Posted on February 3rd, 2026

The conventional view of leadership is simple: the leader stands at the front, dictates the direction, and everyone else falls in line. But some of the most profound wisdom on influence comes from an unexpected source—and from the …

Posted on February 2nd, 2026

When we embark on a journey of recovery, especially from Complex Trauma (C-PTSD), we are often sold the myth of linear progress. We expect to move neatly from point A (wounded) to point B (healed), measuring our success with …

Posted on January 30th, 2026

There is a particular kind of heartbreak that leaves you questioning everything: the loss of a relationship where you gave your best, only to be met with withdrawal, sabotage, or pain. It can lead you to believe that your love was the …

Posted on January 29th, 2026

When we talk about trauma, we're talking about a nervous system that has been hijacked by a past threat. The resulting behaviors—which often look like flaws or poor choices—are actually highly intelligent, deeply ingrained survival …

Posted on January 28th, 2026

If you're a survivor of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), you know that recovery is anything but a straight line. Some days feel like massive leaps forward, and others feel like you're stuck in the mud. In those moments …

Posted on January 27th, 2026

When we talk about childhood trauma, our minds immediately go to the visible injuries: the abuse, the harsh words, the frightening events. But trauma is not just about the bad things that happened to us; it is also profoundly about …

Posted on January 26th, 2026

We live in an age that demands polished perfection from its leaders. We want our spiritual guides to be flawless, their testimonies seamless, and their lives free of visible struggle. But the deepest, most profound truth about …

Posted on January 24th, 2026

We often use the terms stress and anxiety interchangeably, but they are fundamentally different experiences. Understanding the distinction is vital, because knowing the source of your discomfort is the first step toward managing it …

Posted on January 23rd, 2026

When most people hear the word "dissociation," they often picture someone simply "spacing out"—a momentary lapse of attention, a brief daydream. While spacing out can be a mild form of dissociation, it barely scratches the surface of …

Posted on January 22nd, 2026

We have all been there—the place where the GPS of our life stops working. You feel lost, untethered, and invisible. In those seasons of wandering, we often pray for a map or a clear path out. But sometimes, God doesn’t give us a map. …

Posted on January 21st, 2026

For years, my relationship with alcohol was defined by a ruthless paradox. The reasons to drink were endless and contradictory, a constant, churning cycle that left no room for sobriety. I drank to celebrate, and I drank to mourn. I …

Posted on January 20th, 2026

For survivors of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), a strong emotional reaction often seems to come out of nowhere. You might feel a sudden surge of panic, anger, or dissociation that seems completely out of proportion …

Posted on January 19th, 2026

There’s a certain loneliness that C-PTSD survivors carry—one that doesn’t go away just because you’re in a room full of people. This isn't the loneliness of being physically alone; it’s the profound, isolating loneliness of not …

Posted on January 18th, 2026

We often think of our scars as something to hide—marks of a painful past we'd rather forget. We cover them up, both physically and emotionally, believing they are signs of a brokenness that should remain private. But what if the very …

Posted on January 17th, 2026

We often think of communication as something we do with words. But what if your body has been trying to tell you something all along? In a world that pressures us to say "yes" and push through, your body has its own language of …

Posted on January 16th, 2026

We often talk about healing as a return to a state of being whole. We imagine a process that makes us smooth, polished, and unmarked by our past. But for some, healing is not about erasing the scars; it's about honoring them. She …

Posted on January 15th, 2026

For a long time, you've worn the mask of "the strong one." You've learned to swallow your pain, to put on a brave face, and to be the rock for everyone else. You've convinced yourself that strength is the absence of weakness, the …

Posted on January 14th, 2026

We often see anger as a raw, destructive force—a loud, explosive emotion that erupts without warning. But for many, especially those who have been conditioned to suppress their feelings, anger is not a primary emotion. It’s a shield, …

Posted on January 13th, 2026

When we hear the term "childhood trauma," we often think of physical or sexual abuse. While these are undeniably traumatic, they are not the only causes. For countless individuals, the deepest wounds are invisible, born from a subtle, …

Posted on January 12th, 2026

For many of us, the desire to be liked and accepted is deeply ingrained. We mold our opinions, sacrifice our needs, and say "yes" when we mean "no," all in a desperate attempt to please others. But what if the very act of …

Posted on January 11th, 2026

In our fast-paced, often chaotic world, stress and uncertainty feel like constants. But what happens when that stress isn't just a temporary state, but a years-long environment? Psychology has a clear answer: when people face constant …

Posted on January 10th, 2026

We live in a world that constantly demands our energy, attention, and compassion. Over time, this can lead to a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion known as burnout. While burnout is a well-known phenomenon, a …

