Heal Your Mind to Free Your Soul: Our Souls Journey, #2

By Stephen Bradley-Waters

The author of Losing Your Mind to Find Your Soul, and A Father's Daughter book series contemplates our life purpose, trauma, love, destiny, spiritual transformations and the meaning of life.

He exposes the corruption and greed that consumes society, reflecting on our lives, pondering our happiness, and whether the lifestyle most of us live by makes us happy or merely an illusion. With introspection, most feel bound and shackled with barely any freedom to do what we enjoy as our time is consumed by the mundane.

He delves deeper into healing, overcoming problems, discussing the meaning of life, and societal issues, and pursuing dreams and aspirations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Bradley-Waters
• Release date: Feb 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224807604

Book preview

HEAL

YOUR

MIND

TO FREE YOUR SOUL

STEPHEN BRADLEY-WATERS

ISBN:9798818200125

First Edition

First Edition: May 2022

This paperback edition first published in 2022.

All rights reserved.

Written by Stephen Bradley-Waters

For humanity.

Books by Stephen Bradley-Waters

A Father’s Daughter Series

A Father's Daughter

A Heartbroken Daughter

Our Souls Journey Series

Losing Your Mind to Find Your

Heal Your Mind to Free Your Soul

Inspire Your Mind to Enlighten Your Soul

TABLE of CONTENTS

Introduction

A Life of Excuses

Healing and Forgiveness

Children

The Past Doesn’t Define Us

Kindness

Life Isn’t a Competition

Strength

Boundaries

Understanding Who We Are

The Pursuit of Happiness

Expectations

Self-Respect

Love and Romance

Time and Energy

The Mindless Pursuit of Money

Keep Moving Forward

Outgrowing Circumstances

No Regrets

Self-Control

Follow Your Path

Rejection

Independence

Anxiety and Depression

Losing Faith in Sadness

Distractions and Social Media

Society and Culture

Death and Transformation

Delving Into Spirituality

Ready For Success

Special Thanks

Introduction

Like most people, I have had my fair share of hardships through difficult circumstances. While some people manage to overcome their trauma, others live continuous nightmares. I have shared my healing journey through writing, social media, and audio and video content. I don’t want people to feel like there’s no way out of their predicaments, with no light at the end of the tunnel. When we lose hope, it’s hard to find the light again, but when we believe in miracles, the impossible can become possible, and life transforms. We must pick ourselves up and take action towards our desires.

Healing is complex and not for the faint of heart, as we need to go deep within our souls, unravelling why we do what we do? and why things happen? Often, events weren’t our fault, but people projected onto us due to their fears and insecurities. However, consequently, their behaviour caused deep suffering to others, who then find themselves lost in a void of despair.

People wonder how I overcome situations and maintain a firm resolve, believing in myself no matter the chaos and the projections others put on me. Writing this book was my way of helping people heal and reveal a way forward with considered actions, no regrets, and recognising that how others perceive us is none of our business. If we love ourselves entirely, then the opinions of others are irrelevant, but we need to be grounded in that belief, not saying it for effect, but believing and feeling within our soul. 

I say it like it is. Sometimes the truth hurts, but nothing changes if we can’t be honest with ourselves. All of us are unique, and our dreams are different for each of us. Most people seek recognition or even fame and fortune without the foresight of the burden; lack of privacy and inability to trust people are a couple of consequences. So, there are reactions to everything. With deeper introspection and thought about what we desire the most; loving and being loved is significant for happiness. To have all the money in the world and no one to share it with would be rather sad, so balance is key to every decision.

People often work themselves to death to pursue wealth and stability with to improve their lives. However, time is precious and usually the last thing anyone considers. If time is a gift and the one thing we can never get back, then why take it for granted? We lose so much of it to build a future when the reality is that we may die before then, which is a sad reality indeed. Life is full of many hypocrisies and misconceptions, but when we slow everything down and think clearly about who we are? why we are here? And what we want? Everything becomes more apparent. 

