through the parables with a friend, Twelve-Step sponsor, or support group. The book lends itself to either individual journaling or group exploration. For those wanting more information on group use, please see Appendix 1.
You may be an avid reader of recovery or self-help books, but the parables often reach a part of you that lecture-style books do not. Or, perhaps you don’t enjoy reading and aren’t familiar with recovery principles. The parables will refreshingly introduce you to personal growth without boring or overloading you with “psychologese.”
You may be a new traveler, only recently having discovered the road to wholeness. You are eager to learn what is ahead and how to get there. Others of you may be seasoned travelers but would appreciate some encouragement on the long trek. It is, after all, a never-ending journey. The longer we travel, the stronger our injured souls become, the fewer the pitfalls we stumble into, the more beauty we notice around us. May these parables help you enjoy your own wondrous sojourn.
Melinda Reinicke.