Posted on January 9th, 2026

We're all familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse—a colossal wooden horse presented as a gift to the Trojans, only to reveal a hidden force that brought the city to its knees. In life, a similar phenomenon can occur. It’s a …

Posted on January 8th, 2026

We are often told that our stories are defined by our triumphs. But what if the most powerful parts of our stories were actually born in our darkest moments? What if the very things that broke us were also the things that ultimately …

Posted on January 7th, 2026

If you've ever felt like your body and mind are working against you, know this: those reactions aren't flaws. What looks like self-sabotage, shutdown, overthinking, or anxiety is your nervous system's intelligent, albeit outdated, …

Posted on January 6th, 2026

I've been to the edge of death and back. I was told I shouldn't be here, that my story was supposed to end. But God had other plans. He kept me alive, and in that miraculous survival, I was given two of the most profound gifts a person …

Posted on January 5th, 2026

Childhood is a race, and for many women who experienced childhood trauma, they were forced to cross the finish line long before they were ready. This is a form of trauma known as adultification, a process where a child is pushed or …

Posted on January 2nd, 2026

Childhood is a time of rapid physical change, and for many, it is also when the seeds of body shame are planted. Body shaming, which involves mocking a child's weight, appearance, or developing body, is a deeply harmful form of …

Posted on January 1st, 2026

Childhood trauma is often misunderstood as being solely about a single, catastrophic event. But for countless women, it was the chronic, low-grade terror of living in a consistently unsafe environment. This is the trauma of a volatile …

Posted on December 31st, 2025

Childhood trauma isn't always marked by a singular, dramatic event. Sometimes, the deepest wounds are born from what was missing. Emotional neglect is a form of childhood trauma where a child's feelings, needs, and emotional …

Posted on December 30th, 2025

Amid the moment, when things don’t make sense, when you are discovering something new on the path to healing, empowerment, there is often extra energy, perhaps it is a mix of anxiety, anger, or something else. Call it what you may; …

Posted on December 29th, 2025

If you grew up in a home where love was conditional, you likely became a high achiever, a chronic people-pleaser, or a "perfect" child. You learned early on that attention was a reward for good behavior, high grades, or being "easy" …

Posted on December 26th, 2025

Today, I learned about a term that perfectly captures an experience many of us have faced: a lifequake. Coined by author Bruce Feiler, a lifequake is a significant and unexpected shift in the trajectory of your life. It's not just a …

Posted on December 23rd, 2025

After trauma occurs, you may doubt that you know yourself. You may doubt right/wrong. You doubt what you are feeling. You may doubt whether you could have done something to prevent the trauma.

Time may vary, but over time, doubt may …

Posted on December 22nd, 2025

It’s a phrase you hear all the time, especially in self-help articles, therapy sessions, and mindful living blogs: “Just sit with that feeling.”

On the surface, it sounds simple enough. But what does it really mean? And, more …

Posted on December 19th, 2025

In life, we all experience pain. We get hurt, we feel loss, and we face setbacks that can leave us feeling broken. The easy thing to do is to stay in that place—to let our wounds define us, to replay the pain, and to build a home in …

Posted on December 18th, 2025

Childhood should be a time of innocence, play, and security. But for millions of women, it was a time of taking on an adult's role far too soon. This is a form of childhood trauma known as parentification, where a child is forced to …

Posted on December 17th, 2025

When we are hurt. When the trauma is fresh.

We tend to engage in unhealthy functional behaviors while rationalizing them to ourselves that they are suitable for us. We convince ourselves that this little pain is better than the …

Posted on December 16th, 2025

In the aftermath of a difficult or traumatic experience, it’s a common and painful pattern to look back and judge ourselves. We replay our actions, scrutinize our decisions, and berate ourselves for not handling things "better." We …

Posted on December 15th, 2025

We've all felt it—that surge of warmth and trust when you hug a loved one, the profound bond between a parent and child, or the deep sense of security you feel with a romantic partner. These aren't just abstract emotions; they are, …

Posted on December 12th, 2025

More passionate about who I am becoming than who I’ve been. Sometimes, I feel a little heartache for the loves lost, friends lost. Sometimes, I wish that I could regain these relationships. Sometimes, I think that the cost is too high.

Posted on December 10th, 2025

There's a beautiful, profound truth hidden within our most painful struggles. When life feels like it's crumbling, when our plans shatter and our foundations crack, it’s easy to feel as if we're being broken beyond repair. We …

Posted on December 9th, 2025

We often celebrate strength as if it's a prize won effortlessly. We admire those who have overcome adversity and emerge as powerful, resilient versions of themselves. We see the final product—the person who can handle anything—and …

Posted on December, 8th, 2025

Dan Siegel describes cross-generational trauma as the way that traumatic experiences can be passed down from one generation to the next, impacting not only a person's psychological experiences but also their biology. He explains that …

Posted on December 5th, 2025.

