6 Trauma Recovery Warriors Who Inspire Me
A list of six trauma recovery warriors I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Every year, the BBC publishes its list of Most Influential Women. Reading this year’s list sparked the idea of creating a list of my Trauma Recovery Warriors. These are people who inspire me to keep going down the healing path, the path where trauma recovery truly is possible. Some are beloved loved ones, while others are people I don’t know but whose books or videos have helped me in my journey.
Through this list, I express my gratitude for those whose examples inspire me to take more steps down the healing path. I decided not to number this list. No one is more important than the other. Each one has in some way contributed to my continued recovery.
My top six trauma recovery warriors
Loved ones
Kathleen Ourganjian Cheeseman
I start this list with the woman who gave me life and raised me, my mother. She is the silence cycle breaker in my family. In my late teens, she revealed to both my grandmother and me that two different perpetrators sexually abused her when she was a child. She comes from tremendous amounts of intergenerational trauma, including both Armenian genocide survivors and victims. She also comes from a long line of people with mental health issues. Despite all of that, she continues down the healing path.
Carolyn Garcia
Carolyn is my mother’s best friend and my second mother. She helped me when I first started walking down the healing path. She experienced tremendous amounts of childhood trauma yet stayed on the path. She believes we constantly grow spiritually and emotionally. I know I can always count on her. Because of her, I understand what forgiveness is and is not. Everyone should have a second mama in their life like her.
Authors
Tara Brach
My therapist loaned me a copy of Tara Brach’s book, Radical Acceptance. As I started reading the book, I realized that Tara, a psychologist, is someone whose books I not only need to read but learn from. She advocates for living a life that does not resist uncomfortable emotions like fear and sadness but embraces them to let them go. Sometimes a book can change your life, and her book is one of them.
"Recognizing the beliefs and fears that sustain the trance of unworthiness is the beginning of freedom."
Laura K. Connell
I am sent many press releases as a freelance journalist. In August, I received one on Laura K. Connell's latest book, It's Not Your Fault. The book helps you stop sabotaging your life. I replied back to the PR person who sent me the press release that I wanted a review copy for my newsletter. I am still reading the book, as it is one that I feel must be read slowly. As a trauma informed coach and childhood trauma survivor, Laura understands recovery.
"Letting go of what people think and following instead what fulfills you will go miles forward in reducing the inner critic. You move away from the world's definition of success and closer to your own."
Thomas Keating
Thomas Keating was a Catholic monk who helped spread the contemplative practice of centering prayer. I discovered his books three years ago, and I have since read and re-read them. He understands trauma recovery and writes about how prayer can help us heal. I am currently slowly re-reading his book, Invitation to Love.
“The work of following Christ is like working with a psychotherapist who has a clear insight into what is wrong with us. With incredible accuracy, God puts His finger on exactly the spot that needs attention at this precise time in our spiritual growth. If we are hanging on to one last shred of possessiveness, He comes along and says, often through some person or event, “Won’t you give this to Me?”
Influencer
A few years ago, I stumbled upon Barb Schmidt's Instagram videos on topics ranging from dealing with emotional manipulation to life lessons. In her videos, Barb gives off a wonderful mother-knows-best vibe. I enjoy watching each video and always learn something that I can use. She is also the founder of Peaceful Mind, Beautiful Life, a community outreach program featuring workshops and weekly teachings, and hosts a podcast by the same name.
“Outer peace begins with inner peace.”
Who are the trauma recovery warriors who inspire you? Leave a comment and let us know.
Resources
It’s Not Your Fault by Laura K. Connell
Invitation to Love by Thomas Keating
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Thank you for this excellent list of trauma recovery warriors, some of whom are new to me! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.