Healing Beauty: A tribute to Brother Blue Storyteller

During the course of my journey at Harvard University, I had the opportunity to meet a character of a man named Brother Blue Storyteller, also known as Hugh Morgan Hill, PhD.  After a brief dialogue with me- a stranger in passing on the on the corner of Brattle Street and Appian Way, Brother Blue decided that a name change for me was in order. Upon me, he bestowed the name "Beauty." 

By the time Bro. Blue issued my new name, I was captivated not only by his wisdom, but his charm. Sold on whatever else this stranger had to say to me or anyone else, I began to walk with him and his wife to their destination although I had my own. 

As we strolled through Harvard square, Dr. Hill was gracious enough to share with me many words of encouragement. Yet, to this day, his parting words resonate within my heart like an inextinguishable flame:
                                                          Beauty looks at them, and they are healed. 

Today, as I reflect on love, life, and the 'why' behind my motivations, there is so much that comes to mind. I think it, however, most important to be transparent and share that it is not the joys, but the pains and tears that I have experienced in my lifetime that weigh heavily in my soul. For it is the sorrow, disappointment, and hurt that we experience that bring about a need for healing.

While it has been nearly seven years since my chance meeting with Dr. Hill on the snow plowed streets of Cambridge, a recognition of self and others has come through his words.

Beauty looks at them, and they are healed.

It is my desire in life to be an inspirational motivator to women, men and their children to strive for whatever lies further than their wildest goals for themselves. In my experience, however, I have learned that many times it is the hurt and pain that keep them from taking such a journey.  They need healing before one step can be taken on their destiny toward greatness.

But what about me?

This is where the 'aha-moment' arrived.

I have been hurt.

I have been disappointed.

I've experienced my share of sorrow.

In my reflection of all of these things, I uncovered a hidden message in Bro. Blue's prophecy to me.

I am 'they'...
I am 'them'.

And here comes the message:                                                            
                                                               Before I can usher in healing, I must first be healed.

Translation(s):

Beauty looks at [me], and [I am] healed....[I look] at [myself], and [I am] healed.


People, this message could go so much further than a blog post, but there is a key takeaway that someone may need to experience right now in their lives:  Sometimes in the midst of our pain brought on by the low points in our lives, we are desperate for healing.  Whether emotionally, spiritually, or physically, we are paralyzed in our journeys because of situations,circumstances and the aftermath that they birth.  What I learned today, however, is that while we are waiting on healing, sometimes we have got to do what Brother Blue's seven year old, underlying message suggests: 
Look at yourself.

Look at your life.
Look at what you have overcome.
Look at who you have become despite the pain.
Look at what you do every day to make the world a better place.
Look at how uniquely created you are.
Look at those things that only YOU can do.
Look at how you take care of others.
Look at how you are STILL here even though your circumstances should have taken you out a long time ago.
Look at how you have kept on waking up each day to do what you do.

Look at ALL of these things....and in them find the healing that you have been so desperately waiting on.
Encourage yourself to see that you are beautiful...
and Beauty, look at yourself...
and be healed.


                                                                                                                                                                     Rest peacefully, Dr. Hill
                                                                                                                                                                                             ~Beauty