The spoken word does not merely communicate; it possesses a transformative, liberating, and therapeutic potential. It serves as a medium through which emotions can be expressed, shared, and managed, providing a sense of companionship, particularly in challenging situations such as imprisonment. In light of this, the Tenerife Penitentiary Centre (situated in the municipality of El Rosario) established a narrative workshop for inmates in 2014, aimed at harnessing the power of writing. Last Tuesday, a meeting was held with psychologist and author Laura Chica, during which her books offered valuable insights on vital topics such as self-love, self-confidence, and personal development, aligned with the commemoration of International Women’s Day on 8 March.
The event proved to be both enriching and emotional, with workshop participants sharing their most resonant book excerpts with the writer. They raised various questions aimed at enhancing their personal skills to continue their journey of progress and growth.
This initiative was spearheaded by María Victoria Bernaola, the director of the Penitentiary Centre and a friend of Laura Chica. Together they had been seeking an opportunity to host such an event, which finally materialised during the author’s visit to the island for participation in Santa Cruz Technological. “The messages conveyed are incredibly hopeful and uplifting, and they provide great support for individuals who are incarcerated or those who will be re-entering society and facing adaptation challenges. They require guidance from professionals who specialise in emotions and can teach them tools to manage these effectively,” stated the director.
Forgiveness
The meeting took place last Tuesday in the auditorium of the Penitentiary Centre, gathering around 40 workshop students. Laura began the proceedings by reading a random excerpt from her book, “365 Appointments with You.” “She occasionally does this; she opens the book, reads aloud from the selected page, and attempts to internalise its message. It’s always pertinent. At that moment, it’s exactly what we need to hear, and it can genuinely help us,” explained the director during her introductory remarks. And indeed, it was.
“Today is the ideal occasion to apologise for the times you fell short of your own expectations. Opt to accept yourself as you are; embrace your imperfections, forgive yourself, and release the past […]. By finding the capacity to forgive yourself, you embark on a healing journey. There is something within you that aligns, transforming your relationship with yourself and others, altering your self-perception and understanding. Forgiving oneself is a pathway to healing and liberation,” recounted the passage read by Laura Chica.
Forgiveness and the notion of second chances were pivotal themes in many of the students’ inquiries. One participant expressed feeling defined by their past and felt unworthy of new opportunities, while part of her struggled to believe in her value. She sought advice from Laura regarding how to alter her perspective.
“Everyone is entitled to a fresh start. When you genuinely learn to love yourself unconditionally, it follows that you embrace the notion that ‘I deserve all the good life has to offer.’ Life allows us the chance to redefine our existence until our final moment,” Laura Chica reassured her.
Self-love, self-confidence, and personal insight emerged as fundamental pillars in addressing numerous queries. Another student discussed the importance of believing in oneself to achieve success and inquired about initiating change in her own convictions to enhance her life. Laura remarked, “The initial step toward truly believing in yourself is understanding who you are. You cannot place faith in something that remains unknown. Grant yourself the opportunity to look within and discover more about yourself each day; only then will you genuinely start to believe in yourself. When faced with adversity, you will recognise the resources within you to challenge it.”
Self-love also featured as a crucial tool for managing external criticism and establishing boundaries. An additional student raised a concern about practising this in a prison environment. The writer addressed the challenge of maintaining self-love amidst external influences. “That is indeed a challenge; regardless of what comments come from outside, I maintain my sense of self and connection, which helps me find my inner peace,” she shared.
Managing the Fear of Release
Another topic explored was how to cope with the anxiety associated with imminent release and the uncertainty of adapting back into society. The director of the Penitentiary Centre reiterated the importance of self-belief and harnessing one’s abilities. “Within these walls, our aim is for inmates to recognise their shortcomings to address them effectively while understanding their strengths. It’s crucial to trust oneself rather than worrying about others’ perceptions. In fact, I have advised them to consider that before others inquire about their past, to openly discuss it and transcend their personal narratives,” she explained.
Discussions also covered finding balance in relationships, enhancing internal dialogue and resilience, and the importance of changing one’s thought processes in order to attain peace while incarcerated. One student remarked on the necessity of accepting the present moment and living it to the fullest. “It’s about creating the best moment of your day from each activity, free from the internal conflicts that often generate resistance and suffering,” Laura advised.
Laura Chica added another thought: “There came a point when I confronted time itself. I expressed all that I had expected from it, all that it had failed to provide. Yet, time merely observed me attentively and offered these words: you are still here, you’re still on time.”
