That’s a rap, on the first poetry book release by Rochelle Soodyall, setting the tone for a celebratory day at Liberte Restaurant in Craighall.
The director of Apptechnix Consulting and mother of two teenagers, launched her deeply personal and inspiring book, This is the First Poem I Wrote. The event marked a significant chapter in her journey of self-love and healing.
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Soodyall’s children, Shaili and Mataio expressed their pride and admiration for their mother. Shaili shared, “I’m extremely proud of her. It took her four years to complete her journey, and I think it’s very well done.”
Mataio added, “She’s developed from how she was in the past. She’s a better person, she loves herself a lot, and it shows. She gives off positive energy. This book is a big achievement for her because it means a lot to her, and I am very proud of what she’s done.”
Reflecting on a transformative event that occurred four years ago, Soodyall shared, “This was everything that I needed. It felt as though I had been navigating through life with blinders on, and suddenly I saw the sun shining again – a genuine ‘a-ha’ moment.”
This poignant revelation led her on a path of introspection and self-discovery, ultimately culminating in the creation of her book.
She revealed that the traumatic event within her family was the catalyst for her exploration of self-love and healing. She embarked on a quest for answers, only to find that healing had been within her all along. This journey, marked by pivotal moments of unlearning cultural conditioning and societal expectations, helped her reconnect with her true self.
The book is more than a personal narrative; it is a self-help guide designed to inspire readers to embrace unconditional self-love. She emphasises the importance of self-acceptance, advising, “Understanding that you are the most important person in your life and that if you are happy, you are most likely to spread this joy. Don’t say yes when you mean to say no.”
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Her journey is enriched by practices like meditation, which help her maintain mental clarity amid a busy schedule balancing motherhood and her career. Rochelle believes that self-love should be as natural as breathing and encourages facing uncomfortable emotions head-on, viewing them as the soul’s language.
One of the book’s profound lessons is the importance of rejecting the ‘people-pleasing’ persona. Soodyall shared a key moment in her journey: “I believed that love was always conditional and that I had to always make someone happy to be loved and accepted. This left me with an empty cup. Connecting with ourselves unlocks the answers we seek.”
Hoping her book will resonate deeply with readers, Soodyall wants them to identify recurring patterns in their lives and understand their origins to initiate change. “To change these experiences, you need to identify with the source of your pain.”
Her advice to young writers is as empowering as her book: “The beauty of life is that there are fresh experiences and untapped opportunities. Believe in yourself and let go of the control. There are signs everywhere. We just need to listen out for them.”
This is the First Poem I Wrote is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her candid reflections and hard-won wisdom offer readers a roadmap to self-acceptance and inner peace, encouraging them to embark on their transformative journeys.
