Hot Fudge Sundae
I began writing my newest book, Healing Without Forgiving: A Hero’s Journey for Dissociative Survivors, about three years ago. It’s been a long road from conception to publication.
The kernel of my idea took root and grew with lots of changes along the way. It began as a critique about forgiving perpetrators but morphed into a book about healing.
Somewhere along the way, I knew it was supposed to be a workbook, not a traditional nonfiction book, and I added exercises and illustrations.
I wanted other people’s ideas so I asked Dissociative Writers to fill out questionnaires, sit for interviews, and attend focus groups. A lot of people helped me give birth to this new creation.
January 13th of this year was the pub date and I spent the month in four unique launch events. First was meeting with a class of pastors at Wesley Seminary who were studying for the Doctor of Ministry degree. The name of the course was “Narrative Collapse and Restoration” which I thought must have been named for us (how descriptive of our decompensation and recovery!). The next was the Dissociative Writers Launch Party with Kay, Gabby, and Brandi giving their two cents on the topics of hero’s journey, forgiving perpetrators, and healing. I gave a talk on “The Hero’s Journey for Dissociative Survivors” at An Infinite Mind’s Speaker Series after that and, finally, led my last event at my local Lutheran Church in Las Cruces called “Let’s Talk About Dissociation.” This last may have been the most stressful for me because who wants to air your past with your friends and neighbors 😵💫 🤪 😬???
But I did. And it was well-received! And I survived!
After it was over, I sent my husband out for strawberry ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream. In my humble opinion, I deserved it. I walked through the fire and came out unscathed on the other side.
Sharing our stories with the public is not something we do lightly. Before going out on a limb, we assess the benefits and risks. In my case, I’m old, retired, and well-situated with a loving husband and many good friends. It hasn’t always been that way and there were times in the past when I would never have ventured forth. But here I am, today, grateful to be a part of the re-education of the general public about dissociation and chronic childhood trauma.
Besides, a hot fudge sundae was worth the risk!
📫 Last month, I posted the Healing Wheel from Healing Without Forgiving and asked what part of the Wheel was resonating with you in the moment. Judie wrote back and suggested that I left out a spoke for people who’ve experienced programming through ritual abuse and mind control: de-programming. How true. If that is a part of your history, you can add that spoke yourself as a part of your healing process and journal about what that entails. Thank you, Judie!
Today’s question is kind of fun. What have you done lately that makes you deserve a hot fudge sundae, or a pizza pie, or a trip to the bowling alley, or something else that is “calling your name”?! What reward do you want and why do you deserve it? Send me your ideas because you DO deserve a treat even after the smallest gain. I’ll share them in the next newsletter.
You are a Hero!
ORDER TODAY ON AMAZON OR BARNES & NOBLE
🕊️
Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it.
~ Fyodor Dostoevsky
Lyn