If I Really Tell The Truth

A client of mine told me she didn't want to do a writing exercise I'd recommend because she didn't think it would work.  She didn't like to write.  
It's a simple yet powerful exercise called:  If I Really Tell The Truth.* 
It involves setting aside some quiet, uninterrupted time and taking pen to paper and writing out the prompt 'If I really tell the truth....' and then just allowing yourself to write whatever comes out the end of the pen.  You do this over and over again, at least 25 times and it allows you to get to the root of things you are dealing with pretty quickly.
I asked her why she believed that she didn't like to write and she rattled off a list.  "I always procrastinate when I need to write something.  I hate answering emails.  I don't have anything interesting to say and who would want to read it anyway?"
So, I said, give me an example.
"Well, I recently found out that a relative of mine has cancer and had an operation.  I bought a card but just couldn't get around to writing it and sending it and then finally I did because I felt guilty."
When she had finished I said,  I don't believe that you don't like to write; my sense is there's something else going on here. Let's use the exercise.  Finish the sentence, If I really tell the truth.... 
"I don't even like this relative", she blurted out rather quickly.  " I haven't had any connection with her in years and besides I 'm angry by the way the news was handled.  No one ever called me or sent an email.  I found out about it on Facebook."
How quickly the writing exercise worked, even though we weren't writing.
It's not unusual to say we don't like something, when there's actually something else lurking at a deeper level, something perhaps that's more truthful.
What are you hungry for?
Ingrid
The Irreverent Wise Woman
*If you'd like to learn more about the process "If I Really Tell The Truth" and how to use it, send me an email.