A Powerful Read, A Positive Message for Abuse Survivors
In his book, The Roaming Mind, Jeff Nagle assembles a collection of blog posts that chronicle his journey from victimization to survivorhood after enduring childhood sexual abuse. The message in this story is inspiring and brave. The author adopts and seeks to encourage in others, a mentality of strength, the power to overcome the pain of past traumas and to use positive routines to take back control of one's mind and life.
Jeff gives insight into how exposing the abuser, and this shared secret of abuse, is a vital first step on the healing path. His story is raw and honest. As Jeff puts it in the book, "We should talk about things that make us uncomfortable." He's right.
Jeff encourages former victims of sexual abuse, and other forms of abuse, to not wallow in the blame game, or in the injustices many abuse victims witness. Instead, he offers his personal account of how he took these negative aspects and turned them into positive motivations to make change in his community and for fellow abuse victims. Through volunteer work, through sharing his experience in a TED Talk, through exercise and adopting a healthy lifestyle, and nurturing positive relationships with his family and friends, he has overcome his demons.
The message in this book is clear: never surrender, refuse to be the victim, expose the abuse, and win the war within. Jeff Nagle is successfully winning that war, and his shared experience is powerful motivation for others struggling with their own healing after childhood trauma.
Review by Louise Bohmer (http: //www.louisebohmer.com)
