Wounded, But Never Broken

Imagine being homeless at the age of nineteen, living out of your car, trying to save enough money to secure an apartment. But each time you make some progress, your kidney condition prevents you from working, therefore losing job after job. Imagine, the downward spiral continuing, as your kidney condition forces you to go to the hospital where they won’t allow you access because you don’t have healthcare insurance. Imagine, by the grace of God, the doctor on duty overheard your medical situation, finds you in the parking lot, and hands you medicine. Therefore saving your life. Imagine having to shoplift for food to satisfy your hunger. And one day, while walking down the street, you notice a clothing store, see a beautiful garment on sale and immediately start to ponder ways to add this to your collection of stolen food items you keep in your car. Who could blame you? In your mind, you believe that life has given you so many ups and downs that stealing is more survival than committing a crime. Imagine in the dressing room; you have a life-defining occurrence. A moment of self-discovery that reminds you regardless of how bad things might seem irrespective of how bad the journey has gone, the struggles, the disappointments, and the horrible behavior of others; that the hands wrapped around your garment are your hands. Your hands might feel small, weak, and in need, but they are your own, and you are “Never Broken.”

The story above does not have to be imagined. Because it is based on the life of American singer-songwriter Jewel Kilcher, who, after examining the garment in the clothing store, reminded herself, she was “Never Broken.” Kilcher would go on and write a hit song detailing the power of your own hands.

Jewel Kilcher is a brilliant, beautiful, and powerful woman who has seen acts of kindness of others, as well as the actions of betrayal by her family. Yet has never allowed her bad days to destroy her spirit. She has dedicated her life to mindfulness and “making happiness a habit” with her Never Broken Website, which is “an emotional fitness destination that gives you the tools you need to create change in your life.” Jewel speaks from a place of grace and experience, as she had to find resilience despite all the obstacles to cultivate her happiness and success. Jewel never allowed the setbacks to hinder her inner self-confidence in her quest for fulfillment and the accountability she took for shaping the life she envisioned for herself.

We need to use Jewel’s life story, as our inspiration to remind us, that we control our actions. We control our happiness. And we control our life. Just as Steve Jobs wanted to use his mentors to launch the rebirth of Apple Inc. Jewel is the perfect truth-teller mentor not to allow jealousy, ego, or bitterness to keep us from being mindful of the wonders of life. We can all get up off the ground when knocked down. We can all keep fighting for what we want because nothing can break us. While we might become wounded along our journey—we are never broken.

So the next time you breathe, genuinely focus on your breath while discovering your inner peace and realizing wisely and earnestly, you are Never Broken.

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