Trauma is not a milestone. Just because you experience one does not guarantee the end.

The first time recovering is scary. You don't know what to expect or what to do.

If it happens again, the feeling of fear is familiar yet just as …

Posted on December 4rd, 2025

For anyone familiar with the 12-Step programs of recovery, the first step is clear and definitive: acknowledging that you are powerless over alcohol (or addiction) and that your life has become unmanageable. It's a critical moment of …

Posted on December 3rd, 2025  

When we think of domestic abuse, our minds often jump to physical violence. However, the most destructive and pervasive form of abuse is often invisible: coercive control. Coercive control is a pattern of behavior that seeks to …

It's a common misconception that understanding our trauma is enough to heal from it. We spend countless hours in therapy, reading self-help books, and logically piecing together the events of our past. We understand why we react the way we do—we can trace our …

Posted on November 26th, 2025

A successful life isn’t a fluke; it’s a climb. As the renowned author and leadership expert John Maxwell teaches, the principles of achievement are clear: anything worth having requires persistent, uphill effort. This effort is …

Posted on November 26th, 2025

What did I do to deserve you?
I know I never asked for you.

Oh, how you took me to places that I never knew existed, taking me to a point
where there’s more pain than I knew was possible.

Oh, how you stayed too long.

Oh, what I did to …

Posted on November 22nd, 2025.

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In a world that often teaches us to run from pain, there exists a rare and powerful kind of woman. You might know her—she's the one who smiles after a setback, who speaks with a quiet wisdom born of hardship, and who carries an …

Posted on November 22nd, 2025.

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We all inherit a legacy from our families—a complex mix of traditions, values, and yes, sometimes, trauma. For many, these inherited patterns can feel like an inescapable fate, a blueprint for a life they're destined to repeat. …

Posted on November 22nd, 2025.

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When you are hurt, it is easy to doubt your trust.

Yet, the key to your recovery is this trust in yourself.

Trust that you can do the things that once made you feel strong, even when you do not perform to your standards. Even when …

We’ve all experienced pain. Whether it’s the sting of a physical injury or the deep ache of a broken heart, we’re taught to see pain as something to be avoided, a sign that something is wrong. We’re quick to numb it, distract from it, or push it away. But what if …

We all have moments where we're extra aware of our surroundings, like walking alone at night or in a new, unfamiliar city. This heightened state of awareness is a normal part of our survival instincts. However, for some, this "on-alert" state becomes a constant, …

Trust is natural.

Trust is healthy.

As babies, we develop trust and safety in our parents and caregivers.
When we are hurt, it is hard to trust.
When someone betrays our trust, it is hard to trust again.
One of the keys to recovery is believing that we can …

For survivors of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), making a decision can feel less like a choice and more like a life-or-death gamble. It's a frustrating paradox: despite our intelligence and capability, the simplest decisions can feel impossible. …

Temptation is not to do the work. Temptation is to rest. Yet, to recover, one must do both. It is not a sprint; it is a long-distance endurance marathon. Day by day, you will work harder than you ever have. Yet, in between, you will rest. Do not become …

Trauma has a way of twisting our perception of reality, especially when it comes to relationships. It teaches us that our safety lies in maintaining connections, no matter the cost. We become so accustomed to instability that we learn to tolerate poor treatment …

What if you fail? It's the question that paralyzes us, whispering in the moments before we take a step toward change. For those struggling with addiction, this fear of failure is a powerful anchor, holding them to a familiar, painful shore. But what if we were to …

Embracing the Climb: How to Face Adversity

Adversity is an inevitable part of life. We all face moments that challenge our strength, test our resolve, and threaten to derail our progress. While we can't always control the challenges that come our way, we can …

Whether you still exist beneath scars or if you were the only thing left to Crave.

Whether you are an illusion or the truth.

On my journey of discovering and sharing everything that you took from me, and leaving scars that I shall never lose. Through all my …

Why did this happen to me?

It hurts so bad. I feel… Oh, it is too much, I cannot name it all; it feels like…

I don’t know what to do.

I stop, I breathe for a moment.

I think, do I want to continue to revel in this pain? Do I like this deep ache to be my only …

The Best: A Journey of Unleashing Potential

We all have the capacity for greatness, but sometimes we need a catalyst—someone who sees our potential even when we can’t. The art of bringing out the best in others is a fundamental skill, one that can transform a …

Turning Obstacles into Stepping Stones

Life is a series of challenges. From small daily frustrations to major life-altering setbacks, obstacles are an inevitable part of the human experience. While it's natural to see them as roadblocks, the key to a resilient …

Due to prolonged trauma, the body can develop a protective mechanism known as muscle armoring. This is a chronic, involuntary tensing or contraction of muscles, often without conscious awareness. It's the body's way of creating a physical shield to guard against …

The Cycle of Shame: How Trauma Teaches Us to Hide

Shame is a painful, complex emotion that tells us there is something fundamentally wrong with who we are. For many, shame is not an inborn feeling but a deeply ingrained lesson learned from trauma. It's an …

How you respond to Trauma must Defy logic as well.