I intend to guide people from my experiences, share how I overcome certain situations and demonstrate that we can change our lives. I’ve helped people through mental health episodes and suicidal intentions while overcoming traumatic circumstances of my own, including my daughter’s abduction. I fought through family court against lies, manipulation, and accusations of emotional abuse, which wasn’t easy.

Rather than allow the drama to consume me and make me feel like life is a lost cause, I decided to share my story, so others don’t suffer the same trauma. Along the way, I have accomplished unimaginable goals, so from trauma and adversity, I achieved my most significant accomplishments, and yet there is still more to come as I relentlessly pursue my goals and dreams. 

I believe that the situations and obstacles throughout my life have given me the experience needed to help other people overcome their difficulties. I learn from trauma and past mistakes, continuing to heal and grow. If I can overcome many things, then so can other people.

Trauma and adversity are not the end of the road. I have witnessed courageous people who have also overcome trauma, making bold and brave decisions that changed their lives for the better.

To relocate and start a new journey and a new beginning may be heartbreaking and challenging for some. However, I watch the beauty coming into people’s lives. Of course, they can’t see that in the chaos, but I can see the next phase of their transformation, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, because I have been through similar myself. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. 

I often see the beauty in chaos. If we give up when life gets hard, we’re missing out on the new beginning and that incredible transformation. Life doesn’t have to end on a sour note. We can transform any situation into a positive one, which is beautiful. 

When we decide to change our lives, we learn a lot about ourselves and our strength. We all have an inner strength, but many people try to bring us down, make us feel inferior and take that shine away. Our success makes them feel insecure. 

Controlling our lives makes narcissists feel powerful. There are too many people power-hungry in this world, and that is something that needs to change. Life is a blessing when we take back our power. 

At the time of writing, my life isn’t perfect. There’s still much missing; romance, my daughter’s return, and improving finances, yet I am happy and content. I’m proud of what I have accomplished and imagine what life will be like when it all comes together. There is always something to look forward to and be inspired to heal and grow. So, come with me on this journey to explore the pursuit of happiness.

A Life of Excuses

I focus on living without excuses and balance, which is crucial. We all have the same hours within a day. How we choose to spend them is up to us, and we are responsible for the decisions we make and, ultimately, the consequences of those decisions. For instance, rather than seek a balanced life, I could choose not to write this book. Without balance, time gets away from us, and if we look to make excuses for failing at every opportunity, we merely live a life filled with excuses. 

I set myself goals, and move unapologetically towards them, whether people understand or not. Often people are jealous of my drive, ambition and accomplishments, but I complete what I start. I never make excuses.

I take ownership of my failures and successes. I’m not perfect and believe me, I’ve allowed many distractions to sway me off course, but since I embraced a new life with the focus on fulfilling my potential, I balance what I want to accomplish and hobbies and entertainment. We need both; a life of just work and work is exhausting, and the will to carry on would wane as we need to lighten up along the way.

Losing too many hours to hobbies and entertainment which don’t elevate us to succeed is a failure in life. It’s not about money but our souls’ growth and pride. We owe it to ourselves to make ourselves happy. We are responsible for our fulfilment. To be proud of ourselves is a rare accomplishment.

We tend to fall into traps where we stagnate and hinder our potential, remaining in unfulfilling jobs because it’s convenient and stable. Allowing even a moment a day to dream, and take small actions towards goals, can provide an opportunity to accomplish something outstanding and ultimately head towards a prosperous life.

However, if we don’t take those steps, nothing will change. The predictable and the mundane will continue day in and day out. While we can distract ourselves for periods, our self-esteem and willpower diminish. Without realising it, we chose a life of giving up and turning away from our passions and talents.

It’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves, and most people do, but it serves us no purpose aside from vindicating in our minds that life isn’t fair and there’s nothing I can do about it when, we have all the tools within us to alter our lives. Change doesn’t come easy.

Breaking toxic patterns and addictions takes incredible willpower and, more importantly, time. Time is crucial with change and progress; however, so many people give up when they don’t see immediate success and fall back into their old patterns; again, feeling sorry for themselves.

