A scripture asks...
Can a leopard change his spots?
Can an Ethiopian change his skin?
Two rhetorical questions
But can a sociopath change?
Can the abuser change?
Can a narcissist change?
Can the abused change?
I believe that yes, we can
But it isn't easy
It's like cleaning a giant vat
Filled with molded stew
Broken hearts
Broken souls
Broken bodies
Decades of collection
The stew is toxic
The mold can kill
Do I wear goggles and a mask?
What about a hazmat suit?
Once shielded from toxic vapors
Light a fire under the vat
Hot enough to simmer the
Contents
Stir and mindfully extract what I can
Pausing to honor each broken piece
That floats in the simmering
Collection
Once the stew has boiled down
Fire and iron having cooled
Climb inside and scrub
Mindful of that which once was
Despite the hazmat suit
Take in a deep breath
Climb out and sanitize the vat
Preferably with sunlight
Once sanitized
Discard the protective garments
Breathe in fresh scents
Feel the warmth
Bow my head and honor what was
Knowing this is an ongoing project
Before the toxic mold sets in
Acknowledge the expansiveness of life
No longer confined to a vat