You cannot fix what pains you by using what you already know.

Common emotions when figuring out trauma.

What you can do.

It's scary!!! (You're already hurting, and you are doing something new.) It is supposed to …

The Hidden Cost of "Doing It All"

We live in a culture that celebrates independence. We see it as a sign of strength, a badge of honor for those who can navigate life without ever needing to ask for help. But for some, this independence is not a choice; it’s a …

In June of 2006, I was hit by a drunk driver in a Porsche and flew in a Buick. When law enforcement arrived, they told me that I should be dead. I didn’t understand the extent of my injuries until the Adrenaline wore off—pain that made Oxycodone look like a joke, …

The Cruel Paradox: When Trauma Symptoms Get Punished

We've all been conditioned to believe that misbehavior deserves punishment. But what happens when the "misbehavior" is not a choice, but a cry for help? For countless individuals, both children and adults, the …

The Protective Walls: Living Guarded Due to Trauma

Trauma, in its many forms, fundamentally changes how we interact with the world. It doesn't just leave emotional scars; it instills a deep-seated need for self-protection that can manifest as a guarded, …

It is perhaps the most profound and persistent plea in the wake of trauma: "I just want them to admit what they did so I feel like my pain matters."

This is the voice of trauma speaking. It is desperate for validation. It needs an external acknowledgement—a …

I am at peace. I have peace. I have peace with who I am. I have peace with my scars. I have peace with what was once pain.
I fought for so long to fit in. Be accepted. Be normal. Feel love.
I have stopped fighting. I accept my scars. I accept my pain. I accept my …

Gabor Maté has discussed the connection between suppressing emotions and physical illness, stating that the inability to express "negative" emotions, particularly anger, is a consistent characteristic in the lives of people with chronic illnesses. He suggests …

Understanding and treating substance use, trauma, and mental health lie in the relationships. These relationships are demonstrated through what the client shares and how the client acts. Each relationship itself may appear simple, perhaps only linking substance …

What is it?
How does it develop?
Where do we find it amid this hurt, this confusion?

Most athletes know that muscle is torn down in the gym, fed in the kitchen, and built in the bed.

Our trauma feels as though our strength is being torn down.
We feed our strength by …

What is the difference between lust and love?

"Lust says, What can you do for me? Love says, What can I do for you?"

This quote offers a profound perspective on the question. It suggests that the core difference between the two lies in their fundamental …

Published August 26th, 2025

Have you ever felt like you're in a constant battle with something?

Whether it's a habit, a feeling, or a person, the more you try to clamp down and control it, the more it seems to slip through your fingers and take over.

This is the …

Published August 20th, 2025

What is it?

Some people swear it is being alive, the human experience? It is the opposite of happy. During this journey, you may discover a pain that you have never known. A pain that you did not know could even exist. You may wonder …

Published August 20th, 2025

A parent can only give what they have. If a person was raised in an environment where their emotional and physical needs were neglected, where they were exposed to trauma, or where their boundaries were not respected, they often lack …

Published August 12th, 2025

I loved getting into Grandma's knitting as a child. All the pretty colors and how nearly they were wound. Oh, how I enjoyed unraveling the thread; it was so much fun. But, then I would get into trouble & Grandma would make me clean up …

Published August 12th, 2025

Trauma can significantly disrupt a person's ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries. This often stems from the traumatic experience itself being a violation of personal safety and limits, leading individuals to feel powerless or …

Published August 05th, 2025

The Bible acknowledges the reality of pain and trauma in a fallen world. It offers various perspectives on why God allows it, even while affirming His ultimate goodness, love, and sovereignty. It's a complex topic, and scripture …

Published August 05th, 2025

For many, working in an agency is an exercise in tolerating red flags for profit. The true nature of helping people and making a difference is lost.

Red Flags

High Employee Turnover Lack of Transparency from Leadership Frequent …

Published July 20th, 2025

When we dive into the layers of our emotional experiences, sometimes we find echoes of past hurts shaping our present relationships. These reverberations, often subtle, can leave indelible marks that affect how we connect with those …

Published August 05th, 2025

Consider for a moment what it feels like to walk into a space where you instinctively know you’re understood. Imagine that this place honors your experiences, with a palpable sense of safety, and every interaction seems to say: …