If we take a mindset that focuses on uplifting ourselves and inspiring ourselves to greatness, imagine the life that would bring. We hinder ourselves, often basing decisions on illogic, gaining confirmation of our choices from other people. In reality, we would never wish to exchange lives with them, so instead, look to those who push forward and are making progress. 

The key to success is deciding whom to surround ourselves with and whom we choose to let go of. People often keep us where they find us comfortable. Chaotic people will keep us stuck with them, while those striving for success inspire, so we need to consider where we want to be and whether the people in our lives are hindering and seeking too much from us. Families are just as guilty as friends and colleagues. 

People who have given up on life or find excuses when things get hard will tell us that our dreams are impossible because they cannot succeed. If we have the determination and commitment to strive for the life we want, then we should go for it. We have the power to change our lives.

I witness too many people live with excuses, and I’m blunt and honest enough to tell them directly. They always respond the same, You will see! Honestly, I would love to see myself proven wrong, but they don’t realise that change takes effort, willpower, and sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone. 

When someone always gives a reason for holding themselves back, I’ve seen enough. I always look forward and consider the future. I don’t lean on people to make that happen. I do it myself, and I don’t feel sorry for myself along the way. 

What does someone’s actions say about them? Self-pity is a pity in itself because if someone chooses to do something about their circumstances, it can change, but feeling sorry for ourselves isn’t going to change anything. For instance, let’s say someone constantly plays video games for hours and hours, all day, every day. We all have vices and sources of entertainment, but when something meaningless takes hold of our life, leaving no room to do anything else, then that person’s life is entirely predictable until they break the cycle. Listening to someone who lives that lifestyle continually makes excuses reveals the life they will have, and no amount of You will see will change the outcome. 

They will float through life, missing opportunities, placing too much importance on entertainment that feels as though it is part of their world. Many of us do chores, go to work, and follow our passions, providing a positive daily routine of meaningful accomplishments. In contrast, others stifle their growth and lose themselves entirely to a make-believe world, which unhealed will stop them from accomplishing anything worthwhile.

Balance is the key, and understanding that a hobby and entertainment should be brief and part of a reward to us for a day of accomplished goals, rather than a day entirely void of anything meaningful. I’ve been there myself, where video games have consumed my days. However, I healed and transformed, on my own, because I knew that I wanted to do more with my life, and repeating daily habits would not get me where I wanted to be.

Like many others, it is merely an addiction and fun, but so many people don’t recognise how destructive it is if left unhealed. We waste too many hours, and life passes us by, but alas, we can change, accomplish our goals, and fulfil dreams when we put that same energy towards ourselves and not the distractions.

Video games are an excellent example of distractions, especially in my case, as they consume me for an extended period. However, we must not stigmatise it, as in moderation, it’s fun, rewarding and challenging, and it’s not the only distraction.

For example, a wife may complain that their partner plays video games, watches sports and doesn’t give her attention; however, she fails to realise or take responsibility for her vices and obsessions; her mobile phone. It’s not about blaming anyone, as that rarely gains results, but healing ourselves and demanding the life we want to be happy with an awareness of what we are doing too. 

Communicate expectations and desires, and if people heal with us, then great, but if they don’t, we must decide what we want and what we are willing to put up with because we owe it to ourselves to be happy. It’s not for us to be responsible for someone else.

Too many people try to place their difficulties and failures onto others, but we all finish school at the same age, have the same hours within a day, and it is up to us to make our own decisions and live with the consequences. If we make mistakes and wish for something else, our responsibility is to take steps toward those desires.

Looking on at others’ lives and feeling jealous because they made better decisions isn’t going to change anything, and it’s not for them to fix our situations. If we feel stuck and stagnated, then we must constructively do something about it. 

People shouldn’t have to suffer for someone else to be happy. I always support people going for their goals and don’t feel jealous when they accomplish what they set out to do, even if it’s above me. Their success is not my failure, and we can often learn from each other. 

Witnessing someone doing something positive with their life, and achieving their goals, should be inspiring and potentially a way maker to do something similar, rather than competition. If we all aim to