This book is a companion to "The Woman I Love: Surviving, Healing and Thriving After a Childhood of Sexual, Emotional and Physical Abuse."Becky Norwood believes that journaling, putting pen to paper to write your story, combined with expressing oneself through art is an incredible tool for healing. Childhood sexual abuse is most often perpetrated by someone the victim knows. It happens to both boys and girls.Domestic Violence is also perpetrated generally by one we once loved. If you, or someone you know is experiencing abuse or has in the past, know you are not alone.This happens in epidemic proportions in our world and the pain that it leaves us with is incredible. Our goal is to not only create awareness, but more importantly share a message of hope and healing.There are many studies that show that abuse survivors often suffer from many self destructive issues as adults. Many are broken and struggle to find wholeness.We are here to say that you are NOT alone. That healing IS possible. There is quite a movement happening right now. A movement of women and men rising up and speaking out.The beauty of this is that in there is an amazing healing that takes place from the writing and sharing of your story. As we write, and as we have shared, we found that we began to write ourselves a new story.We begin to see things in a different light. We begin to forgive, first and foremost ourselves, then others who were involved. We feel that forgiving is something that must be done for ourselves.In that process, we begin to love ourselves...a key ingredient to transforming our lives into not just healing, but thriving in life.If you are on a healing journey already, you will enjoy this book series, as positive reinforcement.Watch for our next book in this series that is dedicated to all abuse survivors.This book, "We Choose to Thrive: Our Voices Rise in Unison to Spread a Message of Healing and Thriving for Sexual, Emotional and Physical Abuse Survivors" In this book you will find chapter after chapter of women telling their stories of healing and how they came to a place of peace and are now thriving in their lives. This book is expected to publish in October.There are many resources available to us to begin our healing process. There are organizations such as www.RAINN.org that have been instrumental in guiding many people to find immediate help, and measures to begin healing. RAINN provides key information of what to look for if you suspect that someone you love is currently being abused, and describe the after effects that plague us as adults until we take measures to heal.www.TheWomanILove.com
About the Author: Becky Norwood endured sexual, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her father from very early childhood. It was to last for many years. Yet, she is a tribute to the unstoppable spirit that guides her life daily and has kept her not just alive, but living a full and rich life. Through a PhD in the school of hard knocks and experience, she has come to thrive in her own right. Becky will be the first to say that healing and self love does not happen overnight. In overcoming depression and low self confidence, coming to a place of both loving and more importantly forgiving herself for the role she played has been critical. Forgiveness is something you do for yourself. Understanding that we "Do Not Owe Our Past a Place in Our Future," Becky makes conscious decisions daily as to how her life will be each day. "The Woman I Love" is a work of heart for Becky and she feels that it could just as easily be titled "The Man I Love." She says that statistics are that one in three girls and one in five boys are victims of incest and abuse, therefore healing steps must take place regardless of our gender. The damage causes lifelong issues than can color ones world miserable for an entire life, unless steps towards healing are diligently followed. One of the greatest tools she has found is finding the courage to speak up, to tell her story. Becky feels that: "Each human alive is a constantly unfolding story, a hero in a novel that no one else can write." She feels that we owe it to ourselves and future generations to speak our truth...essentially, leaving a legacy. As with those who have gone before her, she has witnessed firsthand the power of putting pen to paper not only to set oneself free, but to expose a travesty that occurs daily in our society. Currently Becky works with other women to help them craft their stories. As with herself she has had the pleasure of watching others find peace through the telling of their stories. Indeed, why have we lived on this earth unless it is to share our own experience, perhaps sparing someone else who has gone through the same and need their own light to shine.