Unveiling the Heart: A Journey Toward Healing and Authenticity

"Healing is allowing the child we once were to smile again… not because everything is fixed, but because we are finally listening to them."
— Edwin Gil

In recent days, I’ve immersed myself in the creation of my new art series focused on the heart. It’s a magical process of self-reflection that has led me to confront my past, embrace my present, and shape a more authentic future.

Healing is a long and complex journey—especially when we avoid embracing the inner child who still carries unhealed wounds. It’s normal to return to old habits, to familiar spaces that no longer serve us but feel safe. But through the process of accepting who I am with compassion and love, I’ve felt a sense of security returning. That child, once rejected, now smiles and feels at peace.

One of the most powerful moments in this healing path has been receiving messages from people who connect with my journey. They share their stories, their emotions, and they see themselves reflected in the work I create. This reminds me of the time I was giving a talk at a school on diversity. Before me, one of the speakers was a former model who had survived burns on 90% of her body and now dedicates her life to motivational speaking on acceptance and difference.

She shared how people often judge her on sight—how exclusion stems from a lack of empathy. After our presentations, she came to me and said something I will never forget:

"I'm sorry, Edwin, for what you've been through. At least when people see my burns, they know something happened to me. But in your case, no one can imagine what you've endured."

I thanked her deeply. I told her that sometimes people say I shouldn't share so much about my life, that it's better to keep things quiet. She looked at me and replied:

"Never let anyone dim your light or your truth. People like us came into this world with a mission — to feel, to share, and to help others reflect. Sometimes we’re here so others can appreciate their own lives, or to help them face the scars they hide from the world out of fear of being judged or rejected."

Since that moment, I understood that vulnerability is a form of strength.

This inner journey has brought up doubts, questions, and fears — and that’s okay. We are programmed to seek acceptance, to belong. But we must not hide who we are. We must embrace that inner child, acknowledge their gifts and fears, and love them as they are. That’s how we move forward.

Now, whenever I witness a reaction — in myself or others — I pause and ask:
What is that inner child afraid of? What is hiding behind that response?

Healing is not a destination, it’s a path.
And along that path, there is much to learn…
There are scars to honor, emotions to embrace…
And a heart to unveil.